Buying time

Where and how do these girls decide to spend those dollars? And what might their decisions reveal about young-consumer spending habits in a contracting economy?

According to a national survey published last month by Piper Jaffrey, a Minnesota-based market research company, overall teen spending on fashion and accessories - which makes up nearly half of all teen spending - is down 14 percent from a year ago. That's a big number in a slice of the economy estimated at $127 billion annually. But the combination of fewer parental dollars flowing in and fewer part-time jobs available is clearly hitting teens' wallets, too, not just mom's and dad's. One result, say retail industry analysts, is teens are now bargain shopping as savvily as they stalk the latest styles from popular retailers like Hollister, American Eagle, and Abercrombie & Fitch.

Devyn Jaffe, 15; Stephanie Strager, 14; Sarah Muller, 14; and Danica Villanueva, 15, are freshman at Swampscott High School. All but Strager have shopped together before, usually at the North Shore Mall in Peabody, where they've planned to meet this Saturday at 1 p.m. Each has brought cash - no credit cards or gift cards - earned through part-time work.

Jaffe baby-sits to make extra spending money and typically carries about $100 on a mall trip, she says, but has dipped into a "secret stash" for another $30 today. Strager has $280 saved from working as a teacher's assistant at a Swampscott temple. "When I do have money I usually spend it right away," says Strager, who anticipates making multiple clothing purchases during the course of the afternoon.

Muller baby-sits and does household chores to underwrite her shopping. With only $20 in her pocketbook, though, she figures this will be more of a social outing than a shopping spree. Villanueva carries the largest sum - $300 - accumulated through baby-sitting jobs and by working for a family business website.

All say they'll be bargain hunting for spring and summer clothing while moving quickly from store to store - a script not always followed precisely over the next few hours.

12:45 p.m.: Lucky Brand (jeans, clothing, accessories)

Villanueva arrives early and heads for the Lucky Brand clothing store, where she purchases a pair of $130 jeans for $80, using a 40 percent discount coupon she's saved for this purpose. "I didn't want the others to have to stand around while I tried on a bunch of jeans," she explains before joining the others for lunch.

1:02 p.m.: food court

The four meet over lunch to review the afternoon's game plan. Villanueva and Muller split a $7.20 order of Chinese food and lemonade. Strager pays $5.95 for a sandwich and soda. Jaffe does the same. One goal for the day, all four agree, is to help Strager replenish a wardrobe that's in serious need of upgrading.

1:34 p.m.: American Eagle (clothing, accessories)

The girls hurry toward racks of tops and skirts marked "Clearance $9.95 & Up." All but Muller take an armful into the fitting rooms. "This is going to end well," Villanueva predicts. Strager tries on five pieces, takes two to the checkout line, and plunks down $24.50 for a pair of tops originally priced at $15 apiece. Jaffe tries on one dress but doesn't like it and departs empty-handed. Villanueva uses her AE frequent shopper card to purchase a pair of tops for $43 (one for $34.50, the second for $9.50), earning more bonus points in the process.

1:59 p.m.: PacSun (sportswear, footwear, accessories)

The girls duck inside but spend less than two minutes poking around, exiting at a rapid clip.

2:03 p.m.: Urban Behavior (fashion, footwear, accessories)

Hustling by a sale sign at the front entrance, the girls fan out and grab armloads of garments to try on. "No, I could not pull that off," Jaffe jokingly tells Villanueva, holding up a hot-pink microskirt. Minutes later, the girls assemble in the fitting room area to trade outfits and opinions for the next 30 minutes. Many items are rejected as "too lacy" or "too preppy," yet they find plenty of $20-and-under merchandise to their liking. The dressing area piles up with discards as they make their final selections in between text-messaging breaks and cellphone conversations. Strager settles on two patterned tops totaling $35.60. Muller opts for a $15 tank top, her sole purchase of the day. Villanueva buys a half-dozen tops for $65, none costing more than $12. Bargain hunting, indeed.

2:50 p.m.: snack break

Sipping a Sprite Zero ($1.99) at a mall kiosk, Strager admits she relies heavily on friends' opinions in deciding what to buy - yet spends her money without parental interference, since she's earned it herself. Villanueva is singled out for having "very edgy tastes" and a great eye for bargains, the others say. Regarding the current recession, "Everyone at school says they don't have any money these days," but they still wear the latest styles, according to Villanueva. Despite cutbacks in family budgets, she adds, there's still plenty of babysitting work available to those who want it. Strager guesses the economy is affecting parents more than teenagers, although schoolmates "talk about the economy a lot," she reports.

3:09 p.m.: Abercrombie & Fitch

Muller goes home early. The other three wander into an Abercrombie's outlet jammed with teen and tween shoppers. Frowning at the hefty price tags they see, even on marked-down racks, Villanueva tries on a pair of $40 jeans but swiftly puts them back. Strager tries on jeans, too, but dislikes their fit or look as well. Jaffe selects a plain white top reduced from $36 to $19. Strager settles on a $17 tank top for her younger sister, explaining that her sister doesn't have a lot of designer clothes. "When I shop here for myself, I like to get her something, too," she says.

3:33 p.m.: Macy's

Taking the down escalator, the girls head to the department store where the clothing is hipper and more age-appropriate. Signs advertising 25 to 50 percent off are everywhere. They spend the next hour combing through marked-down inventory, Villanueva being tempted by a $130 Guess bomber jacket before finally deciding it's too pricey. Strager picks up a brown overshawl and two tops for $48, taking a $15 discount in exchange for a $5 charitable donation. Jaffe buys a pair of purple jeans for $30.

4:39 p.m.: Sephora (beauty products, haircare, skincare)

"I love this store, but it's really expensive," Villanueva says of a newly opened shop in the Nordstrom's wing of the mall. After meeting with a saleswoman - all are outfitted in nightclub-worthy black clothing and wireless headsets - Strager is given a full makeover for free, even though she admits up front that she might not buy anything today. (She doesn't.) The others try on lip gloss, eye shadow, and tinted moisturizer, making mental notes of the brands and colors they like, which they intend to shop for elsewhere at better prices.

5:09 p.m.: Aerie (underwear, sleepwear, beauty products)

Last stop. Jaffe buys a $10 tank top, bringing her tally to $66.94 for the day. Villanueva spends $6 on underwear, rounding out her day's spending at $206.30. Strager spends $19.75 on underwear; total outlay: $132.60.

By 5:30 p.m. the girls are headed home, wearing some of the items they've bought and satisfied they've gotten good mileage out of those hard-earned dollars. Looking back on the day's bargain hunting, Villanueva says, "With money so tight these days, you have to watch out for what you need more than what you want. You have to be more practical. But we had fun shopping together, too."

Joseph P. Kahn can be reached at jkahn@globe.com.