When you pass up Salvation Army or Goodwill, maybe you think about Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’s 2012 hit, “Thrift Shop.” But did you ever think of hopping on the bandwagon of “thrifting” and finding out where all of the hype surrounding this inexpensive hobby is coming from these days?

I’m looking at you, college students. Let’s begin with the most obvious reason why you might want to start thinking about joining your fellow “thrifters.” Finding cheap items that would normally be more (sometimes much more) expensive elsewhere feels like a huge accomplishment, especially when university is eating up all your money. R.I.P. to all of the unused textbooks we spent hundreds on.

Second of all, it’s great for the environment! It takes a lot of energy from the transportation of materials to the production process. By thrifting, you’re lowering your carbon footprint, reducing chemical pollution and decreasing landfill waste. Good job, smart shopper.

If my reasonings have convinced you, here are some ways to start your thrifting experience.

Strategize

Yes, the rows and rows of clothing can seem a bit intimidating at first. Start off by thinking about if you’re looking for anything specific. Do you need a new pair of pants because you couldn’t escape the Freshman 15? Can’t find that crop top you swore you brought to the dorm with you after visiting home? Make a mental note and start in that section. If you don’t have anything particular in mind, the rows are usually color coordinated and separated by season so just keep an eye out for those fabrics, patterns and textures.

 Get Your Hands Dirty

You’re never going to find that buried treasure if you’re not willing to push through the hangers of clothing! So if you’re a germaphobe or agree with the stigma that secondhand items are “dirty,” this isn’t the scene for you. That just means that valuable Roland Mouret gown buried under the pile of polyester is going to someone deserving of it. Thrifting is an extreme sport and not for the faint of heart!

Double Check

Make sure you give the item you’re interested in a second look to avoid those with stains, holes or tears. The last thing you want is to go home with that cute American Eagle button-up only to realize there are buttons missing! So give everything in your cart an inspection before getting in line to check out.

Good luck with your first shopping mission! Don’t feel discouraged if you don’t find anything the first time. The merchandise is always changing and definitely worth the wait.