What is “Thrifting”? Thrifting refers to the act of shopping at a thrift store, flea market, garage sale, or a shop of a charitable organization, usually with the intent of finding interesting items at a cheap price.
Here are my rules to “Thrifting” that will have you looking great for less.
1. Have an idea of what you are looking for to an “extent” – What happens when you go grocery shopping hungry? You tend to buy items you do not need and regret purchasing later. Begin by searching your closet for items you need or want. Be sure to know your exact clothing and shoe sizes. But keep an open mind; it’s like opening a new gift on Christmas when you find something you weren’t expecting. “SCORE”
2. Wear comfortable clothing – You want to be able to crouch down, bend over, and pick up items comfortably.
3. Set a price limit – Today’s economy is affecting us all, you can help yourself in “not” overspending by setting a price limit before you shop. For example: Just because those dress slacks are $4.99, and the coats is $7.99, when you have several of each it adds up.
4. Shopping in better neighborhood’s do tend to have better items.
5. Shop Often – Don’t judge a “thrift” store by your first shopping experience. You should shop often most store’s consistently add merchandise, several times a day, and several items a week. You can go over a lunch break, after work, or on the weekend. But shop often.
6. Don’t get overwhelmed – Thrift stores have made a come up from what they used to be. Thrift stores use to be dirty, dingy and smell like basements. But now thrift stores are clean, smell great and taking a more retail store look and feel. Don’t get overwhelmed by the amount of clothes or items, some store can feel like a mini Nebraska Furniture Mart. But if you pre-plan it will alleviate some headache. Here’s my store plan when I shop thrift; Shoes, Dresses, 2-Piece items, skirts, pants and check out.
7. Shop for quality and Inspect, Inspect, Inspect – Yes, that designer brand is gorgeous. But, it’s stained, torn, and three sizes too big. You do not have to buy it just because you found a name brand at a thrift shop. Be sure to look at every detail on the items before you buy it. If it’s an item you really want, ask for a store associate and see if they will give you a discount. If there are items that you think you can fix, like a zipper, or a button and you really want it. The store associate may give it you for slight discount. It never hurts to ask.
8. Get familiar with the store’s weekly sales – Be sure to find out the store’s weekly sales. Store’s usually will have a particular day where you can save 25%-50% off certain color items, a senior citizen discount (Thank’s Mom!, Sweet Pickles) or you can get clothes for $0.99 during a certain timeframe. Be sure to ask a store associate for the sales of the week.
8. Bring a friend – It’s so much fun to shop with a friend, Right? This can benefit the both of you, because you can help find items for each other. Win-Win!!
If you have any tips on “Thrifting” are sure to leave a comment.
Yes!! I constantly have to remind myself that I don’t need 5,000 black shirts I don’t care if it was $4.99. I set my limit at $20. On days when I find alot it gets hard to decide but forces me to get things I don’t already have! Great tips.
Thank you!
Great points, a couple I hadn’t really thought about. I’ve been a thrift store convert for about a year now (we call them Op Shops in Australia) since applying Jessi Arrington’s TED talk (http://www.ted.com/talks/jessi_arrington_wearing_nothing_new.html) to my life. I love the freedom that cheap clothing has added to my wardrobe. The best thing is that I find I take a lot more chances with colour and style because at less than $8 who cares if it doesn’t really work out, and the whole it seldom has been a disaster.
It’s always great to meet another fellow thrifter!