Last week, we included thrifting in our 5 home habits that save money. Although thrift store shopping can save you some serious cash compared to buying retail, it can also cause a lot of headaches, so we linked to a few tips and tricks for those heading out into the wide world of scavenging. One tip we forgot to include: start now. January is one of the best times of the year to go thrifting. Click below to find out why...
- Post-Holiday Donations: After the holidays, many people find themselves with brand new gifts that they can't return. Those gifts end up in the donation pile and make their way to thrift stores, where you can find unopened toys, new books, and never-worn clothes for a bargain. To keep yourself from overspending, make a list beforehand of things you need, and don't buy something if it's not on your list.
- Tax Deductions: Thrift stores bring in large hauls in December, since people are trying to make all their tax-deductible donations by the end of the year. By January, those big-ticket items (including furniture) are out on the floor, just waiting for someone to snatch them up.
- New Year's Decluttering: Many people resolve to declutter their homes and make a fresh start in the New Year. Their trash could be your treasure.
- Sticking to the One-In-One-Out Rule: Maybe you've made your own resolution to keep a clean, organized home this year. Thrift store shopping makes it very easy to adhere to the one-in-one-out rule. Just donate something old before you pick up something new.
- The Cold: This may seem like a reason not to go out on the hunt, but the cold means less competition from other thrifters. Like all shops, thrift stores slow down after Christmas, leaving more opportunities to stumble across that great find.
A few of our favorite thrift stores:
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Add your tips and favorite hunting grounds in the comments below.
Photo: Barry Blog
As someone who thrifts multiple times a week, I have to say that the last two weeks have been the absolute worst thrifting that I've seen in months.
I think the reasoning above is right, but it hasn't translated well to Portland's stores. A whole lot of nothing, at the moment.
view liseah's profile
All good tips!
I enjoy thrifting but do have to be in the right mood or it's not enjoyable.
view ciddyguy's profile
I'm going this weekend! I need to find a small round dining table (30" or smaller) for kitchen nook. I'm hoping for something wooden that I can spruce up with some sanding and nice glossy paint.
view sparkle's profile
Here's a fantastic makeover of an $8 thrift store lamp with easy to follow instructions: http://stylenorth.ca/blog/2009/01/cheap-thrills-just-add-elbow-grease/
view ChrisToronto's profile
ChrisToronto, that is cool! Thanks for the link!
view RedMaiko's profile
I really think that thrifting is better in the very, very late winter to early spring up here in the north. I find that early march is when people start doing their spring cleaining and that's when I have my best luck.
Right now, thrifting has been horrid- our local Salvation Army even had to lay off their paid employees- not enough donations!
view lorijo's profile
Another great tip: find a local auction house near you that liquidates estates. I go to one in my area on a regular basis, and there is always a large selection of furniture to choose from. I've seen a ton of teak furniture, and mid-century modern pieces for rock-bottom prices. Two weeks ago, there was a grouping of 4 Herman Miller fiberglass shell chairs, that didn't even sell (bidding started at $30.00). If I had a bigger place, I would have snapped them up.
view dmh's profile
Love Brown Elephant for furniture. I found a $10 drafting table last year.
view Ana K.'s profile