Essential Shopping Secrets You Need to Know Now

Brooke Amidei
5 days ago
5 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

Below are some shopping tips and tricks you might not have heard of, but you're going to be so glad we've Babbled them. We found several popular brands who want our used clothing items, and many offer ways to buy their gently used items at a steep discount - all in the name of the environment and a big middle finger to fast fashion.

We also included some basic, but less-known shopping hacks at the bottom. Keep your wardrobe up to date and make that Christmas list a lot less intimidating with these shopping secrets.

Madewell

I love Madewell jeans but had no idea about their old jean trade in program. It keeps denim out of landfills and also keeps an extra $20 in your pocket off a brand-new pair! Score!

How it works: Bring in an old pair of jeans (any brand) to a Madewell store and you get $20 off a new pair of jeans. You can also mail your old jeans (and other preloved clothing, handbags, shoes, accessories of any brand) to them. Head to to this Madewell website and get a free shipping label, drop off your items at your local USPS or FedEx and for each pair of jeans you'll receive $20 off a new Madewell pair plus shopping credit in exchange for other clothing that they sell (I'm not exactly sure how that part works, but might be worth looking into.)

H&M

H&M's garment collecting program was rolled out in 2013 and is the world's biggest of its kind.

How it works: Bring any unwanted clothing or textiles, any brand and any condition, to an H&M store. Hand in your bag of clothes at the registers and receive a thank-you coupon to use toward your next purchase.

I found out about this one after recently purchasing my son a new sweatshirt when we were shopping and told him to put it on right then, because the one he was wearing was so worn it was going in the trash right then and there. I asked the guy behind the cash register if he had a garbage can I could throw his sweatshirt in and he told us about the program and gave us a coupon! Who knew?!

Here's a pic of me buying him new socks and tossing out the ones he wore on that same shopping trip. He went into the mall with a completely different outfit on then he came out with and it wasn't planned...it was just necessary.

Apparently you can also rent selected outfits from H&M's Conscious Exclusive collections! What?! You'll have to inquire in-store about this one....

Zappos

Zappos has free shipping and free returns. I'll order several pairs at one time, try them on at home, then send back what doesn't work. I've done this for years for me, my kids - it's awesome and saves the headache of shoe shopping in public with children.

Also, I doesn't look like Zappos is offering a coupon or discount for your used shoes, but through their Zappos for Good program they will take them off your hands by offering free shipping labels!

Cat & Jack at Target

The popular Cat & Jack brand at Target let's you return all of their items up to one year in any condition, if your kid outgrows them, etc. Cat and Jack return/exchange policy at Target is crazy good if you can make the effort (my lazy ass cannot, but I’ve heard it’s wild). This Cat & Jack One-Year Return Policy went viral on TikTok when it saved one mom over $500 on back to school shopping.

The North Face

Bring your old The North Face gear into the store and receive $10 off your next purchase. The North Face Renewed Take-Back is brand specific, but an awesome way to recycle your items and save a little coin.

Athleta

Athleta has a "Preloved" program linked directly on their website where you can buy gently used Athleta items. All proceeds to go their Power of She Fund, fueling women's and girls' confidence through movement and connection. You can turn in your gently used items to any Athleta store for store credit.

Patagonia

We love Patagonia's stuff! They make high-quality clothing and gear for all the outdoor activities on your list. Their stuff lasts forever, and isn't cheap. But they offer a buy back program for their clothing and gear that isn't serving you any longer. You can sell back your gently used gear in-store or via mail in exchange for store credit. And you can shop gently used items right from their website. Have a Patagonia item you love but it's damaged and you're not ready to give it up yet? They also offer a repair program! Check it out here.

Other Brands...Always Ask

Other brands that offer similar buy-back programs for in-store credit include Lulelemon, Eileen Fisher and Levi's. This is a trend that is gaining momentum, so even if a store isn't listed here, ask when you're out shopping. You never know where you'll find a discount, store credit or a really good deal on a gently used item from a brand you love!

Used Clothing

Thrifting is super popular right now, especially with Gen Z. I've joined my teenage daughter on some of her thrifting outings and have found some great things for myself, including a vintage raincoat and a couple of cute spring dresses. My daughter is a junior in high school and has yet to pay full price for a dress for a dance. Certain items just don't get used much, like coats and formal wear. It's worth digging through the racks. Our favorite places are Good Will and Indy Clover.

Online consignment is all the rage too. Check out websites like Poshmark, Depop, ThredUp or Facebook Marketplace for deals, often you'll find items with the retails tags still on!

Lesser Known Shopping Hacks

Abandon Your Online Cart

Add items to your cart and wait 24–48 hours — many retailers email you a discount code to entice you to check out.

Buy Gift Cards at a Discount

If you know you're going to shop somewhere, or you know you're going to get that person on your list a gift card for Christmas, why not get that at a discount? Costco is a great place to find discounted gift cards consistently. But keep an eye on early holiday deals - many retailers will offer discounted gift cards or free gift cards with purchase.

Use Price-Match Guarantees

Big retailers like Target, Best Buy, and Nordstrom will match competitors’ prices if you ask.

Know the Sale Cycles

Clothing: best prices end of each season (Jan/Feb, Jul/Aug).
Electronics: best deals in November and January.
Furniture & mattresses: holiday weekends (Presidents Day, Memorial Day).

Shop Midweek or Early Morning

Tuesday–Thursday mornings often have restocked sale items and fewer crowds.

Use Store Apps for In-Store Savings

Michael's, Target Circle, Kohl’s App, Walmart+, and Sephora apps often have in-app only coupons or early access.

Subscribe to Restock Alerts

I do this constantly! It's perfect for popular items that sell out quickly — set up alerts via the app or “back in stock” plugins.

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