How to get a pair of designer jeans for $6. . . .

Awhile back (early December, in fact), I took a bunch of clothing to two local consignment stores. Last weekend, I finally had a chance to visit one of the stores to see if anything had sold. As it turns out, I had $90 in sales! I could either choose 40% in cash or 60% in store credit. I was leaning toward the cash until I found a pair of designer jeans that *almost* fit me - luckily they're a brand (Joe's) that stretch and stretch and stretch, based on past experience.

So I bought 'em and only had to hand over $6. Granted, I 'spent' an additional $54 of store credit but that was based on the sale of clothing I hadn't worn in years. So I consider this to be a good deal, especially since the length of these jeans is perfect and being rather petite (5'4") that's a definite plus! And, after two days of wear, they've already stretched out to such a degree that I don't feel like they're too tight in the waist or hips. Begone, muffin top!

I still have to make a visit to the other consignment store; perhaps I'll that next weekend and see what's on the books for me there. . . .

The shopper's high. . . .

Last weekend, I made a trip to a local mall to visit Barnes and Noble. I'm trying to lose the ten pounds I've gained since moving to Portland, and find that I just don't have time to get to the gym every day. I chose a 20 minute workout by Jillian Michaels, one of the trainers on The Biggest Loser. So far, it's giving me a run for my money!

Anyway, it's been quite some time since I've wandered through a mall, and I felt my anxiety rising with each step. Although my head swiveled to the left and right as I passed interesting stores, I successfully avoided stopping in at my favorite pre-Compact stores (Banana Republic, The Gap, Ann Taylor Loft. . .) but ended up walking past a couple of stores that brought back that credit card itch! I'll admit to making a quick detour through the shoe section at Macy's on my way out of the mall. Luckily, nothing truly caught my eye---and I was happy to turn my back on the springtime displays of strappy sandals and peep-toed flats.

I re-entered the outside world with a "Whew! I made it" attitude. But why was I lured in the first place? I felt like a diabetic sitting at a dinner table with a giant chocolate cake in front of me.

As part of my night job, I routinely read articles from all over the world, and although frugality and simple living aren't part of my target focus, it's impossible to pass up a headline like: Why spending money is like a drug. Researchers showcased in this article found that the perception of higher salaries (and spending money) actually activates a part of the brain termed the "reward center". Although this particular article focuses primarily on how our 'reward center' is activated when we perceive that we have a higher salary (regardless of inflation), there is a secondary reward when we purchase an item.

This might explain why there is an actual term for compulsive shopping, called Oniomania. For example:

"Victims often experience moods of satisfaction when they are in the process of purchasing, which seems to give their life meaning while letting them forget about their sorrows. Once leaving the environment where the purchasing occurred, the feeling of a personal reward has already gone. To compensate, the addicted person goes shopping again. Eventually a feeling of suppression will overcome the person. For example, cases have shown that the bought goods will be hidden or destroyed, because the person concerned feels ashamed of their addiction and tries to conceal it."

This is exactly how I racked up so much credit card debt (except I never destroyed my purchases---though I did sometimes deny that an item was new if someone asked). When I'd had a bad day, when I was depressed, when I felt fat, or ugly, or any other negative emotion, I often turned to the mall to assuage my feelings. Interesting, then, that researchers have recently found that anti-depressants like Prozac can actually help 'cure' people of overspending!

Luckily, I've made a commitment to both The Compact and to not adding useless charges to my credit card. I never again want to be in a position where my credit card payments are larger than my deposits to savings and investment accounts. I can't say it's been easy, though, as my recent trip to the mall illustrated. Maybe someday I can walk through a shopping center without feeling anxious about not spending anything. I do know that even when I find a used item at the Goodwill or some other used clothing store, I feel a momentary thrill--and that, for now, is more than enough for me.

A Goodwill find. . .

Late last month, I went on a quick tour of the Goodwill store located closest to my work, which also happens to be a 'high quality' Goodwill. Meaning that any designer items or even higher priced clothing (such as Banana Republic castoffs) will be funneled to this particular store. Of course, the prices at this store are also quite a bit higher than at other Goodwill locations around town. In spite of the high prices, some good deals can be found.

For example, I've been on the search for a good pair of jeans---I like the designer stuff, but I'm not willing to pay more than $40 dollars for a pair of jeans. Hence, I wear a lot of Gap, Old Navy, and Banana Republic jeans.

However, on this particular day, I came across a pair of 'Joe's' jeans at the local Goodwill. They fit me well, the length was perfect with boots (difficult when you're only 5'4"), and they were in good shape. At $29.99, they were more expensive than I'd expect from a used clothing store, but I thought it was worth it.

Upon arriving home, I checked the Macy's website to see how much this particular brand generally sells for. What I found was astonishing! These fairly run- of-the-mill jeans typically sell in the $155 to $175 range! Unbelievable (I would NEVER spend that much money on a pair of jeans). What this means is that by shopping in a used clothing store (even a more expensive one), I saved approximately $140, or about 80% off retail!

Another free giveaway. . . .

The Thrifty Chicks is having a March 'Thrift-Ya-Away', in which Ms. Shopping Golightly and her thrifty partners post a daily thriftstore find, to be given away at the end of the week. All you need to do is post a comment on the post with the item you like.

At the end of the week, Ms. Golightly's daughter will pick a number out of a (likely thrift-store) hat and voila! You are the proud owner of a lovely thrift store item. I will admit that I commented on yesterday's post---I love the color red AND cashmere, so I couldn't resist!

Thursday's give-away. . .

Don't forget, it's not too late to click over to The Thrifty Chicks website and leave a comment to win a super-cool thrift store find! Today's item is a bracelet that retailed for $98 (the tag is still attached) and that Ms. Shopping Golightly found for a mere $3.99 at the Goodwill!

Learning about these things makes me question why I ever buy new at all!

A Thrifty Chicks thrift-ya-away. . .!

The Thrifty Chicks, a blog I visit regularly (especially now that I'm committed to buying used this year), is offering an entire week of opportunities to win surprisingly hip thrift-store items, simply by leaving a comment on the website.

Hmmmm? What's that I hear you saying? "Yuck. Why would I want some old moldy thing that nobody else wants anyway, and that probably sat around in a dusty bin for ages"? Well, judging by Monday's giveaway (or should I say 'thrift-ya-away'), Ms. Shopping Golightly and her thriftstore partners find some pretty amazing stuff.

Case in point: this lovely pillow (very likely new), which Ms. Golightly found for a mere $2.99 at her local Goodwill:


Now, I ask you: wouldn't you leave a comment on The Thrifty Chicks website to have a chance at that beautiful pillow? I surely would (and probably will)! Here are the rules, per Ms. Golightly herself:

"To win this pillow, leave a comment to this posting pledging that you will visit one thrift store within the next seven days. Each comment equals a pledge to shop at one store. So, two comments equals visiting two stores. I trust you to be honest for this does after all benefit charity.

My daughter, Little Pie, will draw a number from a basket, if it matches your post number, you win!Don't forget to leave your email address. The deadline for pledges to thrift is Monday, February 9th. If you are living outside the United States, Ms. Golightly will humbly need to negotiate a shipping fee. She is, after all, quite thrifty and is sponsoring this thrift-ya-away on her on savings.

New items will be posted each day through Friday, the February 6th!"

Now, go forth and comment!

Frugally attired. . . .

This past weekend, I purchased two outfits, and spent a total of $19.99!! I made an effort to go to several local thrift stores, to check them out for future reference. Since my goal this year is to purchase used whenever possible, I felt that I needed to get a better sense of the locations and conditions of some of the local stores. That way, when I need something in a rush or I'm looking for something specific, I'll have a better idea of which stores will have what I want.

About a year ago, I read about a thrift store called 'The Dig', which has two locations in the Portland area---one in Oregon City, and one in Milwaukie. I have also heard good things about a huge Goodwill store in the Lloyd Center area, but which I've never been able to locate before.

So, early Saturday morning, I looked up addresses and mapped my route on GoogleMaps. I decided to swing by the Oregon City location first, then head through Milwaukie before continuing back into Portland---this seemed to make the most sense as far as efficiency and saving time.

I'm happy to report that I scored!

At 'The Dig', I purchased:

• A suede skirt by J.Jill for $3

• A sheer, soft turtleneck sweater by Frenchi (a brand sold at Nordstroms) for $3

• A denim skirt that fits perfectly (by Bass), also for $3

• A tank top (to go under the sheer sweater) for $1

At Goodwill, I purchased:

• An almost new black turtleneck from Banana Republic, my most expensive item at $9.99.

I wanted a pair of designer jeans, which were selling for $39.99 ($75 to $85 new). However, the bottoms of the legs were frayed in the back, so I asked for a discount. Since they'd been put out on the floor within the week, I wasn't able to discount them, and therefore didn't buy them---$40 is pretty expensive even for NEW jeans, in my world.

What did I learn? I was surprised to see that there were clean, contemporary items that I liked, that I know I'll wear, for less than $5!!! I'll definitely be visiting The Dig again, as well as stopping by Goodwill from time to time(there's also a 'high end' Goodwill in downtown Portland, which is nice but more expensive).

When I made my mind up to follow a modified 'Compact' this year, I was a little anxious---I haven't thrift shopped regularly since high school (and at that time, we were all trying to look as if we were wearing used clothing!) I think I'll enjoy this endeavor more than I anticipated, if last weekend's foray is any indication.

Of note: I did purchase a used coffee carafe to replace my broken one several weeks ago, which, when jerry-rigged with another lid, can be used in my coffee maker. At the Goodwill, I found a Cuisinart coffee carafe that was PERFECT---except for a worrisome crack at the bottom. I left it there, but will keep looking.