Smart Shopping

Thrift store shopping at it's best begins with your level of expectations and your idea of 2nd hand items transformed into treasures.  I wish I could tell you that my mother took me "treasure hunting" since I can remember but it didn't happen that way.  If I was introduced to "the hunt" even as an early teen I would dismiss the idea as repugnant, (my ignorant opinion based on spoiled wrongdoings).   My mother allowed my sister and I to shop wherever our eyes led us.  Like most people, shopping for new items was an addiction.  It wasn't necessarily an error on any one's part but rather an idea that hadn't occurred.

My openness came when I was about 19, a friend wanted to bring me shopping for clothes at her favorite thrift store in CT.  Magic didn't happen that day but it certainly introduced me to a new lifestyle, and I liked that.  As a novice in the thrifty way of spending my time and money,  this became my new amusement; shopping for old items!  I met people who did it on their time off and the other time was spent creating outfits that were sold on Ebay.  I was saving money and contributing to the global effect by recycling! I make thrift store shopping dates with friends and have clothes exchanges. I buy furniture and back to school clothes. Consignment shopping is a great way for us to make a few bucks by bagging up our old in exchange for money. Savvy!

When you go to the store prepared, knowing what to keep your eye out for instead of spending too much time and money there, your search will not exhaust you. When you're looking for something more specific sometimes it can be less risk taking at a department store. I needed a pair of black skinnys so I was better off going to Macys and walking straight to my size and color that I needed. You can find a thrift store by word of mouth or Google search in your area.  I hope you live in as good an area as me because it's awesome finding that beautiful item that was sent in for me almost every time! Happy shopping, and please share your favorite moments!