A Basic Guide to Thrift Store Shopping

Part of my game plan for living frugally, that I have put into practice over the last forty years includes the tips presented in this guide to thrift store shopping. Thrift store shopping might seem like regular shopping, but there really is a big difference! How is shopping at a thrift store unlike making purchases in regular stores? Well, because most of the merchandise is used and each item is unique, you need different strategies to make thrift store shopping more effective. 

The merchandise in thrift stores has been donated usually and is generally not new. It is therefore important to inspect the merchandise to see that it is complete and functional without imperceptible imperfections. For clothing you want to make sure there are no holes, stains, ripped seams, malfunctioning zippers or botched alterations. Do the snap buttons all work? While it is fine to buy something defective, make sure you are able and willing to do what it takes to fix it.

I once found a beautiful virgin wool coat made in Germany for under $10. The hem had been completely taken out as if someone meant to change the hemline, but abandoned the project. I bought the coat, re-hemmed it and repaired the top stitching. I now owned a quality $400 coat for just under $20, after I paid for the dry cleaning.

It is important then, to check the clothes before you buy them. Pay special attention to the collar, cuffs, underarms and front of the garment where people tend to spill things. For slacks, check the zipper area, back seam and the hemmed areas. If clothing is synthetic, you want to check it carefully for burn holes.

To land a good bargain, be prepared to buy items out of season, e.g. skates in spring and summer clothing or lawn chairs in winter. They are at the second hand shop because people are cleaning out items they do not want to put in storage and the thrift shop will likely want to clear them out as well because they are not in season. It is possible to get items at a deep discount this way.

While shopping, when you see something you like, put it in your basket or cart. If you decide ultimately not to buy it, you can put it back before you go to the till. Keep in mind that merchandise in thrift stores is not restocked like in regular stores and when you visit again, the item you passed up will likely not be there anymore.

Some thrift stores put merchandise out daily though out the day. Others have a set time when most of the merchandise is brought out. They will often have a day where the store is closed and volunteers stock the shelves. When the shop reopens is the best time to shop to get first dibs at the items. Other opportune times are when the weather is exceptionally poor, keeping folks home or when it is hot and they are opting for the pool or the beach.

Trying to pop in for a quick look when others are preoccupied will give you an advantage.

Due to the nature of thrift stores you will not likely find bargains or things you need each time you visit. The trick is to get in the habit of making a quick scout of the store on a regular basis and you will find amazing stuff. For years I had one hour while two of my children were in music lessons. This one hour every week netted me so much on a regular basis, that the savings helped pay for the lessons. Here is a smattering of what I found: children's clothing and outerwear, yarn and embroidery thread, patterns, kitchen items, a vacuum cleaner and lamps, encyclopedias, books and magazines, gold and silver jewelry, shoes and boots.

Shopping second hand can save you a lot of cash in the long run. Applying these tips can save you even more. I hope this guide to thrift store shopping has helped you progress in the living frugal lifestyle. Have fun shopping!

Frugal Living - Changing Your Perspective on What is Essential

Frugal living is almost a necessity for many people in this day and age. With prices going up and up, it is a challenge for most families to have something left over at the end of the month to add to their savings.

It is surprising what we learn when we begin to practice thrift at home. Today I want to share some tips with you about living frugally, that I learned over the past almost thirty years of married life. We were married in late 1980 and in the early spring of 1981 there was no work for my husband who is an industrial electrician. Who could have guessed that would happen -certainly not me! I thought there would always be work available in vocations like construction, nursing and teaching. This downturn of the economy taught me lessons that I still value today.

We do not always need what we want or imagine we have to have. While it is nice to only buy new things, second hand works too. Furniture, appliances, vehicles and electronics are often available at excellent prices due to people moving or upgrading. I remember buying a desk second hand from an elderly couple who were downsizing. After we explained that we had moved out of province due to lack of work at home and that we were setting up a household temporarily, until things got better, they gave us a bunk bed, a table and various kitchen utensils. They were happy to give the items to someone who needed them and we were delighted with the gifts. Often older furniture is more durable and with a coat of paint or stain can be made to look like new. Changing one's perspective on what is essential can help a person manage with a lot less.

Personally, I found that comparing my situation with those less fortunate, has aided me in being grateful for what I do have. Once, when I felt our three bedroom home was getting too cramped for a family of six, we received a newsletter from a mission in which mention was made of a mother and daughter living on a balcony. A balcony! Immediately, I tried to picture our family living under those circumstances. Suddenly I was very grateful for all the space we enjoyed. It was amazing to me to realize that my circumstances had not changed one bit, but my perspective sure had!

When you open any fashion magazine, you cannot miss the emphasis on clothes. But how many clothes does a person actually need? Generally people have far more clothes than they wear on a regular basis. Deciding to stop acquiring anything for a certain time frame can help you with your budget. Sometimes just pairing up your clothes differently gives you a new look. For frugal living, not buying clothes for awhile, can add substantially to your savings.

Saving money at the grocery store can also make a difference in the weekly budget. Cooking your own cereal and doing your own baking can save you big time. Buying boxed breakfast cereals, cookies, cake and bread really adds up. Besides saving money when you make your own, you will not have to eat all those ingredients you can scarcely pronounce and that sound more like chemicals than food. If you do not have time in the morning to cook cereal, you can prepare it in the crock pot the night before. In the vegetable section look for clearance items. Often produce, with spots you can remove will still make a lovely soup or stew. Mildly bruised apples can be used for apple crisp, apple pie, or apple sauce.

If thrift at home is not something you grew up with, it will require adjustments to change your habits. Managing with less is a goal you need to embrace and strive to reach. Examine the ways you can change your perspective and engage your creativity. Use your common sense, be patient with yourself and your family members as you go through changes. Think of the rewards you will gain when you accept the challenge to succeed at frugal living.