My teenage son, Thomas, likes to thrift shop. While the average teen is spending 40 or more hours online on a weekly basis, there is a high percentage of teens, like Thomas, who enjoy "thrifting."Why? There is an ongoing pressure for teens to wear new fashions that set them apart from others, and earn them "trend starter" status. Today, it's cool to create your own look. Your typical department store may have a limited selection of clothing and accessories, making it hard for the average teen to stand out. It can also be difficult to maintain a fashionable look on a limited budget. Additionally, the transition to adulthood and the struggle to be independent plays into the thrifting phenomena. Affordable prices enable teens to customize and individualize their fashions, while spending money on their own terms, and to shop with friends -- and without parents.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jim-gibbons/thrifting-is-good_b_880136.html)