Have you ever stopped to notice that there is a holiday {or day of observation} dedicated to just about everything? Holy buckets, if we actually go to celebrate every single one of them, it would be one non-stop party. Still, it seems a waste to not at least pay my respects to a couple of the top contenders {I’m talking to you National Donut Day!}
This year, I’ve picked a couple of my favorites each month to celebrate. Maybe I’ll hang streamers, maybe I’ll send cards…maybe I’ll just go ahead and pour myself a tall glass of whatever we’re supposed to be celebrating. Afterall, life is short, and our National calendar is full. Let’s make the most of it, shall we?
August 17th is National Thrift Shop Day. According to Wikipedia, one of the very first thrift shops on record was established in 1899. Originally, they were called charity shops, because proceeds typically went to support a specific charity {while many do still support charities today, there are quite a few that are run for profit}. The first shop raised money for the blind. After World War I, several shops cropped up in response to fundraising efforts. It wasn’t until WWII that the shops really became widespread, though. I would guess that open flea markets with used goods were going on loooong before any of these stores opened a brick and mortar building, though.
I personally LOVE thrift shops. I love the hunt. I love the deals. I. Love. Them. In fact, one of the hardest parts about my no-spend year is staying out of thrift stores. There are sooooo many treasures that I know stepping foot inside of one will totally derail my plans. So for now, I’ll have to live vicariously through your scores…what is the BEST thing you’ve ever scored at a thrift shop?
Now what are you waiting for? Get out there and celebrate!
~Mavis
Holly says
Most exciting for me recently was four Thermos soup containers for my kids’ school lunches. They retail for about $15 each and just couldn’t bring myself to spend that much. Found four of them for .50 each at Goodwill. Score! I was so excited I texted a picture to a my BFF. We like sharing our deal finds with each other, it’s fun 🙂
Becca says
I love finding kids clothes. One company around here has most kids clothes for only $1-2. My favorite score recently has been 4 pairs of shoes, womens size 8.5 for under $20. 3 pairs looked like they’d never been worn out of the house and the other pair looked like they’d been worn only once or twice.
JJ says
I just found my find of the decade about a month ago.
Utilikilts are heavy duty work wear but are super expensive and retail is around $215. I have always wanted one for my Burning Man Ranger shifts, but thought that was too much to spend on something I would wear 4 times a year. Perusing the glass case I saw something khaki sitting in the back under a Stevie Wonder LP, lo and behold when I asked them to pull it out I was freaking out when I saw the name brand. But on top of the hefty price tag, these things are size specific and I was thinking oh yeah it might be a Utilitkilt, but I doubt it will fit me. Surprise Surprise, it did and I only spent $60 bucks for it, and it is in such good shape I have no doubt the previous owner only wore it a couple of times.
Lesson Learned – look in the glass case EVERY TIME.
Emily says
I’ve been wearing my $3 thrift store sundress for years now. I love it for hot summer days.
kim says
I think I have everyone beat! Last week while at 1 of my fave GW Fashions, (y’all know what’s up!) I found a pair of size 11 men’s boots-just the right size for my hunky bf. They were on the regular priced, not “special” price section so I snagged them for him as they were in excellent condition. I brought them home & he got a strange yet confused look on his face. He asked how much i had to shell out for his boots. When I told him $3.99, he immediately went to ebay & showed me the same boots for $700 in “fair” condition. They were a rare pair of Tony Lama el rey boots!!! Whoo hoo!
Mimi says
I scored 8 perfect dinner plates in my mother’s expensive china pattern for a dollar each. New they were about $35. Happy mom.
Mel says
I think my best finds to date has been particular stores rather than items. When we were in college, my roommate found an ad from a thrift store that was closing and giving away all inventory for FREE. We furnished our grad school apartment that way. Also, websites that are essentially online thrift stores have revolutionized my clothes shopping because the contents are searchable but still cheap. When I want to replace a particular item after the original store has stopped offering it, size up or down, or whatever, it’s much easier to locate items. I could probably search local thrift stores for decades without ever finding this stuff, but it’s so easy to find online.
Judith says
Mel, can you share what the names of these websites are please? 🙂
Mel says
Sure thing. There are several, I think, but I’ve mostly used Poshmark. I’ve had a few misses, and you do have to pay for shipping, but I’ve still done better and cheaper there than regular clothes sale hunting. Shipping on $5 jeans is still cheaper than many sales. It helps if you know your size in particular brands, and you can ask sellers questions and make offers. Vinted is similar, I believe, but I have never used it. Ditto ThredUp, though I don’t think it has individual sellers. I think there may also be a few devoted to kids clothing, but I’m not sure of names.
E in Upstate NY says
Have a story much like Kim’s. Was shopping with my son at GW; he needed a one time only use business jacket, found a oatmeal colored blazer. While it wouldn’t fit my son, it fit me like a glove! Often I purchase my clothing in the men’s store as it fits me far better than women’s clothes due to my body shape. Wasn’t until I got home that I really paid attention to the label: Halsten and it was 100% camel! A $500 plus jacket for under $5. Yea Goodwill
CTBargainMom says
I love a good poke around a thrift shop. My first trip to a savers I found a set 10 nearly complete set of dishes that matched the pattern my hubby’s grandmother collected for years which we have now. For $30! We had been rounding out the original set on eBay & replacements ltd for way more than that. Huge score!
Salvation Army – my favorite fall purse, Coach pebbled brown leather $5
Goodwill – creative memories rolling Scrapbooking tote $25. Loads of clothes when my kids needed stuff for school days Hawaiian shirt, animal shirt day, ugly tie day….
Mavis says
Awesome finds!!
Janice says
I’m traveling from Vancouver Island to Portland over the next 3 days. We are arriving in Port Angeles tomorrow and going back up the I 5 coming home. Any recommendations for thrift stores would be appreciated.