who avoids shopping in mainstream retail stores

With the increased tuition; financial aid delays; and surge in book, gas and Metro pass costs, fashion-forward Valley College students may find it difficult to stay stylish in this economy. But, thrifty students know a secret.

These in-the-know students hit budget-friendly thrift stores to remain fashionable, purchasing
designer clothes for bargain prices, exchanging old clothing for the new and discovering outstanding vintage pieces.

Student Morghan Carter’s mother introduced her to thrift
shopping at age 8. Buying secondhand has saved Carter money for college fees, she said.

“You have to go to school every day of the week. You have to pay
for books … bus passes … what you eat on a daily basis,” Carter said. “To be able to go to the thrift store on the weekend [and] spend a very small amount for a couple of different items is comforting.”

Instead of throwing unwanted clothes in the trash, fashionistas can explore creative ways to save bank by recycling clothes, exchanging old garments for new threads at secondhand stores, such as Buffalo Exchange and Cross Roads Trading Co.

For students who like to stay on trend, these two chic, recycled clothing shops are a way to stay trendy and not go broke.

“I took a bunch of my old clothes to Buffalo Exchange on Ventura Boulevard,” said communications major Monica Diaz. “I got about $20 for a shirt and some pants, then I used money for gas and a Nine West bag for school.”

Cinema major Jahsaudi Perkins, a student who avoids shopping in mainstream retail stores, enjoys local recycled clothing store THRIFTnoho in North Hollywood.

THRIFTnoho’s prices range from $1 to $10 for most items. The store has major deals on a variety of clothing, from women’s and men’s apparel to brand-name shoes, dresses, jeans, snapback hats and much more.

On random days, THRIFTnoho delights customers with 50-percent off the entire store. The owners of the thrift store also alter and customize articles of clothing customers bring in, producing a new, original piece.

“I recently gave THRIFTnoho a drawn out sketch of what I envisioned would be a great design,” said Perkins, 20. “The owners design it in no time. I was amazed
by the craftsmanship.”

Those searching for something unique or vintage, such as sociology major Chryz Ortega, look to Goodwill for jewelry, clothing and house supplies from different eras.

While prices at this donation chain are already cheap, on Saturdays,
Goodwill chooses a tag color to be on sale throughout the week.

“Unique and vintage is what I love about it,” said 20-year-old Ortega. “It saves me a lot instead
of buying $200 worth of clothing. I can save a lot and use the money for books and gas. I feel less guilty, too.”

Thrift shopping can help ease the burden of college finances, and by becoming a “thrifter,” a student can seek new styles without burning a hole in their pockets.

Rev. David L. Boyle Sr. was known for his positive ministry, descriptive sermons, love of education and encouraging spirit, which manifested in daily conversations when he bestowed on everyone the divine title of "Saint."

"He called me Saint Win," recalled Rev. Eric Winston, pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church on South Parkway in Memphis. "He would call everybody saint. Even though we weren't saintly in our actions, he would say to us, 'That's where you're going to be.' It's as if he were speaking our future in the midst of our mess."

Rev. Boyle, a Memphis native and well-known pastor of Antioch Baptist Church in Whiteville, Tenn., died on Nov. 5. He was 60.

Winston described his longtime friend as a "Prince of Preachers," who held several advanced degrees and loved to read. He'd often leave the bookstore with five copies of the same book to pass out to friends so they could discuss it.