How to Encourage Teens to Shop Secondhand and Save Money

Right now we are all in a cost-of-living crisis which is why now is a great time to teach our teenagers why thrifting and second-hand shops are good.

In recent years thrifting has become much more acceptable and mainstream, it is a great way to find unique pieces at affordable prices.

Buying second hand is really important for environmental impact and more teenagers are taking this into consideration when shopping for new clothes. We are understanding more about the fast fashion industry, carbon footprint and the benefits of thrift shopping. Our young people want to do their bit but don’t necessarily know how and why thrifting is good.

In this post, we are going to make suggestions on how young people can be encouraged to support second-hand shopping or thrift shops as they are often called. They can be a great place to find clothes at a fraction of the price you’d expect. Look for lightly worn clothing items and great pieces. Over the years I have found some absolute steals in charity shops including the brands that the teens want like Tommy Hilfiger, North Face and more. I have even been featured in the national press as a charity shop expert! This makes me qualified to give you the best tips on buying second hand. 

If you are stressed about your child’s spending habits and want to help them be more responsible, this article is perfect for you. As a parent, you know how essential it is to shop secondhand especially if you are on a tight budget. And now it’s time to teach your teenager that amazing skill and bring a used item back to a new life! 

Excellent ways to encourage teens to shop secondhand and save money :

1. Sit down and prepare a back-to-school shopping budget – Before starting shopping for anything for school, sit down with your teenager and prepare a budget. Experts have proven that teens spend less when they have a strict limit on how much money they have. Make a list of everything they will need for the school year and decide how much money to give them.   Give kids a little extra so they can buy things they like. A proper budget is the first step towards a successful back-to-school shopping session on the budget. Also ask your children if they know what secondhand shopping is, and if they would be interested in doing it. That way, they will feel more excited to shop with you for secondhand products. 
2. Take them along when you shop secondhand – Before teens understand how shopping secondhand can be amazing, they need to see you do it first. We are our teenagers greatest role models so we need to lead by example. If they see us buying pre-loved clothing they are more likely to do the same. Seeing their parents save money and getting nice things cheaper will encourage them to try shopping secondhand. So before back-to-school season starts, take your teenagers along when shopping for secondhand goodies. Let’s help them pick out a few things at the store and see how much money they can save. Let them explore the store independently and understand how secondhand shopping works.
3. Stay away from malls and big-brand stores – Teenagers especially often get influenced by online trends and think they can only find the best options at malls and big brand stores. It’s time to teach them that shopping at local shops can be just as fun and successful. Not to mention that this will also help you stay away from said stores. Make it a rule to avoid visiting malls in the first few days of back-to-school shopping. Instead, encourage your teens to check out your favorite local brands. Take them around the city to find new favorite stores and brands that sell secondhand products. This will also help them find more unique options to try and also help them save money. Point out that the brand names will be in secondhand shops or charity shops. 
4. Find online stores that offer secondhand options – In today’s digital world, most teens are obsessed with online shopping. As parents, you can also choose to try online options to teach them to save money – All you have to do is find online stores that sell secondhand clothes that are in good condition. We love Vinted for this reason and I have previously written about how to use the app. Research shows that many stores sell stationary and other school essentials at discounted prices. Some businesses specialize in offering secondhand products. Ask your teenagers if there are any online stores they want to check out, and then see if you can find deals at those stores. If you have always shopped secondhand in offline stores, this can also be a fantastic experience for you!
5. Create a reward system for secondhand shopping success –  A reward system is the best way to motivate children to follow the rules. Once you set up a budget for back-to-school shopping, tell your teens how you will reward them if they stay within it. This will make them feel excited to be more careful while shopping. It can be hard not to be tempted when you have money and want to get everything you love in the store. Most teens enjoy shopping, but it can be a bit harder for them to understand secondhand shopping and learn to love it. But if you reward them for giving it a try, they might be a bit more willing to dive into that world.

6. During this journey, be patient and keep your teen company – Teaching teens to be more careful with money can be challenging, and you might lose your temper a few times. But this year, be a little more patient and keep them company as they learn the importance of budgeting. Answer your child’s questions and accompany them to secondhand stores the first few times. Explain to your teens how shopping secondhand has helped you find some amazing products. This season, make it a fun journey you take your teens as you both learn about the amazing world of secondhand treasures!
7. Many teenagers have a great social conscious and will want to support a non-profit organization or their local community so explain that charities benefit from the donations and reselling second-hand clothes. This will encourage younger generations to see the positive impact and understand why second-hand shops are important.
8. Teach young adults that they too can resell or donate their clothes this helps them understand the circular economy and they can make some extra money at the same time. Giving clothes a second chance makes both environmental sense and financial sense! It is a popular way to make a lot of money that you can then spend on new to you clothes!
9. Make sure you have a good look around the charity shop as there are often high-quality items on the shelves and they just need to be discovered. Make sure you look in the window and in the glass cabinets as the best pieces might not be easy to spot. The best secondhand items are often showcased but that might mean you miss them.
10. Finally, be open to finding a bargain that you weren’t expecting! The best thing about buying second-hand is that you never know what gem you will find in your local thrift shop. You may go with an idea of what you are looking for or need but sometimes the perfect pair of jeans or a vintage item catches your eye that you can reuse. 

Conclusion

Teaching teenagers about shopping secondhand can be impossible unless you know the best tricks to do it. This article talked about some of the best ways to encourage teens to shop secondhand and save money. This will help you and your children become more financially responsible and get into secondhand shopping!!