In a world dominated by fast fashion, next-day delivery, and “swipe up to shop,” anything and everything seems to be at our fingertips, anytime and anywhere. But despite this, some people are approaching shopping with an eye on more than just speed, style and savings. They’re prioritizing sustainable shopping: making purchasing choices that align with both their financial goals and their overall values.
Thrifting is a popular choice for sustainable shopping, because repurposing old materials eliminates the need for emission-heavy shipping and other environmental costs associated with fast fashion. Did you know, according to Princeton University, the processes used in the fashion industry are responsible for approximately 20% of global waste water?
There’s no one right way to thrift. Sustainable shopping can be a spontaneous adventure or a pre-planned project. You might be hunting for something specific—a vintage, one-of-a-kind concert t-shirt, perhaps—or you might be hoping to discover something unexpected. You might head to a local consignment shop or decide to browse an online marketplace. Regardless, conscious consumers can reduce their carbon footprints and feel positive about their purchases with a few simple shopping and saving tips.
Plan your successful second-hand shopping excursion:
Take stock before you shop
Do you need to sell or donate items to free up space? Even second-hand purchases must fit into your budget—and closet. Some people adopt a “one in, one out” policy around certain purchase categories, like baseball caps or t-shirts. Even if you don’t set strict guidelines for yourself, it does help to keep in mind what items you might be willing to part with. Out with the old, in with the new—to you. And if you bring items along with you when you go thrifting, some shops will even reward donations with coupons or discounts on purchases.
Speaking of purchases, ask yourself how much you’re prepared to spend. It helps to take a look at your finances, set a reasonable budget and try to stick to it. And don’t be afraid to let your friends know that you’ve put some parameters around your purchases if you’re shopping together, so they can help you stay on budget.
Get there—and back—with ease
The journey can be part of the adventure, and it can also be another opportunity to help the planet.
Consider taking public transportation rather than driving to lower your carbon footprint. Whether you’re heading to a downtown market or a standalone thrift store on the outskirts of town, public transit riders can use Interac Debit contactless payments to pay adult transit fares with participating transit agencies across Canada. It’s as simple as tapping your debit card or your phone.
Learn which transit systems accept Interac Debit payments here.
Be a savvy second-hand shopper
Now for the fun part! With your budget in mind, start browsing. Stay focused on what you need, but if you find something that sparks your imagination, go for it (if the price is right).
Paying for your purchases using Interac Debit is a great way to stick to your budget, because you’re spending your money in real time. That means you can see exactly how much you have left and you won’t get any surprise bills for the trip later in the month. Plus, once you’ve added Interac Debit to your phone, you may no longer need to carry a wallet around and dig for your debit card.
And remember…it doesn’t pay to shop ‘til you literally drop. After a few hours of thrifting, you might need to decompress (or re-energize with some caffeine) at a coffee shop. You can often mobile order in advance through a store’s app, and take advantage of added convenience as some shops will let you fill and reload personal accounts or pay using Interac Debit.
Shop sustainably, from the comfort of home
Make the most of online marketplaces
You can search an online marketplace for specific items—“sectional couches” or “flat-screen tv’s,” for example—or browse in your local geographic area. There’s a good chance you’ll find that perfect piece of furniture at a fraction of face value. And with Interac e-Transfer, you can send money directly to the seller, as long as you both have an email address or SMS number, and a Canadian bank account.
As is always the case with online shopping, it’s important to remember: “buyer beware.” Taking a few simple steps can help keep you safe from scams, including:
- Meeting face-to-face in a public setting
- Verifying what you’re buying before paying
- Paying with Interac e-Transfer so you don’t have to handle cash
Don’t forget about delivery
For furniture or other larger purchases, you may need a mover and a truck. Hiring movers can be one of the most stressful things in life, but Interac e-Transfer can help make it easier. You no longer need to carry around cash or cheques, and can send the money quickly and securely. Plus, a list of your transactions will be readily available, allowing you to keep track of spending.
Settle up
Splitting the cost with roommates? Nobody likes asking for money, but you can eliminate the awkwardness and streamline the process by using Interac e-Transfer Request Money, which can also help make it easier to manage multiple payments. Learn more about the Request Money feature, from setting up an account to asking for cash, here.
At the end of the day, thrifting can be a fun, financially sound and fashionable way to help the planet. In fact, in some ways, sustainable shopping is the opposite of doom spending—dropping cash just to quell your anxiety about the state of the world. So, whether you’re giving new life to an old garment or finally replacing that falling-apart futon, you can feel more confident that you’re making a sustainable choice.
Learn how to buy and sell securely through online marketplaces
