As for the time issue, the only way it would be valid is if you were to be somehow paid shopping elsewhere or if you were to be working other than shopping. If you go shopping in your spare time, then you do not lose any wages for your time, and the cost to you is zero. Also, my wife likes the challenge of finding the perfect piece of clothing, so the issue of how much her time is worth is a non-starter. Do people calculate how much money they lose when watching television or pursuing their hobbies?

Also, with regards to time, people are likely to spend as much time shopping at the mall for the right pair of jeans as they are looking for used.

As for the jeans being used, the clothes we buy are close to brand new and have likely been worn at most a few times. The amount of wear you can get out of a good pair of used jeans is practically the same as a pair that is bought new if you know what you are looking for.

To summarize, then, the difference between buying at a good used clothing store or a fancy boutique: paying $5 to $10 for an almost new pair of pants to $50 or $100 for a pair of jeans with the privilege of being able to cut off the store tag. No matter how you cut it, you will save between $40 and $95 for one pair of jeans. If you were to buy that same pair of jeans on a credit card and not pay off the balance at the end of the month, then that pair of jeans will double or triple in price by the time you are likely to pay it off with interest.

You’ll still come out ahead with the $5 thrift store jeans but not as much.

I have tried a new strategy with buying in bulk. I went down to my local butcher shop in town and bought 50 pounds of meat (a variety of types including a whole chicken, pork, breakfast sausage, ham, steak,…). According to my calculation, I saved a bit of money and the butcher wraps them in paper and they are all ready to be frozen as soon as you get the meat. Also, I like the quality: the meat is cut after you place the order, so you know it is fresh.