Growing up in North Scottsdale, I was surrounded by more wealth and affluence than I have seen in many other places. The thing that I saw growing up that I still don't understand is how spending ridiculous amounts of money on brands that have “status” is the norm there, and why people who don't even have the same level of income as others, try to compete and buy the same unnecessarily overpriced brand-name items.

Don't get me wrong, I am guilty of the same problem. I love anything Kate Spade right now and will drop waaaaay more than I should for most retail items. Ironically, right now, in our 20s, we all feel the need to buy things that have that “status” and seem to push us out from the crowd, but in reality, they just blend us in because everyone has them.

My wallet has been hit especially hard this summer as I was constantly on the lookout for cute things to wear for recruitment, buying new dresses, shoes, bags, jewelry, you name it. I was slowly going broke as my minimum wage jobs just couldn't support that much spending among other things necessary to survive living on my own this summer, like gas and groceries.

A trip to visit my family back in the Midwest taught me how wrong that thinking was when my aunt's idea of a day of shopping was to take a first stop at the local Goodwill. At first I was skeptical, but this trip opened my eyes to a whole new way of thinking and showed me just how much thrift stores have to offer. Let's be honest, as college students we look especially ridiculous walking up the cash register in a retail store thinking, Yes, I have $200 in my bank account, and I am spending it all on these Tory Burch Sandals.

Just last night my friend asked me, “Have you ever been to Last Chance?” When I answered no, he drove me there and showed me a whole new, heavenly world of shopping. Most everything was designer, but they were either second-hand or unused returns from Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack, for a fraction of the retail cost.

From there we went on to Buffalo Exchange, Platos’ Closet, My Sister’s Closet and even Goodwill. ALL of these stores had an amazing selection of things that were right in my budget, like my new $40 Kate Spade tote that I am in love with. Surprisingly, I found the most items at Goodwill, ranging from furniture for my room to gifts for my future Little. The best part is that every single item there was usually around a couple dollars.

If you're someone who's brand-obsessed, or if you are just looking to help your budget, or maybe you're like I am and like the best of both worlds — these stores have cute, cute stuff. Everyone can find something to love about thrift stores.

The thing I finally realized about buying things for recruitment, is that the brand behind what I am wearing shouldn't matter. Personally, I know I want to see a pledge class this fall who can appreciate me, instead of the brands I am wearing, but who will still appreciate the pref night dress I bought for $10 at Goodwill. :)