Jess' Lessons in Thrifting

I've had a couple of posts on things I've thrifted, and I think it's time I tell you all my tips for the best shopping experience. I have some favorite items, and things I'm not sure I should have spent money on, and this is what I've learned -

Keep "The List" in your purse/pocket at all times.

• This is stuff you want to look out for - a particular piece of furniture, a piece of art, a type of clothing.  It's easy to get overwhelmed in-store and forget what you might actually need to shop for.
• Right now, I just crossed off new desk, since I found one this morning for $15.  But I'm still looking for a better way to store yarn, a pretty crochet blanket, hobby books, and gold shoes.

If you are buying clothing, treat it like you would any piece of sale clothing at a retail store.

• Don't buy it just because it's cheap.  Buy it if you'll wear it, if you'd like to try altering clothing, if your kids will wear it.  
• Buy it if it's in good shape - not too worn, faded, no snags, no missing pieces or beads.  
• Also, most stores will have a "Designer" clothing section.  I bought a gorgeously hideous cardigan (you know, the so-ugly-it's-cute puppy dilemma?) that I later found out sells new for $150.  Wow.  It actually gets a lot of compliments when I wear it.



This one apparently cost someone $150 once. I think I spent $7.

• Put together some outfits - there's some great opportunities there.
• I call this one the 70s stewardess.  Not sure if I'll wear it out or save it for Halloween with some teal or burgundy tights.  Terrible, and I love it.

If it's furniture, see how sturdy it is.

• Some instability issues are easy to fix - tighten nuts, bolts, whatever.  Some are more complex, and might not be worth your money.

This guy? Not so sturdy...already needs repairs.

Know your store's return policies.

• Ours have different ones for different things.  I think you have 2 weeks on clothing, 2 days on electronics, and so on.  

Some days are better than others to thrift.

• Our Goodwill, for instance, gets stripped clean over the weekend from so many shoppers, and the best time to go for an influx of new things is usually Monday afternoon to Tuesday.  Most people donate over the weekend, so towards the end of the week, you don't usually find much worthwhile.

Know if your store has special sale days.

• Some do a discount on certain color price tags each day of the week.

• If there's a station to test electronics there, do it. 

• Better to test then than to have to make another trip.  Not everything works.

Know what you are capable of doing and learning, in terms of repairs.

• Can you refinish furniture? Would it be worth it, time and money wise?  Things like rewiring a lamp are relatively simple, and you can pick the parts up at the local hardware store on the cheap.  Some things are worth learning.  And with some of the old lamps, to me, it's just peace of mind to rewire them.

My Goodwill lamp my awesome husband rewired.

Know what it would cost full price.

• If you see a tank top you really like at Goodwill for $5, remember that Target runs great sales on those regularly, and you can probably buy it new for close to that price.

Always check out the book/cd/record section, if there is one.

• My kids love getting whatever books they want, since they are usually only a dollar for kid's books at our Goodwill.  I've found some fantastic crafting books, hardcover, for 3 or so bucks each.  You know, the Reader's Digest ones that teach you everything, and are full of pictures. I found a craft book once with all the 70s patterns in it still too.  That was awesome.
• Our store also has CDs for $1. I found an unopened Curious George soundtrack once, and it's lived in my car for months.

Thrift stores are a great place to buy baskets.

• Cheap ones, in all shapes and sizes.  Keep that in mind for Easter, because you can spray paint anything.

Buy baby/kid's clothes at Goodwill.

• Things I know I couldn't get for that price in real retail land. Jeans, button up shirts...as long as they are in good condition, they are perfect for expanding their wardrobes.
• Most kids are in out of clothes sizes so fast when they're babies and toddlers, and a lot of clothes see little wear.

Don't scoff at the shoes!

• Many times people donate shoes they wore for just that one special occasion, and have hardly any wear.  
• Same with the dresses.

Black and sparkly, I wore this to the company holiday party.

• Most dresses have very little wear and tear, and were worn once or twice.  You can find some fantastic gems.

I bought this one to make a skirt...turns out it fits me nicely!

There's plenty of toys

• Some have all their parts, some don't.  Know what you care about.
• My kids don't care if they are missing parts, I've taught them not to. It's a personal decision, but I want them to be happy with what they have, and know that they don't need "new" and "better" all the time.  More often than not, they would lose them in 10 minutes anyway, and they get to be creative with say, who lives in the dollhouse now.  Our dollhouse is often full of plastic animals and cars, living out their happy lives. This day had a pirate and some other guy...looks like he fell off the roof or something...

Besides saving money, thrifting has been a great way to keep things out the landfill, and when we're done with something, I don't feel bad sending it right back to Goodwill, since a good percentage of their proceeds go back to giving people job training.

That's all for today - hope this helps your thrifting!  I'm off to wear my stewardess outfit. :)

Here's a hint at something coming up soon -