18 Tips for Buying Used Clothing

The Get Rich Slowly Blog gives tips for saving money on buying used clothing.




PS
I do have one question. Does anyone have advice for buying used clothing for big guys? I'm a large man, and there is never any big and tall clothes at the thift stores in my area.

A friend requested I check out ebay, but it's slim pickin's there too.

Any advice?

Recessionista

The October 08 edition of Business Week has an interesting side bar, defining "recessionista".

The magazine says the terms is in Glamour magazine, the Irish Times, and everything in between to describe a "modern sort of girl who is trying to survive the credit crunch the best she can."

The word was coined in 2001 with a different meaning entirely, referring to the people that constantly predict economic downfall... with the flair of "Henny Penny."

Truth be told, I think my "recessionista" at home is quite sexy when she saves me money!

Frugality is fast becoming a hip trend, as Salvation Army and Goodwill outlets report growth of 6 to 15 percent this year.

Bargain Basement TJ Maxx is also expected to make a pretty chunk of change this year as well. What do you know? 

Maybe my book will have to go into a second printing!

What is a Recession?

Now that they have officially declared that the US has been in a recession since December of 2007, the stock market is reacting with it's typical (as of late) downward spiral.

So what exactly is a recession?

Wikipedia says that a recession is a contraction phase of the business cycle, or a "period of reduced economic activity"

but what does that mean for you and me, and our own economic activity?

The key is to start making steps to live within our means.

Don't spend more than you bring in, and find ways to make extra money if you need to.

If you have money in stocks, it doesn't mean the best solution is to take that money out. Sometimes it's best to leave the money in a mutual fund, and wait for the markets to turn back up.

We've had four recessions since 1980, and we've recovered from each of them.

Be prepared for company downsizing. Your job may be in jeopardy, so prepare accordingly. Start saving as much as you can, to get you through any job loss or potential loss of income. Dust off that resume, and be sure to update it with your most recent employment history. You don't need to start sending it out yet, but you might. Read up on unemployment benefits, so that you know the ins and outs of the system, just in case you need to file for them in the near future.

Resolve to live simply. Cut down any bills and expenses that you have and can live without, so that you can save more, just in case your income does drop.

Don't listen to those that tell you to "spend" to get out of a recession. But if you must spend, spend responsibly. Shop locally whenever possible, to support local and small businesses that might not be able to survive without your support. Do you really want to help the rich get richer? Skip the mega-mart and support main street whenever possible.

Beating the "Blue Christmas" Syndrome

Don't let the Christmas Blues get you down.

Here's seven ways to keep your holiday simple, and make those blues "red and green"

1. Make a list, check it twice - Instead of the mad dash to the mega-mart, throwing items in your cart left and right, make up a shopping list, and do your best to stick to it. In fact, why not get your WHOLE holiday organized with Flylady? Download and print off her Holiday Control Journal here. Zoe does this every year. You wouldn't believe how much simpler it makes the holidays!

2. Remember the reason for the season - Why do we celebrate Christmas? Birthdays were not even celebrated at the time Jesus was born! Why did this holiday originate? The reason Christmas resonates with us is that it's about giving, and sacrificial love - (God loved the world so much, He gave His only Son...) Remember that Christmas is not about fancy presents and credit card bills. It's about giving love...

3. Count your blessings - The holidays are a natural time to reflect and be grateful. Make a list of all of the things you have to be thankful for.

4. Relax - Don't stress. Sit on the bench at the megamart, take a break, make funny faces at the little kids when they walk by. Enjoy some time in the dark with your sweetie with only the Christmas tree lights.

5. K.I.S.S. Keep it simple stupid! - Have a family meeting. Work with the whole family to set a reasonable family budget for Christmas. Make sure that budget fits your budget! Don't go into debt going crazy at Christmas. Instead, determine how much (or little) you are willing to spend on your family, and decide to stick with it. Don't spend 600 dollars on plastic toys that will break and end up at the bottom of the closet before next year. Buy timeless, meaningful gifts that your family will enjoy.

6. Grieve - Sometimes the holidays are hard for those who are missing loved ones. It's okay to cry, to hurt, and to grieve during the holidays. Don't feel bad about it. Find someone to talk to about it - a counselor, a pastor, a friend, a spouse. Write down some of your favorite holiday memories of your lost loved one. Don't feel bad about feeling bad. It's normal, and expressing those feelings will help you through the process.

7. Give Back - Find a local charity that you want to support, like your local Salvation Army. Volunteer to serve as a family at the local soup kitchen. Buy a goat for a family in Africa. ( Find out more at Samaritan's Purse. )

The Brown Bag - "An Excellent Source of Happiness"

When you are headed a couple hours away, or across town, and you know you will be away from home over dinner time, the temptation to stop for at the Pizza King or the Burger Hut for dinner is huge.

Why not plan ahead a bit, and pack some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the family?

Sandwiches, a piece of fruit, some crackers or pretzels and a bottle of water can save quite a bit of money, and it can help take care of that hunger feeling.

Stop by the park to eat your picnic lunch with the family, or pack a couple stickers, or a little toy in the kids' lunchbag, so that they can enjoy the excitement of a "Happy Meal" without making your wallet unhappy.