By Elizabeth Jackson

Students are not the only ones who go thrift shopping. Mrs. Gidley wears her favorite thrift shopping shoes to school.
Photo by: Elizabeth Jackson

As prices for clothing are increasing, Plymouth High School students are finding more ways to save their money but still buying what they want.

Second-hand stores provide people with clothing and other miscellaneous items at reduced prices. Many PHS students go thrift shopping in order to find what they want at a cheaper price or to find extraordinary items one would not find at an. For senior Zachary Craft, thrift shopping is not only a way to get what he wants, but it is also an experience of searching, foraging, and rummaging for items that are yet to be found in his household. Craft makes time out of his busy schedule to go thrift shopping once every few months. Other PHS students are taking time out of their schedules to go thrift shopping.

Senior Nate Kolter finds time to go thrift shopping about once every two months. Thrift shopping is not only about the reduced prices, but about the finds that one can make. “I found a $500 vineyard vines navy blue sport coat for $7. It was by far the best find in thrift shopping history,” said Kolter. While going thrift shopping, Kolter is not looking for anything in particular. It is not hard to tell the emotions that Kolter has while shopping. “EXCITEMENT” is all Kolter can think once finding a bargain like his $7 coat.  Sophomore Miranda Dunn has a different emotion while thrift shopping.

Name brand shoes may be found at thrift shops throughout the country.
Photo by: Elizabeth Jackson

“Excitement when I find a steal and disappointment when all I find are ugly clothes. “ said Dunn about her emotions for thrift shopping. The most extravagant item that Dunn found while thrift shopping was a light up Christmas sweater and she loves it. While shopping, Dunn particularly looks for “Clothes and maybe things for my sister’s apartment or things that are useless that I could make a use of.” One can tell that Dunn is a frequent thrift shopper as she said the last time she went was last week. “I got interested in thrift shopping when I realized how much money I wasted on clothes that served the same purpose as the cheap ones did,” said Dunn. Other students have found extravagant items that they are proud to have found.

Seniors Kristina Ratcliff, Kate Peters and William Wleklinski all found extravagant finds while thrift shopping. Ratcliff found a brand new prom dress, Peters found “A leather jacket that was practically brand new,” and Wleklinski found name brand shirts. Sophomore Chance Lacher found “A brand new dirt bike and it was really cheap!” Freshmen Leonardo Baca and Bayli Czarnecki also had great finds. Baca found a 30 GB flash drive for only $10.00 while Czarnecki found a pair of jeans that have sparkles in the rips.

There are many different reasons PHS students go thrift shopping, and many came back with unique and valuable items.