Lower Your Bill at Goodwill

Savings potential: ~ $1500 annually, or 90% of your clothing expenses

Time investment: Scouting at Goodwill once in a while

Useful for: Men and women, everyone in shape, hipsters

So you think you're too ugly to be loved by anyone? Wanting to look good is a valid concern and eventually you will realize that the clothes your mom bought 10 years ago no longer match your style. Fine, go out and do some shopping, but know this:

The fashion industry perpetuates the notion that you need to buy brand new clothes every season so that people can like you. That is a maneuver aimed to make you spend the fruit of your hard labor on a shirt put together by a 7 year old from Bangladesh. That child was paid a few cents and most of the buying price goes into the pocket of some rich textile moguls.

Be smart and don't throw your money at those people who already have enough. Instead invest in a few timeless pieces of clothing that you can easily combine and layer: That includes unicolor shirts, sturdy jeans (blue, indigo, black), a few good shirts, and sweaters. Throw a nice jacket on top and you're all set. Where to get all of this?

Goodwill.

Does that sound cheap to you? That's because it is dirt cheap! But don't be fooled, the quality of the clothes you can get there is actually quite good, because there is an oversupply of secondhand clothes. That means that Goodwill can afford to throw out damaged or low quality clothes and only keep good pieces and brands.

The only downside is that every piece is unique and possibly not available in your specific size. But that makes shopping at Goodwill a treasure hunt that is a lot of fun. You can (and should) check out stores regularly for new clothes that you like.

Make a habit out of looking for fitting items. This reinforces a basic principle of saving: Planned behavior and being able to wait for something will get you good deals. Look for a new winter coat and boots in summer, buy shorts in winter if in stock.

Goodwill is for two kinds of people: The poor and the smart.

Getting yourself a new suit for 15$ = smart. A shirt is $3. Leather boots for $10. Want a new tie? Here you are, $1! Sometimes they also offer other household items for similarly low prices.

Have a look and remember one more thing: When you are in shape every right size item of clothing looks good on you.

-Jimmy