How to Thrift Like A Pro

The Do’s and Don’ts of Second Hand Shopping

So, little tidbit about myself, I LOVE TO SHOP! I’m not talking about wandering around the mall, perusing through the shelves and enjoying the scenery, then leaving with my $12 trinket. An essential part of shopping, for me, is buying. What’s the point of looking, falling in love with something, and not being able to get it?!

Unfortunately, retail stores don’t accept sad faces or tears as payment (I’ve given them my best sad face, and they didn’t even flinch!) That, friends, is how I happened into the wonderful world of thrifting!

Before you hit the return button because you think thrifting isn’t for you, let me plead my case!! I used to think Goodwill was just a dark smelly building filled with thirty year old clothes.

Then, our first son was born. We were new parents with a microscopic budget, and a naked baby. Although baby rolls are cute, they aren’t ideal for winter conditions. So, I took a deep breath and slowly ventured into our local thrift store. It was life changing!!

I ended up leaving the store with enough baby clothes for the winter (and a few for myself) for less than I would have paid for three outfits at the retail store. I saved a ton of money, and the clothes I got were incredibly nice! They weren’t stained or full of holes like I had imagined they would be. Actually, they were modern, almost new (or new) pieces that I was happy to bring home.

Full disclosure, there were many things at the store I didn’t like. I had to do a little hunting, but it was totally worth it.

Some benefits of thrifting

• It’s way cheaper than new (so you’re able to buy more!!)
• Not having a ton of variety keeps you from wanting everything
• You get to shop as often as you want without spending a fortune
• Some retail stores donate new merchandise to local thrift stores, so you can usually find new goods at thrift prices
• Recycling is eco friendly!!

I have been developing my thrifting game for the past few years. Our budget isn’t as tight as it used to be, but I am still an avid second hand shopper. It has helped us furnish a new house, and clothe two growing boys. It also enables my clothes buying obsession! There’s nothing like someone complimenting your outfit and thinking “thanks, I paid almost nothing for it!!”

I am constantly updating my home decor and wardrobe because of thrifting, and am always asked where I get stuff from. Usually, my answer is the thrift store, and I encourage them to check it out. Occasionally, someone will tell me they’ve never had good luck with thrifting, so I share with them some of my best tips and advice for a good experience. Today, I thought it would be fun to share them with you!!

Get to know your area

Depending on where you’re from, there can be a number of second hand options. There’s always the go to’s like Goodwill or Salvation Army, but usually there are other options available. Near us there is a surplus store with excess or unwanted items from the local university. I’ve found nice linen table clothes for parties, and even some great furniture pieces.

Search for local thrift stores in your area, and find out which ones you like the best. Some stores focus more on household or furniture items, while others are almost exclusively clothes. It’s also a good idea to visit all available locations and put together a Yes and No list. Some locations get better donations because they are near nicer communities that donate more frequently and tend to have better items. Know which stores are a yes for you and which are a no!

Give yourself some time

Some people (me) love spending time sifting through every item searching for the one thing they can’t leave without. It’s like a scavenger hunt for adults! The rush of finding something amazing hidden in the racks can be incredibly addicting. Other people (my sis) look for five minutes and have reached their patience limit.

Be prepared to spend some time hunting. While I usually stop in any chance I get, I am rarely in and out as fast as I should be. I try to plan my thrift store trips on days when I can be out for a while, and I don’t have to bring kiddos with me (little ones tearing clothes off of hangers and ripping off tags isn’t super fun for anyone!)

It’s more than just clothes

Most people immediately think of clothes when they hear thrift store. And clothes are definitely what they get the most donations for, but they have a ton of other inventory too: glassware, shoes, toys, household, electronics. I love shopping for party supplies or home decor pieces from the thrift store. If you’d like some help with inspiration, check out my post on 6 Farmhouse Essentials From the Thrift Store. 

Make frequent visits

Sometimes, my visit ends in piles of new treasures. Other times, I walk out with nothing. Thrift store inventory changes every day, so you never know what you’ll find. If you’re looking for something specific, it may take you a few trips to find it. Be patient and stop in regularly. It might take a little longer, but it’ll save you a ton, especially on furniture!! You can even make friends with the employees and see if they know what their delivery schedule is so you can time it out quicker.

Plan ahead

This is so important! Finding what you want can sometimes be a process. If you find something you know you’ll need in the future, buy it ahead of time. This is especially true for clothes.

When we are expecting a new baby, I start collecting clothes as soon as we find out the gender! (Even though I’ve only made boys so far, it’s still fun to shop for new clothes, and thanks to the thrift store I CAN!!)

Big pieces like furniture can be hard to store, but, if you can, try to buy it when you find it because it probably won’t be available at the exact moment you need it.

Maternity clothes are another good thing to buy ahead of time. Maternity pieces can be hard to find and expensive, so I always check my local thrift stores maternity section or look for non maternity pieces that would work for a pregnancy wardrobe. If your interested in learning more about this, I have a post with tips on doing it thrift store style here: Building Your Pregnancy Wardrobe without Buying “Maternity”

Ask about sale days or membership discounts

Every store is different and runs their own promotions. Be sure to ask what each of them have available. My local stores run a sale every Monday, where certain color tags are 75% off, and they have 50% off sales one Saturday a month.

I also joined their membership program so I get points from every purchase that convert to discount dollars, and sometimes they will send an email for a special 40% off members only sale!! There are a ton of options, and you’ll never know unless you ask!

Only buy washable items

I know all about the “someone else’s germs and nastiness” argument, and I totally get it!! As a general rule, I only buy things that can be washed. Most plastic toys can go in the dishwasher and anything fabric (clothes, toys, curtains, kids shoes) can be tossed into the washer. If I get furniture, I pull out the steamer or floor spot scrubber (which were also thrift store purchases). Magic erasers are miracle workers, and work on almost any material. Washability is definitely something you should keep in mind while shopping.

Don’t be tempted by “close enough”

When I first started thrifting, I would look for something specific like a tan cargo jacket or a black dress. As it would happen, I couldn’t find one that was exactly what I wanted, so I said “this is close enough.” So I would buy it, and never wear it! If it’s not quite the right size or too far from what you want, just say no. Chances are, you will find one eventually, and it’s better to wait than spend extra on multiple “close enough’s.”

You don’t have to be exclusive!

If you find something at a retail store that you love, its not against the thrifting code to buy it! Most of what I buy is a balance between thrifted and new items. You may get addicted to saving money at the thrift store (I totally understand :D), but don’t forget that some things are worth paying full price for.

Hopefully I have given you some helpful things to think about for your next shopping trip! Maybe I’ve even convinced you to consider your local thrift store the next time you’re looking for a new outfit, table arrangement, or dining set. It is seriously an easy and enjoyable way to save some extra cash, whether you’re single or homemaking for a large family!

If you’re a thrifting kindred spirit, I’d love to hear what suggestions or strategies you would add to this list! Or even the best thing you’ve discovered at your local thrift store. Comment below 😀

If you’d like to get involved in our community even more, check out our social media sites on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest! I would love to get to know you more through the conversations there!!