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10 Tips for Building An Amazing Sneaker Collection On A Budget

Modified on December 11, 2022 at 1:10 AM

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If you love buying new shoes and want to become a certified sneakerhead but have been putting off your collection-building efforts due to a lack of funds, you might be wondering if there’s a way for you to “ball on a budget” without breaking the bank. While there will inevitably be certain shoes that you simply won’t be able to afford as a financially restricted buyer, there are many more that most people can easily save up for, and there are numerous ways to obtain decent brand name sneakers for anywhere from $30-$70 or less on a regular basis. With a bit of strategy and the help of the following ten tips, anyone should be able to step their sneaker game up, even on an ordinary income.

1. Air Force 1s Are Your Friend

The Nike Air Force 1 is like the budgeting shoe collector’s best friend because it comes in thousands of color variations, new styles are released every season, and you can find pairs for anywhere from $50-$80 very easily. While there are some rare collector’s editions that sell for hundreds of dollars and exceptionally rare or exotic pairs can go for as high as $1,000+, you can easily find diverse selections of affordable AF1 releases online. 

2. Go for “Athleisure” Style Sneakers

Saving up enough money to buy causal, athletic, and luxury shoes can be difficult when you’re operating with limited funds. Some shoes fall under an in-between category that combines the best of all three worlds into one design e.g. the aforementioned Air Force 1 or Nike’s Air Max line. These are shoes that look nice enough to be considered luxurious casual wear, yet functional enough to be useful for any athletic or active use. Choose shoes that are suitable for various occasions so that you don’t have to rotate through a small number of pairs of each style, and pair them with matching apparel, such as shirts to match with Air Jordan 1 shoes. The only time you may need to deviate away from your athleisure collection is when you require dress shoes because you’re going to be dressed formally in a suit and tie – obviously, sneakers might not be the best option then.   

3. Take Advantage of Promotional Deals

If you’re really trying to save money as much as possible, it’s best to only buy sneakers that are being sold at a discounted price and shop online. There are plenty of shoe sales happening online at any given time, so it’s really just a matter of paying attention to the sale start and end dates. Subscribe to the newsletters and weekly updates that are offered by many shoe retailers so you can be instantly notified about upcoming promotions.

4. Try Your Hand on Auction Sites

You might be wary about placing bids for sneakers on auction sites like eBay because there’s always the concern that you might not get what you paid for, or the sneakers could be in worse than condition than advertised. However, if you’re thorough about checking seller feedback and you set a maximum bid amount, you can often get in on some excellent second-hand deals for hard-to-find sneakers. Many sneakerheads use auction sites to liquidate their old pairs, and the market is so busy that you can often find auctions with very little bidding competition and sometimes with no minimum reserve price. 

5. Give the Local Thrift Store a Try

Buying shoes from a thrift store is usually not an option that most people would want to consider, but in rare cases you can stumble upon some very gently used name brand sneakers for incredibly low prices. This is an especially good tip if you wear a smaller size, as often times sneakers are donated to thrift stores for no other reason than the owner grew out of them – aesthetically there may be absolutely nothing wrong with them. In terms of affordability, you really can’t beat thrift store pricing, so stopping by and seeing what they have is always worth a shot, even if it is a long shot that they’ll have something appealing in your size and style preference. 

6. Sort Catalogs by Price

Every online sneaker retailer will provide sorting options that you can use to filter your results based on a variety of criteria. The fastest way to find the cheapest deal on any site is to use the “sort by price: lowest to highest” option. This can usually be found somewhere near the top or side of the search results after you search for a specific term. To get the broadest range of cheap options, simply use a general term like “sneakers” and then adjust the sorting options once the initial results are returned. 

7. Clean and Maintain Your Shoes Regularly

If your goal is to expand the size of your collection, it doesn’t make sense to go around ruining the pairs that you already have. At that point, you’re just buying new sneakers to replace the ones you’re tearing up. Set rules about how and when you wear certain shoes. Designate a pair or two of old shoes for play and leave the rest of your collection for special occasions. Wipe down and clean shoes when you’re done wearing them. Store them stuffed with newspaper and in their original box to prevent creasing and dust build-up. 

8. Sign Up for Rewards Programs

Most online footwear retailers offer rewards programs that will give you a certificate for $10 or $20 every time you spend a couple a hundred dollars on their site. Some of them will also send you certificates worth at least $10 for your birthday. One of the best feelings comes when you stack up enough rewards points and certificates to obtain already discounted shoes at a next-to-nothing price. 

9. Wait Until the Release Hype Dies Down

Buying the latest sneakers on their release date is a horrible move for anyone who is trying to save money. Often times, you can find the same exact shoe 6 months later for half the price. In the case of expensive or rare collector’s editions, the price may actually go up with time, but in the case of most new releases, it’s a lot like any other technology – it’s much cheaper after it’s been out for a while. 

10. Shop Around

Settling for the first price you find is a sure-fire way to expose yourself to the risk of overpaying. Why pay more when you don’t have to? Check local sneaker and clothing outlets for surprising deals, and try using shopping comparison plugins or search aggregators like Google Shopping to find the lowest price for each pair you buy. 

10 Pairs of Sneakers is a Good Starter Collection

While saving up money and gradually building your collection over time is definitely a feasible option, sometimes it’s better to just go ahead and sacrifice a chunk of a pay check on a $500-$800 in order to stock up on a collection of 10-15 pairs and get your collection rolling with the basics. From there, you can buy one pair a month, or one every other month, and you’ll already have a sizeable line-up to build upon.  

Ultimately, you don’t have to be rich to have an extensive sneaker collection. Here’s an example that illustrates how just about anyone can have a collection of sneakers after 1- 2 years of collecting:

Let’s say you only make $30,000/year (roughly $625/week). If you spent 4% of your income on shoes, you could buy seventeen $70 pairs (about $1200 worth of sneakers) every year – about one pair every three weeks. After two years of doing that, you would have roughly 35-45 pairs, considering you’ll be getting discounts by putting the tips above to good use.  

Related posts:

Best Work Shoes For Women In 2021Best Work Shoes For Women In 2021 waterproof sneakersToday’s Outfit: Loom Waterproof Sneakers Nike History: Everything You Need to Know About the Iconic BrandNike History: Everything You Need to Know About the Iconic Brand 10 Comfy Sneakers Every Busy Mom Needs10 Comfy Sneakers Every Busy Mom Needs

Posted By Guest Blogger
on July 23, 2019 at 9:04 AM
Filed Under: Shoes Shoes Shoes!
Tagged With: athleisure, budget friendly, Budget Shopping, Nike, Shoes, Sneakers, Thrift Store

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Sarah-Jean Ballard

Hi! I’m Sarah-Jean. I’m a Christian, the wife of a handsome Molecular Biologist, and the homeschooling mother of 5 beautiful kids!

I enjoy homesteading, reading, writing, cooking, baking, crafting, home decorating, Xtend Barre, and of course, fashion!

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You do not find a happy life. You make it. 

That’s the biggest lesson that grief has taught me. If I just wait around to be happy again, I’ll die sad. 

You don’t get through grief and come out the other side. That’s not how it works. You learn how to grow around it like a tree grows around a rock that’s in the way. You don’t wait for the rock to move. Cause it’s not gonna. 

Choose happy. And then make it happen. 

#choosehappy #joyinthejourney #griefjourney #healingfromtrauma
8 billion smiles in the world, but his is my favor 8 billion smiles in the world, but his is my favorite. 

Happy Valentine’s Day, @daeinexplains 🥰

The last 20 years with you have been my favorite years on this earth. ❤️ 

If I did anything right in my life, it was when I decided to give my heart to you.  You are my best friend, my soul mate, my better half, my rock, my everything. 

I love you.

#couplegoals #marriedlife #motherhoodthroughinstagram #weddingday #marriagegoals #yourestilltheone
Kids love helping if you just let them!💁🏼‍ Kids love helping if you just let them!💁🏼‍♀️

This little guy always asks to help when he sees me cleaning the house, washing the floors, doing laundry, or emptying the dishwasher. That’s what I love about Montessori parenting - it allows kids to do  big jobs and in turn makes them eager to help! 

He was over the moon when we gave him the @lovevery floor mop that actually works! He uses it daily now. The mopping pad is machine washable and you can refill the fluid container on it. I usually just do water and a drop of essential oils because he loves it when everything smells clean! 😜 

Definitely recommend! If you want to grab this mop for your little helper, it’s in the Storyteller Play Kit from Lovevery for 3 year olds. 

LlNK is in my bio to get FREE shipping! 💃🏼

#lovevery #loveverytoddler #loveverypartner #montessoriathome #montessoriplayroom #montessoritoddler
Stop trying to fit your square self in a round hol Stop trying to fit your square self in a round hole. 

Sometimes we outgrown relationships. Sometimes we realize someone else isn’t a good influence on our lives. Sometimes we realize we aren’t a good influence for someone else. Sometimes we need to let things go that aren’t good for us in order to grow. And that’s ok. 

Stop trying to sit at a table you are no longer welcome at. Just be yourself, focus on God, love your family and friends, and the right people will gravitate to you. ✌🏻 

#raisingsaints #momlife #motherhoodunplugged #selflovejourney #growingpains #selfcaresunday
When your toaster breaks from a power surge you ta When your toaster breaks from a power surge you take that as a sign that it’s time to upgrade! 🤪

It wasn’t hard to pick a new 4 slice toaster. As soon as I saw this one from @haden_usa I added it to my cart. I bought it from @lordandtaylor because it had the fastest shipping and I didn’t want to wait! 

No fancy electronics, screens, or extra features we don’t need. Just simple, straight forward functions and perfect results everytime. Plus it matches all my @cafeappliances too! 😂👍🏻

What do you think of this 4 slice toaster?! 

#toasters #kitchenappliances #kitchendesign #kitchendecor #whitekitchen #farmhousekitchen #farmhousestyle #whiteappliances
I’m obsessed with these leather booties from @en I’m obsessed with these leather booties from @enjoiya! 💃🏼 

The “Steffi” in green are the perfect boots for ushering in spring weather with their delicious vintage leather and worn-in look right out of the box. I love the chunky lug soles and inside zippers to get them on and off easily. 

These are the boots you’ll want to wear again and again. And again. 

Use my coupon code BALLARD20 to get 20% off your order! Find them on www.enjoiya.com

#leatherbooties #enjoiya #italianshoes #realmomstyle #momstyle #momstyletips
All the poop shoveling doesn’t seem so bad with All the poop shoveling doesn’t seem so bad with the prices of eggs right now! 🤪 🐔 🥚 

Guess it’s ok to be a crazy chicken lady and have a homestead now! 🤣

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Considering he was my 6th child, it's possible he would have been here by now. It’s been extra hard for me this week. 

Despite my best efforts to be strong and stay positive, I am completely brokenhearted. I’m just being honest. I could pretend I’m fine, but that doesn't do me or anyone else any good to be dishonest about the pain of miscarriage or the grief that comes with losing a child. 

My heart is completely shattered from having an empty womb and an empty nursery. An empty bassinet in the corner and unused tiny newborn outfits, all washed, folded, and ready… for nothing. 

It makes me physically sick to my stomach when I think about it all and I can't even fathom how I got here. How did I get here? 

This isn't how it's supposed to be! I should be holding a newborn right now! It’s so unfair. 

In an instant, my baby was gone and there was nothing I could do to change that. 

It doesn't matter how much time passes or what else happens in life, I will always miss him. My heart with always long for my baby. 

Those who haven't experienced loss tell you that "Don’t worry! Things will get better, just focus on the positive!" but people who actually know this grief and what it actually feels like to lose a baby, won’t tell you that. They know this hard road. They understand that unfortunately you don't just “get over it.” 

The grief doesn't just go away, even if you try to ignore it, it's still there. Like the sun. You don’t have to look at it to know it’s there. You can turn your back on it but it will still warm your skin. 

The grief from losing a child is unbearable. 
It is unpredictable.
It is unforgiving.
It is relentless.
It is all-consuming.
And it completely shatters you when you don’t expect it. 

You don’t get over it. You don’t forget. You simply learn to live with it. And I’m learning to live with it every day. 

It’s been 137 days I’ve had to live without my baby. 

Lord Jesus, please… hold me extra tight tonight. 

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You do not find a happy life. You make it. 

That’s the biggest lesson that grief has taught me. If I just wait around to be happy again, I’ll die sad. 

You don’t get through grief and come out the other side. That’s not how it works. You learn how to grow around it like a tree grows around a rock that’s in the way. You don’t wait for the rock to move. Cause it’s not gonna. 

Choose happy. And then make it happen. 

#choosehappy #joyinthejourney #griefjourney #healingfromtrauma
8 billion smiles in the world, but his is my favor 8 billion smiles in the world, but his is my favorite. 

Happy Valentine’s Day, @daeinexplains 🥰

The last 20 years with you have been my favorite years on this earth. ❤️ 

If I did anything right in my life, it was when I decided to give my heart to you.  You are my best friend, my soul mate, my better half, my rock, my everything. 

I love you.

#couplegoals #marriedlife #motherhoodthroughinstagram #weddingday #marriagegoals #yourestilltheone
Kids love helping if you just let them!💁🏼‍ Kids love helping if you just let them!💁🏼‍♀️

This little guy always asks to help when he sees me cleaning the house, washing the floors, doing laundry, or emptying the dishwasher. That’s what I love about Montessori parenting - it allows kids to do  big jobs and in turn makes them eager to help! 

He was over the moon when we gave him the @lovevery floor mop that actually works! He uses it daily now. The mopping pad is machine washable and you can refill the fluid container on it. I usually just do water and a drop of essential oils because he loves it when everything smells clean! 😜 

Definitely recommend! If you want to grab this mop for your little helper, it’s in the Storyteller Play Kit from Lovevery for 3 year olds. 

LlNK is in my bio to get FREE shipping! 💃🏼

#lovevery #loveverytoddler #loveverypartner #montessoriathome #montessoriplayroom #montessoritoddler
Stop trying to fit your square self in a round hol Stop trying to fit your square self in a round hole. 

Sometimes we outgrown relationships. Sometimes we realize someone else isn’t a good influence on our lives. Sometimes we realize we aren’t a good influence for someone else. Sometimes we need to let things go that aren’t good for us in order to grow. And that’s ok. 

Stop trying to sit at a table you are no longer welcome at. Just be yourself, focus on God, love your family and friends, and the right people will gravitate to you. ✌🏻 

#raisingsaints #momlife #motherhoodunplugged #selflovejourney #growingpains #selfcaresunday
When your toaster breaks from a power surge you ta When your toaster breaks from a power surge you take that as a sign that it’s time to upgrade! 🤪

It wasn’t hard to pick a new 4 slice toaster. As soon as I saw this one from @haden_usa I added it to my cart. I bought it from @lordandtaylor because it had the fastest shipping and I didn’t want to wait! 

No fancy electronics, screens, or extra features we don’t need. Just simple, straight forward functions and perfect results everytime. Plus it matches all my @cafeappliances too! 😂👍🏻

What do you think of this 4 slice toaster?! 

#toasters #kitchenappliances #kitchendesign #kitchendecor #whitekitchen #farmhousekitchen #farmhousestyle #whiteappliances
I’m obsessed with these leather booties from @en I’m obsessed with these leather booties from @enjoiya! 💃🏼 

The “Steffi” in green are the perfect boots for ushering in spring weather with their delicious vintage leather and worn-in look right out of the box. I love the chunky lug soles and inside zippers to get them on and off easily. 

These are the boots you’ll want to wear again and again. And again. 

Use my coupon code BALLARD20 to get 20% off your order! Find them on www.enjoiya.com

#leatherbooties #enjoiya #italianshoes #realmomstyle #momstyle #momstyletips
All the poop shoveling doesn’t seem so bad with All the poop shoveling doesn’t seem so bad with the prices of eggs right now! 🤪 🐔 🥚 

Guess it’s ok to be a crazy chicken lady and have a homestead now! 🤣

#momlife #crazychickenlady #homesteadlife
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