The Tale of the Three Dollar Sweater

So in the last year, I had gotten to a point in my life where I just hated clothes shopping. No, scratch that, I had gotten to a point in my life where I DETESTED clothes shopping.

In theory, clothes shopping used to sound pretty awesome to me, initially. I would think: "wow! This is gonna be great! I'm going to get some new, fresh threads and really spice things up!"

Yet, when I left all I ever thought was: "Never again."

Shopping, for me, often culminated in an experience of trying on fifty different items to find one possibility. Often times, the one possibility would turn out to be extraordinarily high-priced and beyond my budget. The result usually yielded a frustrated me leaving the store in a huff and choosing, instead of new-clothes shopping, to hide the rips and mysterious stains of clothing long-ago.

This was all before I discovered the majestic art-form known as "thrifting." I had no clue what I was missing out on before!! Some of the cheapest stores end up having the best, basic pieces and I was so wrong to have thought otherwise. I have attached a few, basic pieces of advice to commence in basic "thrifting." They are listed below



THRIFT SHOPPING BASIC RULES:
1) Know your budget. As previously mentioned, I often designate a budget that will not hurt my monthly expenses for clothing shopping. From this point, I carry cash because, to me, it's more tangible. Also, once my budget is established I don't spend a penny more. I buy the things I won't stop thinking about and leave the one's I will.
2) Know your discount retailers. Give stores like Ross, Walmart, and Goodwill a try for your clothing basics. Know which store best suits you for each need. For instance, I know that Ross can be hit or miss with professional wears. Yet, I also know that they sell economical, quality fashionable shoes at all times. If I need a pair...Ross is my first stop shop.
3)Know your coupons. This last part is oh so important. If I could stress one thing that is the most essential to thrift shopping this would be it. With so many online couponing sites now offering retailer discounts and discount codes, the savings are endless!!!

The latter rule, of the thrifting basics, produced a pretty great deal yesterday that I must share with all of you. Within our mail, earlier this week, we received a coupon for a Burlington Coat Factory grand opening event. The coupon, pictured below, offered a $10 discount off any purchase of $10. These types of coupons are truly the best because they do NOT have a minimun purchase price which often-times encourages you to spend more than you originally anticipated.

I've been looking for a flattering, Fall-inspired Thanksgiving sweater to wear home during the holiday's. Luckily for me, the Burlington Coat store had been laid out with easy to see, accessible racks that made the shopping experience feel comfortable and doable.

I found this little baby, that fit like a dream, for $12.97.

On it's own, this is not a bad deal, but a couponers work is never truly done. I provided my grand opening coupon and got $10.00 off the purchase price. With tax this made the purchase price:

THREE DOLLARS AND SEVENTEEN CENTS!!!!!