Thrift shopping has become one of the smartest ways for retirees to stretch a fixed income, and maybe upcycle or repurpose a few items to cut down on monthly expenses in an eco-friendly way.
According to Capital One Shopping, thrift store lovers save an average of $2,071 per year by choosing pre-owned goods, which is a huge financial boost for seniors looking to keep costs down while still enjoying everyday essentials.
To help retirees save even more, GOBankingRates asked ChatGPT for thrift store shopping hacks designed specifically to reduce spending by at least $100 per month. Here are a few money-saving strategies it recommended, and how retirees can use them to score major deals on everything from clothing to household items.
1. Shop on Senior Discount Days
ChatGPT said most thrift stores, such as Goodwill and Salvation Army, have special senior discount days — often 20% to 50% off everything in the store and usually once a week. For example, The Senior List reported Goodwill has 10% to 20% off days for those 55 and older, while Salvation Army has discounts up to 50% off.
“If you spend around $200 a month on clothing, books, decor and household items, that discount alone can save you $40 to $100 monthly,” ChatGPT noted.
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2. Focus on Everyday Essentials
When you do go shopping at thrift stores, don’t just browse randomly. “The key is to treat thrift shopping like you would a regular grocery run — know what you need before you go,” ChatGPT said.
ChatGPT recommended making a monthly “thrift list” of items you typically spend money on. This can be clothing basics, kitchenware, home goods, books and more.
According to Red Racks Thrift Stores, thrift stores average around $8 for clothing, compared with $40 at retail stores. This amounts to 80% savings. You could save even more on books — up to 87% in savings.
3. Double Up With Loyalty Programs and Coupons
Some thrift stores even have loyalty programs that stack with coupons and senior discounts. For example, America’s Thrift Store’s loyalty program offers one point for every dollar spent, and 250 points or more can earn $5 on future transactions. You can also stack these with special offers, and you can get a free birthday reward.
Salvation Army also has a loyalty program called Stamp Me that allows shoppers to earn digital stamps for purchases that can be redeemed for a voucher.
While each of these individual tactics may seem small on its own, combining them can lead to monthly savings that accumulate to hundreds — or sometimes thousands — over the course of a year.
Caitlyn Moorhead contributed to the reporting for this article.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 3 ChatGPT Thrift Store Shopping Hacks That Save Retirees $100 or More
