Debt Free By Consignment

— Niya Allen

I have seen the light! Well, sort of! I’ve told people that I’m not on a shoestring budget, but a floss budget!

I am working on getting out of horrible relationship with Sallie Mae!

I have a large amount of student loans that are a thorn in my side! I have been praying about ways to speed up the payback process, while not going without the things I need and sometimes want.

The answer? Thrift and consignment shopping! Spring is upon us and I’m not financially able to walk into a store and spend hundreds of dollars on new fashions, so this is my way of having the best of both worlds.

VH1 has a new show called “House of Consignment” that spotlights a million dollar Chicago based Ebay store that sells designer clothes and accessories for a fraction of the cost.

It’s great to see Jimmy Choo pumps going for $110.00! I’ve noticed that at New York City thrift shops, you can find designer duds for as little as $6.99! What? Where have I been?

Shows like The Nate Berkus Show and The Rachel Ray Show has embraced thrift store finds with regular segments showing viewers how to redesign their homes and wardrobes. As a child, I absolutely hated thrift stores!

My grandmother would take my sisters and I bargain hunting for our school clothes, while we were praying to get clothes that wouldn’t get us teased on the playground.

Who would have thought that two decades later, I would be so excited to go on thrift shop treasure hunts.

If you are financially strapped for cash, consider consignment shopping as a way to cut costs tremendously and put that extra money towards the debt. Here are some resources to get you started.

http://lookingflyonadime.com/

http://www.thebudgetfashionista.com/

http://www.thelooksforless.com/

http://thriftstoreconfidential.com/

http://www.cheapchicdaily.com/

http://www.rashoncarraway.com/ – Mr. Goodwill Hunting (seen on the Nate Berkus Show)

Happy Hunting!!

For the LORD your God will bless you as He has promised you, and you will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow; and you will rule over many nations, but they will not rule over you.

Deuteronomy 15:6