Examiner.com

Photo by Tracy Owens Chasteen.

Sometimes, it feels like every clothing store is horrendously overpriced. It's frustrating to see a $200 price tag on jeans that look exactly the same as $30 jeans in another brand. For those who don't want or can't afford to spend even $30 on a single piece of clothing, it's difficult to find a clothing store that accomodates their needs. Enter St. Vincent de Paul, one of the cheapest thrift stores in Austin.

St. Vincent de Paul Vintage Boutique and Thrift Store is run by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a Catholic charity. Besides the location in Austin, they run several thrift stores across the country, and every location runs on the same policies. All goods sold in their stores, which range from jeans to kitchen appliances, are donations from the community, and all proceeds go to benefit needy families in the area. As a shopper, you get this deal: buy some cheap clothes, like jeans for five dollars or less, and donate to a charity at the same time! Shopping is a feel-good activity here, instead of a tour of all the things you can't afford.

In the front of the Austin store, they have a few rows of couture and vintage clothing, perfect for hipsters looking for a good deal, but for the even cheaper (and still good) stuff, it's best to search the rest of the first floor, where the rest of the clothes are. Everything is in good condition, besides a few loose belt loops on jeans here and there (and those can always be fixed with a few minutes' sewing). It's almost impossible to not find a good deal, whether you're looking for jeans, shirts, or stylish jackets. On the second floor, there are all kinds of random things to buy, including the aforementioned kitchen items and a collection of 60's and 70's vinyl records.

If you shop at St. Vincent de Paul, you'll leave the store pleased with your purchases for two reasons:

1)    Everything is so cheap, even when added up.

2)    Whatever money you did spend will go to someone who needs it.