Photo from amarillo.comBy: Rachel Nelson
Budgeting money is something most college students struggle with, but knowing where to shop can help.
"Everyone is looking for a good deal no matter how much money they have," said Joseph Ramirez, owner of Got Junk Thrift Store, located at 522 SW 16th Avenue.
Ramirez understands first hand that one man's trash can be another man's treasure. "I grew up really poor," he said. "Thrift stores were a way for me to get the things I needed and some of the things I wanted."
Ramirez said he will box up people's junk free of charge to sale in Got Junk. He tries to keep his one of a kind store fun by appealing to a younger crowd.
"Everyone is looking for a good deal no matter how much money they have," said Joseph Ramirez, owner of Got Junk Thrift Store, located at 522 SW 16th Avenue.
Ramirez understands first hand that one man's trash can be another man's treasure. "I grew up really poor," he said. "Thrift stores were a way for me to get the things I needed and some of the things I wanted."
Ramirez said he will box up people's junk free of charge to sale in Got Junk. He tries to keep his one of a kind store fun by appealing to a younger crowd.
"We get a lot of younger people," he said.
Besides Got Junk's every day bargains, each Monday the store offers all items for half price. "I found this is more of a hobby for people. It's an outlet. It's therapy," Ramirez said.
By shopping at thrift stores, college students can quench their shopping habits without putting a huge dent in their savings account. Thrift stores provide a variety of items including books, shoes, appliances, furniture, clothing, jewelry and toys.
People go thrift store shopping for different reasons. Local shopper Candace Campbell chose to browse through the clothing racks at America's Best Thrift & Discount, located at 1600 Washington Street, when looking for a pair of white hospital scrubs.
"I start my CNA class on Monday so I have to find white scrubs," she said. Although she doesn't usually shop at thrift stores, Campbell found what she was looking for. "I come here when I don't want to spend a lot of money," she said.
Local resident Patty Brown frequents thrift stores in Amarillo. She referred to herself as the "thrift store queen" while scavenging through the aisles of Thrift Town at 10th and Monroe. Brown shops at thrift stores for a different reason than most.
"This is my job and I resale things on the Internet," she said. Brown said she collects $700 to $1,000 per week reselling items she finds at bargain prices.
Not only can college students save big while shopping at thrift stores, they also can earn extra cash by starting an online business reselling used items. Brown hits garage sales on the weekends in search of resalable items, keeping an observant eye out for anything Italian. "Italian brands sell really well," she said.
Surgical Technology major Carlee Garst buys groceries at Panhandle Salvage Grocery Store, located at 5811 S. Western Street. "Panhandle Salvage is the best for cheap food," she said. "Everything's on a budget. We pay our bills and we have $80 left over for gas and groceries so we have to split that to make sure we get everything covered."
Garst also turns to the Sunday paper to cut out coupons.
"I probably save about $50 every two weeks with coupons and shopping at thrift stores," she said.
By shopping at thrift stores, college students can quench their shopping habits without putting a huge dent in their savings account. Thrift stores provide a variety of items including books, shoes, appliances, furniture, clothing, jewelry and toys.
People go thrift store shopping for different reasons. Local shopper Candace Campbell chose to browse through the clothing racks at America's Best Thrift & Discount, located at 1600 Washington Street, when looking for a pair of white hospital scrubs.
"I start my CNA class on Monday so I have to find white scrubs," she said. Although she doesn't usually shop at thrift stores, Campbell found what she was looking for. "I come here when I don't want to spend a lot of money," she said.
Local resident Patty Brown frequents thrift stores in Amarillo. She referred to herself as the "thrift store queen" while scavenging through the aisles of Thrift Town at 10th and Monroe. Brown shops at thrift stores for a different reason than most.
"This is my job and I resale things on the Internet," she said. Brown said she collects $700 to $1,000 per week reselling items she finds at bargain prices.
Not only can college students save big while shopping at thrift stores, they also can earn extra cash by starting an online business reselling used items. Brown hits garage sales on the weekends in search of resalable items, keeping an observant eye out for anything Italian. "Italian brands sell really well," she said.
Surgical Technology major Carlee Garst buys groceries at Panhandle Salvage Grocery Store, located at 5811 S. Western Street. "Panhandle Salvage is the best for cheap food," she said. "Everything's on a budget. We pay our bills and we have $80 left over for gas and groceries so we have to split that to make sure we get everything covered."
Garst also turns to the Sunday paper to cut out coupons.
"I probably save about $50 every two weeks with coupons and shopping at thrift stores," she said.
When shopping at any store, looking at the bargain racks first is a helpful hint when it comes to being resourceful.
Business Administration major Sabina Domagala said she makes the clearance racks a priority when shopping.
"I shop on the clearance racks first then I look at the more expensive items," she said.
Domagala has another piece of advice for ladies who like to shop.
Business Administration major Sabina Domagala said she makes the clearance racks a priority when shopping.
"I shop on the clearance racks first then I look at the more expensive items," she said.
Domagala has another piece of advice for ladies who like to shop.
"Take a guy and have him pay for it," she said.
Shopping online is another way to save money. There are many bargains to be found in cyber space, it just takes browsing to find them.
English major Staci Hayes is a frequent online shopper.
"That's pretty much the only way I shop besides clearance racks," she said.
Hayes takes advantage of Web sites that offer free shipping.
"The other day I bought a three dollar bikini top with free shipping," Hayes said. "Wal-Mart online is really cool because you can look at the stuff they don't have at their store. They ship it to the store and then you can pick it up there, so it's always free shipping."
Some of Hayes' other favorite online shopping spots include Old Navy and American Eagle.
"I shop at Old Navy because they have $5 shipping and they have clearance stuff that you can't find in the stores," she said. "American Eagle sends you coupons in your email so you can get all their clearance shirts for three to six dollars."
Regardless of a student's financial situation, Crown Financial Ministries recommends slating a budget because it can be a beneficial strategy to staying out of debt. Students can figure up what they spend on rent, utilities, car payment, insurance, gasoline, laundry, savings and other expenses.
"I always write everything down. I figure how much each check is going to be and how much we have to spend on bills and then how much we're going to have left for anything else," Garst said. "If you budget everything it's a lot easier I found out. You don't get your account overdrawn."
By comparing what is spent each month on bills and other necessities to the student's total income, what's left can be used to treat oneself to a shopping spree at their favorite store.
Shopping online is another way to save money. There are many bargains to be found in cyber space, it just takes browsing to find them.
English major Staci Hayes is a frequent online shopper.
"That's pretty much the only way I shop besides clearance racks," she said.
Hayes takes advantage of Web sites that offer free shipping.
"The other day I bought a three dollar bikini top with free shipping," Hayes said. "Wal-Mart online is really cool because you can look at the stuff they don't have at their store. They ship it to the store and then you can pick it up there, so it's always free shipping."
Some of Hayes' other favorite online shopping spots include Old Navy and American Eagle.
"I shop at Old Navy because they have $5 shipping and they have clearance stuff that you can't find in the stores," she said. "American Eagle sends you coupons in your email so you can get all their clearance shirts for three to six dollars."
Regardless of a student's financial situation, Crown Financial Ministries recommends slating a budget because it can be a beneficial strategy to staying out of debt. Students can figure up what they spend on rent, utilities, car payment, insurance, gasoline, laundry, savings and other expenses.
"I always write everything down. I figure how much each check is going to be and how much we have to spend on bills and then how much we're going to have left for anything else," Garst said. "If you budget everything it's a lot easier I found out. You don't get your account overdrawn."
By comparing what is spent each month on bills and other necessities to the student's total income, what's left can be used to treat oneself to a shopping spree at their favorite store.
Hellyeah to return to Amarillo December 16