From sandwiches at Subway to the delectable pumpkin spice lattes from Starbucks after class, or the cheaper but just-as-good Tim Hortons iced coffee, students will always have the opportunity to spend their hard-earned money on campus or elsewhere.

However, they can choose to save their money, yet still be fashionable and even buy name brands. In Winnipeg, Style Encore is a used clothing store that stocks affordable name brands, so students can dress for success while also keeping their money in their pockets. Stephanie Ducharme, Style Encore Winnipeg East owner, explained how the process of reselling works.
“At Style Encore Winnipeg East, we buy and sell gently used women’s casual and business clothing, shoes, handbags and accessories. We have all the hottest name brands and styles you would find at popular retailers at up to 90 per cent off the retail price. We pay cash on the spot,” Ducharme said.

The store is independently owned, but the Style Encore franchise falls under the same mother corporation as Plato’s Closet, Once Upon a Child, Music Go Round and Play It Again Sports.

“Bring your gently used clothes, shoes, handbags and accessories into the store at any time during store hours. It is first-come, first-serve basis,” said Ducharme.

“We’ll carefully look through your items, selecting pieces that fit our store’s current needs and styles, while you shop for your new favourite pieces. When we are finished, we will make you an offer on the selected items, and you’ll go home with cash on the spot if you accept our offer.”

Something that might help students are student discounts. Some students use student price cards, or more popularly known as SPC cards, but others use coupons and cash-back payments.

The Local Frequency app, which gives customers a percentage of cash back on purchases made at several local businesses across Winnipeg and Brandon, has become a popular way for students and others in the province to save money.
Tyler Ibrahim, a Local Frequency team member, said the app can be used to get cash back at over 100 stores in the two cities. The app can also be used by businesses as a marketing tool, allowing them to give returning customers better deals and promotions.

“A lot of people explain it to us and say, ‘I use this like I double dip on loyalty points by loading up 50 dollars with my Visa card and when I go buy beer at Half Pints, I spend with the app and I get 5 per cent additional back from that tap room,’” said Ibrahim.

“You can think of it as an add-on.”