By Dylan Sciacca | Reporter
Going to college is not cheap. Between tuition, food, books and activities on the weekend, spending can add up quick.
That is why students are always finding ways to save. Spots like thrift stores have become very popular among the Baylor students because of how affordable they are. While they are mainly clothing stores, they also have a lot to offer for furniture and decorations. Heart of Texas Goodwill employee Jane Heartman said the ones in Waco are extra exciting.
“We get so many college students coming in often when they move in,” Heartman said. “The incoming freshmen love using our store because of how cheap it is, but also because of the college items we have. After the seniors graduate, they often donate all of their old college stuff they used while they were here.”
The Heart of Texas Goodwill Outlet is at 1000 E. Waco Drive and is open 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Ladera Ranch, California, sophomore Harrison Stiles said he recently got into thrifting after he transferred into Baylor from community college.
“I started off going to thrift stores right when I moved in because I know it’s a cheap way to get solid things,” Stiles said. “When I went that first time to get some things for my house, I actually ended up finding some pretty cool things. I like going back, once a week with friends, to go sort of treasure hunting.”
Because of the “treasure hunting,” for many students, thrifting goes beyond just getting a good deal.
“One of the coolest things I found was an old-school surfboard,” Stiles said. “Apparently an old Baylor student had it and used it for the Waco surf team. After he graduated, he did not know what to do with it, so he donated it. I was lucky enough to stumble upon it and ended up getting a pretty crazy deal on it too.”
These stores bring people together for a good deal and a good time. Heartman said shopping for good deals is a common activity for Baylor students.
“It’s very common to see a group of young adults come in,” Heartman said. “Sometimes they are here, especially the girls, for close to an hour picking clothes, trying them on, showing their friends, all that stuff, so I would absolutely say that groups of friends are a common thing here.”
Stiles also said that going thrifting with friends adds to the experience and is something he tries to have when he goes.
“I usually have a buddy tag along when I go,” Stiles said. “It’s just better to have friends in general to do things with, and I think when I go thrifting, having friends makes it a lot better.”
