More than ever I relish finding alternative shopping websites that facilitate my love for something different and on a budget. Not only can you find unique, vintage, used, reused, natural, handmade, and locally sourced goods, you can often find them at great prices. I am a big fan of a different model of consumerism – one that recycles, reuses, and tries to be as natural as possible. Here are some of my favourite places on the internet to shop:

• Etsy: Find vintage and homemade items from all over the world – at price points to fit every budget. This is a fabulous place to find unique pieces that are affordable. I would certainly check out their latest post on Valentine’s Ideas for some homemade lingerie! I love this Harness “Ellen” Bra for $65 from iheartnorwegianwood (out of Montreal) and also this Leather Cuff Bracelet “Peacock Feather Plumes” for $79 from Love at First Blush (also from Montreal).

• TrendTrunk: Now my go-to place to buy and sell used clothing, jewelry, accessories and shoes. Used is not ‘bad’ – in fact, I have already scored some awesome finds on this website for fantastic prices. Valentine’s Day is coming up so check out this Juicy Couture Black and Gold Watch for $99.99 (orig. $195) or this Relic Classic Remix Flap HandBag for $33 (orig. $49.99). Prices include shipping.

• Shopcaster: This website is pretty new to me. It is an online marketplace where you can browse and buy from local independent boutiques, though they want you to sign up for an account before you can look through their products. There are plenty of ideas for Valentine’s Day around here – but I like this Pre de Provence lavender soap for $10.99 out of Toronto and these cute Biko Fortune Cookie Necklaces also out of Toronto for $45.

How about you, Bargainmoosers? Have any great ‘unorthodox’ places you like to shop?

TrendTrunk is one of my new favourite places! Trend Trunk and the Bargainmoose have teamed up to give our Moosers an extraordinary offer: get a free $5 to $250 gift card for Trend Trunk. It is simple, just provide your email and they will send you a gift card within 24 hours.

• Click here to get a free Trend Trunk Gift Card

This is for new members, people who have never used Trend Trunk before. The min guaranteed value is $5, but there are cards at $10, $25, $50, $100 and $250!

Trend Trunk is an across Canada marketplace for clothing and accessories. $8 shipping is calculated into your price, and you get a free shipping label! Some of the things I have shipped would have cost me a fortune to do so. TrendTrunk takes 20% the selling price (excluding shipping). This is very reasonable compared to brick and mortar consignment shops which take around 50% usually.

Seriously Moosers: I LOVE Trend Trunk! I am a typical girl, I have a ton of stuff I have collected over the years that I just don’t wear or use anymore. Many things are in mint, or excellent condition. I have sold off a bunch of stuff already and have made back around $500 back so far! That is incredible! There are some great items for great prices on the website from other Canadians, be sure to check it out.

As a last note: TODAY is the last day to enter the $10,000 Cash In Your Closet Contest! It is a big contest with awesome prizes, so be sure to register an account and get some entries!

If you are a frugal Mooser, or trying to find ways to both save and make money – you have got to get well acquainted with Trend Trunk. Trend Trunk is a purely Canadian website that acts as an online ‘consignment shop’.

• Click here to check out Trend Trunk

Very simply this is how it works:

• List your clothing + accessories on their website for free
• They add on a $8 shipping fee
• When you sell you print off a shipping label and drop the package off at your nearest Post Office
• Keep 80%

Trend Trunk’s commission is VERY reasonable, most ‘brick and mortar’ consignment stores take a 50/50 commission… so you are keeping an extra 30%.

Trend Trunk is awesome also for buyers. Keep your costs down and buy new, like-new, and pre-loved clothing for a fraction of the store price!

Right now they are running an incredible contest. You can win a trip to Punta Cana, a $3000 closet makeover or a sweet camera! When you join TrendTrunk you get 1 entry, and you can follow them on twitter, like them on Facebook, and invite friends for additional entries. You can also gain a whopping 5 extra entries PER item you list with them! They are also giving away a ton of gift cards so following them on Facebook or twitter is a good idea.

To summarize why TrendTrunk is awesome:

• Make money on things you no longer wear
• Save money by buying gently used items
• Get Canada wide exposure for your items
• Get entered into a freaking awesome contest with the chance to win BIG!

- How to WIN a $10 TrendTrunk Card on Bargainmoose: Congrats to Mooser Kelly on winning the $10 GC.

I won a $10 TrendTrunk gift card code, and I want to pass it forward to a lucky Mooser! The contest is simple, answer the following two questions and I will randomly draw a winner (using a random number generator based on your comment number) August 27th @ 3 pm EST.

Answer these two questions:

• How many items do I (Avigayil Morris) have listed for sale on TrendTrunk?
• What item on TrendTrunk would you spend the $10 GC on?

Please only comment once on this post, and don’t include any personal details. The email associated with the post is the one I will use to contact the winner and give them their gift card code!

Have fun! I hope you like this place as much as I do.