Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase via my links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. See my disclosure for more info.
There are many benefits to thrift shopping. Buying second-hand reduces waste, allows you to create one-of-a-kind looks, supports your local community, and helps you score high-quality items at unbeatable prices. However, without a strategy, it’s easy to overspend. To maximize your savings and make every dollar count, follow these handy tips before your next thrift shopping adventure.
Thrift Shop When You’re in the Mood
Thrift shopping should be fun. You’re hunting for treasures, after all. So, if you’re not in the right mood, you may find it hard to take the time to go through everything and find those hidden gems. So, if you’re not in the mood, do something else and thrift another day.
Don’t Shop on an Empty Stomach
This tip isn’t just for grocery shopping. Shopping is tiring, especially when hunting for treasures at the thrift shop. So, be sure to have a good meal before you go and take a snack as well. It is hard to make good decisions if you shop on an empty stomach or get hungry while shopping.
Create a List
You never know what you’ll find at a thrift shop, but it’s a good idea to make a list of the main things you’re looking for. This will hopefully help you avoid buying things you don’t really want or need just because they are cheap.
Sign up for Store Emails
Just like mainstream stores, many thrift shops have email lists and send out deals and coupons regularly. If you have a favorite store or two, make sure you ask about an email list so you’re kept up to date on any sales or specials they have going on.
Know When Your Thrift Shops Restock
Some thrift shops restock continuously, but many only stock at certain times or on specific days. So, check with a staff member to find out when they restock their items. Then, ensure you’re there as often as possible to check out the new stuff.
Beat the Crowds
Thrift shopping is becoming increasingly popular, so stores can get crowded. To avoid the crowds, shop early in the day and on a weekday if possible.
Look for Quality
If you’re buying clothes, make sure you look closely at anything you’re thinking about buying to check for holes, stains, broken zippers, and missing buttons. Focus on lining, fabric weight, and seams as well on higher-quality items like blazers and suits.
Buy Furniture in the Summer
You can often find the best deals on used furniture in summer. This is because donations increase from people moving and garage sale leftovers. Stores usually have too much furniture and have to mark it down to clear floor space.
Bring a Measuring Tape and Know Your Sizes
Whether you’re looking for furniture or clothes, having a little measuring tape can be helpful. You can find small keychain tapes that don’t take up much space. Also, be sure you know your sizes and the sizes of everyone in your family to ensure you don’t buy clothes or shoes that won’t fit.
Dress Appropriately
Not all thrift shops have changing rooms, so be sure to dress in tight-fitting clothes or layers so you can try things on over your regular clothes. Also, take a pair of socks with you in case you need to try on footwear.
Don’t Forget the Back Racks
Things get moved around a lot at thrift stores, and the clothing on the back racks is likely pieces that someone else has considered good quality and tried on. Just because a piece didn’t work for the person who put it on the back rack doesn’t mean it won’t work for you.
Shop Off-Season
People buy clothes they’ll wear right away in regular stores. However, people often donate clothing at the end of the season when they are done wearing it. Because people are less likely to buy sweaters in July, you may find off-season items in your local thrift shop heavily discounted from their in-season price.
Learn to Quickly Scan
Thrifting can take a lot of time. Learn to scan quickly through the racks and aisle to ensure you’re not wasting valuable time looking at every single item.
Look for Collectibles
You’d be surprised by the treasures you can find at a thrift store. Some collectible treasures you can often find include teapots, dolls, ceramics, coins, and more. If you find the right items, you’ll be able to sell them for a nice profit.
Avoid Impulse Purchases
It’s easy to make impulse purchases when thrift shopping because everything is so cheap. But even spending a couple of dollars on something you don’t really need or want is a couple of dollars you didn’t need to spend. Plus, it means there’s more stuff in your home. So, before you put something in your cart, make sure it’s something you really want, need, and love.
Ask for a Discount
All thrift stores need to make sales to have room for more inventory. Don’t be afraid to ask for a discount, especially on items with minor defects. You might get lucky and get a deal, or the store may be happy to throw in another item for free.
15 Bizarre Items That People Bought and Sold on eBay
We all have an eBay account, but who still uses the platform? Traditionally, eBay was the go-to website to sell and buy used items. Now, there are many marketplaces for second-hand items, but eBay is the place where weirdness abounds. What’s the weirdest thing you’ve seen on eBay? I can bet it wasn’t as weird as some of these items.
18 Gen X Trends Whose Time Has Past
Every generation has distinctive trends and behaviors – some timeless, others not so much. The Gen X cohort, those born between 1965 and 1980, definitely left their mark on the culture of the time. However, like all trends, some of this era have become outdated and should be reconsidered. Here are 18 Gen X trends that might have outlived their relevance.
- Read More: 18 Gen X Trends Whose Time Has Past
