A Guide for Shopping at a Thrift Shop
For someone who enjoys shopping but is a little skeptical about the amount of money they’ll spend, or you want to shop but don’t have enough money, or you just love saving, then thrift stores were made for you. From vintage dresses to DVDs, toys, and home furnishing, there is always something for everyone. Goodwill South Florida offers these tips.
Home or Business?
The Balance notes that it’s possible to furnish your place with items from a thrift store. You only need to be careful and be aware of what you want. You might get things of a higher quality than what you would have bought from a normal store with the same amount. Or maybe you want to start a business reselling items. Either way, thrifting is a great way to go!
Save for Thrifting
Creating a budget specifically for thrifting can be an excellent way to ensure you’re saving money while indulging in your passion for finding unique, affordable items. By setting aside a portion of your income each month for thrifting, you can enjoy the thrill of the hunt without overspending. Using a free budget template can help you track your spending, making it easier to stick to your goals and maintain a healthy financial balance.
Items that you can buy from a thrift shop
Wooden furniture
If you want to upgrade your living room, kitchen, or bedroom furniture set, thrift stores are a great place to score solid deals on wood furniture at bargain prices. However, you need to be careful and creative about how you spend your money. You might find something that's appealing to your eyes but too old or too damaged to bring back home. Hiring a furniture upholstery company is a great way to turn a couch or chair into your dream piece.
Baby clothes
Babies turn into toddlers and outgrow their tiny outfits seemingly overnight. However, sometimes it might seem hard to resist the impulse on adorable, full-priced baby products, but you will save lots of money by buying basic newborn ensembles. Very Well Family suggests that for any baby clothes bought from a thrift store, thoroughly prewash them before dressing your baby. Babies’ skin can be extremely sensitive.
Wooden hangers
Unlike their brittle plastic and moldable wire counterparts, quality wooden hangers last forever. They are a great choice for hanging heavier items like winter coats. Also, these hangers do not leave creases or dents in sweaters or shirts. Wooden hangers are expensive to buy in bulk, but you will find plenty of wooden hangers for pennies at a thrift store.
Novelty kitchen tools and appliances
Expensive appliances like bread-making machines, pasta makers, and popcorn machines are rare to find at a thrift store. For small and inexpensive kitchen items, keep a lookout at your local thrift store. You can score gently used models before buying a new one. You can get affordable day-to-day kitchen appliances like microwaves, toasters, rice cookers, air fryers, refrigerators, blenders, and so much more.
Gently used tools
An emergency toolbox is essential to a homeowner to fix small leaks, hang pictures and tackle a troublesome toilet issue. Thrift stores sometimes sell hardly used tools for cheap, and you may even find products from well-known companies which have lifetime warranties.
How to discern quality items from cheaply made items
- Take a look at the material. A good quality product is made from good quality material. With fabrics and textiles, feel it and look for lumps, snags, or tears. Also, look at the weave; it should be tight, even, and consistent.
- Construction. While good quality materials are important, they will soon fall apart if the item is poorly constructed.
- Reviews. Reviews are a great way to help determine good from poor quality products, especially when shopping online.
How to clean up items from thrift store
The first thing to do immediately when you get home, set your things out in a corner to sort, then scrub your hands. To clean, find a spray bottle, add two cups of rubbing alcohol, a few drops of essential oil and a cup of warm water. You will need to spray, scrub, and wipe down the hard items to your satisfaction for the hard miscellaneous items. A toothbrush will help get into any nooks or crannies. Wash all clothes in the washing machine with disinfectant and detergent.
Thrifting is not only a great way to get quality items at a significant discount, it can be a great way to make money as well. Get on a budget first to help ensure that you're actually saving money by thrifting. Use these tips to help you get started thrifting today!
For great thrifts, explore one of our Goodwill South Florida locations today!
