Why you should shop at thrift stores if you don't already

I donate stuff to the Goodwill, then walk around the front and buy a few things. I prefer Goodwill because I know where the money is going. We have a Savers in town that always has some whacko stuff that is great for costumes, but the money goes to unnamed local non profits, so I never donate there.

When I was growing up we WERE poor. I didnt even get thrift store goods, I got my sisters hand me downs or the neighbors hand me downs LOL I HATED it. I also never got name brand shoes...and my mother kept me in velcro shoes till 3rd grade (I begged her for laces!) hahaha

Anyway, growing up poor I HATED all the hand me downs and I swore i would never do that to my kids. Well, here I am a mother of two boys (currently 10 and 14) and guess what? We LOVE Value Village! I told the boys this past fall that we needed to go to the mall for school shopping...they HATE the mall...and they ASKED to go to Bargain World instead because they were having a 50% off sale. The 3 of us kind of enjoy the "hunt". My hubs...very much does NOT enjoy it. He's a name brand KING.

Can I afford to shop the mall and buy all name brand? YES. But I just really enjoy the "thrill" of spending $60 on 4 or 5 HUGE bags of clothes! I pretty much take all major holidays off of work for the simple fact that Value Village always has a 50% off sale those days LOL I also probably enjoy it more because its a choice to shop frugal. I'd probably be less thrilled if I HAD to rely on it.
FYI, we are an upper middle class income family. I'm proud of my frugal boys though :happy:

I'm like, "that's fifty dollars for a teeshirt..."

LOVE...

I do visit consignment shops for stuff like jackets and jeans for my kids. I have no problem with buying used. I just don't like the goodwill experience. But I will tell you this. The more affluent areas near where I live turned their Goodwill stores into ""Bluetiques". They focus on being super organized and clean. I've found name brand bags there. P.S Smells nice in there.

I love the thrift store! We have ARC and my sister is the best at finding great things. We pile up a cart and go to the dressing room. The last time I went I got a nice purse and a bunch of books for reading on the beach, but I have found great sweaters and a sweater dress.
And, I actually did get this big a55 coat, from the thriftstore down the road! it's long and furry and I love it.

I donate to thrift shops frequently, but I can't bring myself to shop there. I don't want "pre worn" clothes. Ya just never know where they've been.

YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE NEW CLOTHES HAVE BEEN EITHER. eVER HEARD OF PEOPLE WEARING THE CLOTHES AND BRINGING THEM BACK TO THE STORE? IT HAPPENS MORE OFTEN THEN NOT. THAT'S WHY YOU SHOULD WASH YOUR CLOTHES BEFORE YOU WEAR THEM.

aaaaand.... I always wonder how many people go "commando" and try stuff on... :noway:

I always wash stuff I buy - new or used!:bigsmile:

I love saving money, so I totally go Good Will and cling to clearance sales like a barnacle on a boat. Clothing is stupid expensive whist in transition, and I really can't justify spending money on clothing that I won't be able to wear in a couple of months.

I buy all my nephew's clothing (he's currently six months) at a consignment shop called Once Upon A Child, or if it's on clearance. That little thundercloud grows too quickly for $30+ baby clothes.

At the end of the day, if you're happy with what you've bought and the amount you paid for it than that's all that matters.

Nothing lasts forever. You could either spend a fortune trying to keep up with this era, or hit a thrift store and visit whichever era you choose. It's only fabric. Yes, I thrift.

No, I'm not poor.

Way to be an off-topic *kitten*. Right on, rich bro!

Way to create a fake account just to say something confrontational. Right on, brave bro!

I'm always perplexed when people wrinkle their nose at wearing clothing that someone else's rear-end has inhabited yet will go in a restaraunt and drink and eat from utensils and dishes that have been slurped, spit on and *inside* of umpteen thousand people's mouth. :drinker: Yes, there are dishwashers and there are dish washers. Trust 'em implicitly with the super magic portal that is your mouth?

Haha, I never thought about it that way before! I guess I trust clothes-washers and dishwashers equally then! But I agree, it's zany that people get all germophobic about wearing someone else's clothes, but then they don't wash their hands after using a public bathroom!!!

it!

Exactly. Not washing your hands. Yuck, gross, and ew. Leprechauns should be required to pee in your shoes daily if you're guilty of this.
*That* kinda biz oogs me out. I'll wear your old pants. Whew :laugh: But, please for all that is holy don't put your butt scratchin', nose pickin', naughty bit rearranging paws on my stuff. :noway:


*edited because my quote referencing the no hand washing bit. Dunno where it went or how to add it. :ohwell:

We have a high end thrift store here called Buffalo Exchange. I always find amazing things there. Sadly, they have all been for my daughter so I cannot wait to get down in size so I can find my own "vintage" treasures. I did find some sweet lightly used Converse Chuck Taylors with a pattern I had never seen on them for $9.00. So I was able to go for a manicure after because I'm not poor either (since a douche must advertise their financial state when it has nothing to do with it)

Are you in San Diego?? Buffalo Exchange is ah-mazing!!! Unfortunately I'm not in SD anymore, but we do have some awesome consignment shops around here...

Our goodwill is amazing, but our Value Village sucks and overprices everything just because they feel it is a "brand" name. My best finds are:

Elizabeth and James Pants (about 8 weeks after they were on the runway) $6.95
Hudson jeans $6
Citizen of Humanity Jeans $6
Joes Jeans $6
Bob Mackie Skirt (couture not mass market) $4
North face puffy vest for the husband $8
Theory Suit, both pieces with brand new tags on it $14
Stella McCartney Booties $14 (best score ever)

Now that I have lost a ton of weight I am finding more and more awesome items in the smaller sizes. It just keeps getting better.

And NOPE. Not poor, not even close. Just smart.

I've actually found brand new workout gear (tags still on) at a goodwill. So much better than paying $70+ for a pair of compression running capris.
Honestly, i just wish that i could find more stuff. I think the good stuff probably gets snapped up real quick. I'm probably at a size that most people wear too. most everything is either way to big/small.