Thrift tips

I think to really find the good stuff you gotta swing by frequently. If you know when they put new stuff out, then right after that of course! The more often I go, the better feel I get for what items they are overpricing and which they are underpricing (especially if I'm going to several), then you only buy what a store is pricing lower. I guess I feel like its more of an art than a science... to be really good at it, you got to get a thrill from the hunt itself...

mmmm... yard sale season is coming up...

Yay! I love the thrift store. :

For me the biggest tip is to try a lot of stores and see which ones have what you like. There is a Goodwill near me that has great baby/kids clothing. There is a different thrift store in a neighboring town that has great craft stuff (fabric, buttons, etc), but their kid clothing selection is pathetic. So know where to go. Also, know when the regular sale days are.

Another tip would be make sure you are buying something you need or love. Otherwise, it may become clutter. (Unless you are buying to sell on ebay or something I suppose).

My good finds:

wool sweaters (even cashmere!) - $3 (on 1/2 off day).
Baby Style polka dot crib bumper - $5.
GAP jeans - $2.50
various baby/kids clothing
puppet theater!

Tag sales rule... but you have to hit as many as you can because some are over-priced. I also shop the Sally and a couple of random, local thrift stores.

I keep a list of things we truly need and really want on me with all sizes and favorite colors etc listed so I know what to look for. I look for good solid brands like the children's place, osh kosh, etc. I keep an eye out for new stuff that would make good gifts like; baby clothes with the tags still on, still sealed puzzles and games etc. I always take a look at dishes of a certain color I like as I am a dropper and especially always need extra bowls. My set is charmingly mis-matched. (I am currently down to 3 bowls and 2 mugs for 5 people, though we have plenty of plates and salad plates) Oh! That reminds me! My favorite bowl, right color quirky style, I got free at our transfer station. (dump) There is a spot where people can leave stuff in case anyone else might want it. The dump guy will just junk it at the end of the day if no one takes it, but at least there is a chance it will be recycled. I got my bowl there and I love it.

Some of my better finds:

quirky bowl-FREE (dump)
plant pot with legs and feet-FREE (dump)
gorgeous 3 piece summer outfit for me-$8 (sally)
unopened yatzee game-$2.50 (sally)
3 boxes of books-FREE (tag sale)
Kipper videos- .25 cents each (tag sale)
Small bookshelf-FREE (tag sale)
Matched night tables-$2 for both (tag sale)

We have one thrift store that punches your card and when we have spent a $100 you get $10 off your next purchase over $10..

another store just seems to get nice stuff and prices it according.

My last trip thrift got me a a beautiful copper and amythest bracelet for $8. : I get complements on it.

What a good deal for your dutch oven.

And here I was all happy at my find months ago of a Wagner dutch oven for $20.

I go to the thrift store once a week and when they have their 50% off sale and on 99 cent Mondays. Okay, so I go more than 1X a week

I find so many useful homeschool items. Science projects by national geographic that haven't been opened for 1.99. Melissa and doug toys for $2. Books (.69 each) buy 3 get 1 free. Ravensburger puzzles for .69. These people have no clue what a gold mine they have...for me at least!!

My best find was a vintage retired Playmobil set that I got for $3. I sold it on Ebay for $100.

ok, today I found..

6 pairs of slacks that fit great (Nordstrom, Gap, etc) for $5 each and then 50%...

a brand new silk button down blouse for $6 (NWT- originally $45)

a large baggie of play fruit $4

plastic milk crate $1 (I donate these to my school- we use them in the book room to keep the titles together).

Not my best day, but not bad either!

Tips: look for items for OTHER people.. remember that is your purpose for being there.. that way if you strike out, you don't feel bad, and if you find something you need, then that is just a bonus!

Keep track of the best places to find a CERTAIN type of item. Value Village is hands down the cheapest for board games.. but for other stuff? no way. SPCA often has new unopened cat food for $3 *large bag* and a church thrift shop actually washes and irons all clothing.

I did my best thrifting every, possibly, today. I have to share it. Do you all have Goodwill "bins" in your cities? It's the Goodwill bargain store, where things aren't sorted and they are all out in big tables on bins? Here it is called Blue Hanger. Anyway, I went to the one here for the first time today. This picture is of my haul:

Here's what you are seeing:
A brand new cat scratching post, $3
A beautiful wicker sewing basket, $2
A stuffed snake (my dogs LOVE them), $1
Two wide mouth mason jars (I use them to hold bath salts, scrub, etc.), $.25 each
A burlap, plastic-lined reusable grocery bag with an organic coffee logo, $2
2 pairs of Banana Republic slacks for Mark, both in good shape, $1.25 each
A cool old-fashioned style bandana, $.25
A velvet bolero jacket/shrug/fancy cover up thing from Lane Bryant, $1.25
A red flowered Gap cami with built in bra, $1.25
A gorgeous black embroidered blouse from Lane Bryant, $1.25
Two pairs of capris for me, one Tommy Hilfiger, one Gap, $1.25 each
A fully lined black suit skirt for me, $1.25
TOTAL: $18.75 plus tax

Less than the scratching post alone would be retail. I am psyched.

ETA: And this place so made me wish I had kids! Tons of kids stuff (bouncy chairs, slings, you name it) and endless kids' clothes, for $1 each or less. Definitely check it out if you have something similar locally.

My best thrift tip is not to come to Asheville to thrift . We've always lived in towns or small cities. My real best tip, if you're in my situation is to go to thrift stores whenever you go to bigger cities! The more disposable income in the city, the better (Naples, FL and Boulder, CO come to mind as CHOICE thrifting towns). I prefer for-profit thrifts (as opposed to charities), mostly because they have bigger stores, better selection and better prices. I've only been to one of those Goodwill Outlet stores, in Charlotte, NC, and it was so dirty, I felt like I was getting head lice just walking it the door I think I bought 1 dress and a book.

I've had so many ridiculously good thrift store finds, too many to list:
Wool diaper covers - 25 cents each
Hanna and Lands End cotton tights - 25 cents each
NIB Stockmar Modeling Beeswax - $1
NWT Carhartt overalls - $8
Loads of high-end childrens & adult clothes (Hanna Andersson, Zoodles, Chicken Noodle, Oilily, Cakewalk, Zutano, etc.)
Oh, my most recent lovely find (non-clothing) was a red wood 6-foot long, 1-1/2 foot tall, 1 foot deep shelf for my kids' room for $5.

I actually started Ebaying just because I was finding so many good things and couldn't pass them up!

But even more importantly, thrifts only come in 3rd place of great bargains. First is yard sales BY FAR!! Next is consignment sales (not stores), then comes thrifts