Money, Mindfulness, and Marketplaces
Money is a sore subject for most people, especially college students. We’re known for being scrappy and having a good time with little to no grasp on financial wellness.
As someone who has moved around a lot in the last couple of years, I have to get rid of stuff and find new things to furnish apartments. Here are some of the best places I have found to buy and sell in college on a budget.
1. Clothing
Being in Auburn, it’s difficult to keep up with boutique and fast fashion or feel like you must stay on-trend. This isn’t always affordable, or sustainable. Some of the ways to combat this are shopping at thrift stores, consignment stores, and selling in group swaps. These all offer different types of items at all different levels of affordability.
One of the other benefits of getting second-hand clothes is helping to combat fast fashion, while also being kind to the environment.
Another great way to get clothes secondhand is to borrow. I know a lot of people who swap dresses for sorority events and use GroupMe to buy and sell clothes.
2. Furniture
Shopping for apartment furnishings is one of the most chaotic things for a college student to do. You can get furniture from home, hand-me-downs, and Facebook Marketplace. I’ve found that purchasing second-hand furniture is much more affordable, and it’s a lot more fun. Some of my favorite finds have come from Facebook Marketplace. In a college town, you’ll always be able to find something you like between families moving and graduations. Some people even drive around the week after finals to pick up free stuff that people have left out on the side of the road for others.
Some of the ways I’ve been able to set boundaries with money during my time in college may or may not work for others, but keep reading for examples of things that work for me.
When it comes to food, I’ve found giving myself a budget and a meal plan has helped to keep me from overspending and wasting food. I also try not to eat out a lot, even though that’s one of the most common things to do as a college student.
I try not to buy anything brand new if I can help it. This includes clothes, furniture, and appliances among other things.
Another thing that helps me save more is not making “instant” purchases. I try to keep a list of things I want versus things I need and debate those items for a bit. This helps me to realize things that may not serve any purpose after a certain amount of time.
Overall, there are many things that revolve around money as a college student, but there are many ways to enjoy life on a budget. I hope these examples inspire you to hit up one of the thrift stores around Auburn or scroll through Facebook Marketplace before buying “new!”
Be well, Auburn.
