The Nevada Sagebrush

After paying for tuition, rent, food and books, freshman Maryanne Baker is in a tight spot financially.

“My roommates and I are always taking anything we can get from friends and family,” Baker said. “Sometimes you have to shop at thrift stores, their prices are a little bit lower, and students need to save their money for food and gas.”

Baker is one of many students who juggle their budget. With students trying to manage their money more effectively, a new trend is emerging: students are shopping at discount stores as a lower-cost alternative for furniture and accessories, students and business owners said.

Shopping at discount stores is an opportunity to save some money while still finding good quality furniture or accessories, said Rick Roff, The Salvation Army Director of Retail. For example, The Salvation Army sells a set which includes a couch, love seat and four chairs with rollers for $65.

“(Shopping at thrift stores) teaches a very good lesson about how to get the biggest bang for your dollar,” Roff said.

Roff is responsible for tracking consumer trends and accommodating any changes. For example, dressers, couches and chairs are displayed in the front of the store to attract college students.

“By just observing the consumers there tends to be a rising trend in the number of college students coming in,” Roff said.

The downside to shopping at thrift stores is that they run on a donor-based system, he said. The inventory comes from donations, rather than from a distribution center, which limits selection.

“You just have to have an open mind when going to those types of stores,” Baker said. “It is okay if everything doesn’t match.”