Do you shop at thrift stores? If not, you should! 

Why?

Bargains! Bargains! Bargains! 

And a few more reasons:

1. Save Money:  If you have recently moved into a new home, your furnishing and decorating needs can be easily met at a thrift store, even if you are on a tight budget.

• • If you have kids, you know that kids seem to grow a foot a year, which means they always need new clothes, especially babies.
  • Does a teen live in your home? If so, they may be “finding” themselves…frequently…which includes a constantly changing wardrobe or an ever-changing bedroom theme.

2. Give Back to Your Community: Donating your unwanted items along with shopping at non-profit or charitable organizations benefits your community. A few organizations to consider:  Goodwill, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, and St. Vincent de Paul.
3. Take Care of the Environment: Keeping unnecessary items out of our landfills is beneficial to planet Earth. Repurposing your unwanted items is one of the Four R’s of Green Living.
4. Surprises Around Every Corner: One of the best parts about shopping at thrift stores is you never know what kinds of treasures you will find.

• • Thrift stores can be a collector’s dream
  • You may find something valuable for mere pennies
  • Or something that used to be in your grandma’s kitchen
  • Can you say antiques, collectibles, period pieces, retro, and vintage?
  • It could be one of those, “I have to have that!” buys

5. DIY Projects: Where else can you find the perfect Do It Yourself pieces at a reasonable price?
6. Change it Up: When you were a kid, did you enjoy playing dress-up? Shopping thrift stores allows you the opportunity to return to your childhood years. You could spend hours trying on different clothes, and with the great deals, fill your closet with a new wardrobe for a fraction of the retail store cost.
7. Show Me the Money: People often donate items without knowing their real value. If you like antiquing or searching for hidden treasures, you might find them at a thrift shop. If you know what to look for, you may find something worth a lot of money. (If you are unsure, there are numerous antiquing apps to help estimate market values.)
8. Rainy Day Fun: Spending an afternoon in a thrift store with friends can be a fun and relatively inexpensive (try not to get carried away with all the deals) way to have a great time.
9. The Best Bargains to Be Found:  Of course, you want a deal. Through the years, people have found that the best deals at thrift stores are on these things:

• • Mirrors
  • Vases, bottles and candle holders
  • Dome clocks
  • Dishes, pitchers and serving ware
  • Wood furniture – not particleboard
  • Lamps and light fixtures
  • Toys
  • Books, vases, candlesticks, and trays
  • Baby clothes
  • Halloween costumes
  • Homecoming/Prom dresses
  • Maternity clothes
  • Classic vinyl records
  • Picture frames
  • Photo albums
  • Bikes
  • Seasonal décor
  • Wedding dresses
  • Small appliances (plug in all electrical items to check if they are working before purchasing)
  • Kitchen supplies
  • Tools
  • Jeans
  • Arts and crafts supplies
  • Purses, belts, and scarves
  • Jewelry cabinets
  • DVD
  • Pyrex and glassware
  • Sporting equipment
  • Exercise equipment
  • The perfect Ugly Sweater
  • T-shirts galore
  • Unique gifts

Thrift stores have something for just about everyone!

If you are decluttering and plan on donating, most thrift stores need clothing (especially men’s), basic everyday furniture, housewares, and baby supplies. 

If you are unsure of whether or not you have acceptable thrift store items, check out this general list of Do’s and Don’ts. (Your local thrift stores will have guidelines, too.)

And here’s a little known fact: Thrift stores have sales! So be sure to ask about them!

So, put some cash in your wallet and head to your local thrift shop! Once you get the thrift store shopping bug, your new favorite words will be pre-loved, previously owned, and secondhand!