Many of us enjoy the sense of retail therapy. Whether it’s a designer bag or a backpacking gear, I love buying shiny objects in the store or picking them up on the front pouch. It’s a temporary hit of dopamine.
According to Bankrate’s 2024 discretionary spending survey, two in five Americans (38%) receive debt for discretionary purchases.
However, with the possibility of a third of recent tariff activities and recession, some people are taking their spend seriously.
A survey from Smarty shows that two in five Americans (40%) switch to cheaper brands, while half (50%) are preparing for economic change while considering second-hand alternatives.
And there are environmental impacts to consider when celebrating Earth Day. Find out more about how rifthingting can help your wallet and the world, and how to swipe at your local consignment store.
What is the savings and how will it help your budget?
Savings, or second hand shopping is when you buy used items for just a few minutes’ cost. Lucky Recycle Shoppers can also find new items in tags or in the original box.
I indirect in a variety of ways in thrift stores, real estate sales, clothing swaps, online markets like Depop and Facebook Marketplace. For a year, I set up a resolution to buy second-hand items whenever possible. This lifestyle choice saved me thousands of dollars on clothing, furniture and other items.
After all, I might be in something. Capital One Shopping reports that Thrift Shoppers saves an average of $1,760 a year.
Bankrate writer Shannon Martin recently bought a second-hand item for her daughter. She originally planned to go to the nearest IKEA. This is a 30-45 minute drive to Canada for her. However, in light of concerns about rising borders and prices, she instead began searching in the Facebook market.
“On the weekend, we jumped out of people who said they had a lot of furniture shrinking or that they had bought replacements ahead of tariffs,” Martin says. “I got a dresser for two nice desks and a $100 dollar.”
A survey by Capital One shows that while only 16-18% of Americans shop at Thrift Stores today, second-hand apparel sales are on the rise, with an expected increase of 11% each year until 2028. If you’re focusing on your bank account and navigating the fluctuating economy, second shopping is the way to help with your budget.
How to spend less by shopping second hand goods
A budget consists of two main things: income and expenses. In the face of financial difficulties and debt, one (income) or the other (expenses) may need to increase. Some people start side hustles to pay off their debts. Others cut costs by cancelling subscriptions, reducing meals, comparing premiums, reducing utility bills, changing travel plans, and doing bargain shopping.
The best way to track these changes is to use your monthly budget. By splitting your income between monthly spending categories, you can ensure that you are not spending more than you earn. After deducting fixed costs such as rent, utilities, food, etc. from your budget, the remaining money can be used for savings, debt payments and discretionary expenses. Clothing, furniture and other used clothing are often found in that third category. Indirect shopping in part of your fun budget will help you to help with less money.
By reducing discretionary slices of PIE, more money remains towards emergency fund or credit card debt repayments.
How does saving help the environment?
It is also worth considering the social responsibility of second-hand shopping in anticipation of Earth Day on April 22nd. According to Capital One Shopping, the majority of shoppers (85%) think it’s environmentally friendly.
Buying second-hand clothing and household items can help your environment in one or more ways. It reduces the demand for new items that require natural resources and labor – sometimes unethically – produces. Instead, when you land in your closet or living area, you will lock items out of the landfill. As Capital One Shopping reports, it reduces your carbon footprint by around 25%.
Trends such as awkward and defluencing also resist traditional consumerism. Some may be catching up to Jones, but others have made fewer purchases and don’t follow social media influencers who push products to their followers.
Credit cards for rift
If you’re a regular recycling shopper or are ready to be one, it will help you have a credit card that rewards your spending habits. Here are some credit card picks for recycled shopping.
Conclusion
If you are worried about money due to macroeconomic factors and personal budget items such as income and debt, you are not alone. According to 2025, which deals with Bankrate’s 2025 debt survey, about two in three Americans with credit card debt had to delay financial steps like savings and investing. Second-hand shopping is one way to reduce costs without sacrificing style. And you can put those savings into repayment of debt and settle for emergencies or recession preparations.
Information about Wells FargoAttune℠ cards is collected independently by Bankrate.com. Card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.
Information about Bank of America products was last updated on April 15th, 2025.
