Does it seem like thrift store shopping has become more popular in the last few years? It’s always been popular at our house. In fact, I don’t remember a time we didn’t go thrifting. But just in case you’re still on the fence, today I’m sharing 10 reasons why you should shop at thrift stores.
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Why Shop at Thrift Stores?
Thrifting Saves Money
Even though prices at our local thrift stores keep going up, it’s still cheaper than going to the mall. Sometimes I can buy something new at Walmart or Ross for the same price but the quality would be far less. And many first homes or apartments have been well furnished from thrift stores and garage sales!
You May Even Make Money
I’ve been making money for years at thrift stores. I’ve sold my thrifting finds online on boards, Craigslist, eBay, and Etsy. I’ve also sold at vintage flea markets and shops. Let me know if you’re interested in finding out more… I’ve been thinking about writing some articles about flipping thrift store finds.
Shopping at Thrift Stores Helps the Community
My favorite thrift store supports hospice. I also shop at Salvation Army, whose proceeds go to adult rehabilitation programs which help people overcome addictions; Goodwill, who provides job training, employment placement services, and other community-based programs for people who have barriers preventing them from otherwise obtaining a job; and several other smaller local shops who support the ASPCA or religious organizations.
Buying Used Items Helps the Environment
Buying second-hand clothing and other items means less goes into the landfills and fewer resources are used and less pollution is created in making new items.
Memories
Hasn’t everyone walked through a flea market and found something that was in their grandmother’s house? or maybe a shirt or pair of shoes that you’ve owned in the past?
Create a Unique Style
I can pretty much guarantee you that if you put together an outfit at the thrift store that no one else will be wearing the same thing!
Find New Things to Collect
My favorite is what Bikeman calls my “ugly art” collection. I can’t pass up paint-by-numbers or amateur oil paintings. I should probably share those with you!
In the past, I’ve collected cheese graters, vintage books, silver trays, Shiny Brite Christmas ornaments, and more. I have friends that are on the lookout for linens, milk glass, old trophies and loving cups, prize ribbons, pins, jewelry, key fobs… you name it. Someone collects it!
Find DIY Projects
Y’all know I also “collect” jewelry boxes and jewelry cabinets at thrift stores. I do that mainly to try out different painting and finishing techniques. I also find small pieces of furniture to refinish. If my new technique doesn’t work out I’m never out more than a few dollars.
And if they go well, I sell them (see #2).
Find Things That Are No Longer in Production
You’ll find things at thrift stores that haven’t been sold in retail stores in YEARS. Sometimes they’ll be valuable like a rare first edition book. Sometimes they’ll just be interesting, like an old 8 track tape!
Several times we’ve been on the hunt for props, like rotary dial telephones, for local plays.
Fun
If all those reasons aren’t enough for you, go thrifting just ’cause it’s fun! Spend time with friends and family to see who can find the most unique or expensive things. Or do it alone to relax.
I guess ultimately that I like thrifting the way some people like hunting or fishing… you never know what you’re going to get, but you have a great time getting it!
If you enjoyed this thrift shopping article, you might also like these:
- Ten Tips for Buying Thrift Store Clothes
- Thrift Store Tips, What I’ve Learned in 35 Years of Thrifting
- 25 Things You Should ALWAYS Buy at a Thrift Store
- 10 Things You Should NEVER Buy at Thrift Stores
- Why You Should be Shopping at a Thrift Store
Thanks for reading! Is there something else you’d like to know or learn about thrift store shopping? Leave a comment and let me know. I’ll try to address it in a future article.
‘Til the next project,
Ann @ Duct Tape and Denim
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Chris says
I have been putting off really diving into crafts. I’ve done plenty over the years but now I’m ready to REALLY dig in. I have fibromyalgia and the pain and other limitations make things difficult. However, this with your help might just be the miracle. I can keep active yet not strenuously etc etc etc. So thanks for your ideas, your crafts, your how to, for all of it.
ducttapeanddenim says
Chris, I hope you get some great ideas from my page. I love creating… it often helps distract my mind from things. I hope it will help get your mind off your pain for a while. Let me know if you have any questions about anything. Thanks for reading!
Marcia says
I went to the thrift store today an got some table runners at half price and sheets as well .I am collecting things so when we buy our new home.
ducttapeanddenim says
Great idea! So much cheaper than buying everything new all at once.
Pamela Smith says
I love thrifting! It’s pretty much the only way I shop! I love seeing what kind of bargain I can find!
Barbara Cameron says
I’ve been thrifting my whole life. My mom would make either( or both) my brother or me get up on Sat. mornings & be her copilot. This was back in the 70’s, so on Thurs. the local paper would list all the yard sales for that week-end. She’d pick the ones she was most interested in, based on what they had listed for sale, number them & then map out a route. On a real, folding paper map. My brother & I both got into collecting this way. She also volunteered at a local thrift shop & was always bringing home finds. She eventually took a furniture refinishing class & a class on how to re cane chairs & started a successful little business. My entire wardrobe is from our local Hospice thrift store. Every Friday they have a bag sale. Fill a bag with clothes for $3.00! I’d love to see articles on flipping thrift store finds. And I’m very happy to know I’m not the only one drawn to those old paint by numbers. Something kitschy about them!
ducttapeanddenim says
Thanks so much for your comment! Sounds like a great life to me! I have a few articles in the works about how to make money flipping thrift store finds. Let me know if you have any specific questions so I can address them. Thanks again!
Linda says
I used to be the biggest thrift store snob around…what was I thinking!?! My sister got me hooked on thrifting and I’m so glad she did! Just makes me wonder what treasures I’ve missed out on over the years!
Jen Gallizzo says
I love thrifting! I have found some really amazing pieces of furniture from Goodwill and craigslist over the years. New coat of paint, maybe some new knobs…. no one would ever guess! Excellent post.
Rhonda says
I love Goodwill, yard sales, auctions, and flea markets. Thanks for sharing this great post on Sunday’s Best.
Emily @DomesticDeadline.com says
I love the thrift store! We have one right in our town that I often hit up before going anywhere else when. Plus, in the summer my sister and I have turned thrift shopping into a game with the kids… we makeup teams, have a budget and a contest. We’ve done fashion shows, best and worsts, recreation contests, all kinds of fun things. Sometimes we end up donating the stuff back afterward, but usually, we find good stuff! If we think we’re going to just donate the stuff back later, we usually set the budget around what it would cost us to take each kid to the movies with snacks… this event usually lasts longer and provides more entertainment! The kids are teenagers now and still love doing this, it’s a great rainy day activity. Thanks for sharing at #HomeMattersParty
ducttapeanddenim says
That sounds like so much fun! My girls and I used to have contests to see who could find the best bargain!
Rachel Burch says
It is the thrill of the hunt! But, the benefits are gorgeous home and clothing finds affordable prices.
Anita says
I am interested in articles relating to flipping thrift store finds. Please include different avenues of selling your finds and the pros and cons of each. Good post. Thank you.
ducttapeanddenim says
I have some planned! Did you sign up for the email newsletter? I send out all our articles to the list.
Beverley says
I have been thrifting, yard sailing, flea marketing, etc. for the better part of 70 years. I am so old that I can remember when flea markets and yard saling first started! I do it for all the reasons you listed and one more….the thrill of the hunt. Those wonderful days when you SCORE!!!! The majority of my wardrobe comes from thrift stores. I could spend $10 at Walmart or $3.99 at Goodwill for a name brand blouse. When I find one that I like and is in good condition..Score! Nothing like that feeling.
Colette says
Love your blog! I enjoy the tips on thrifting.
I would really like help with flipping my thrift store makeovers.
ducttapeanddenim says
Thanks Colette! Have you joined our Facebook group? You can share photos and ask questions… lots of thrift store flippers over there. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ThriftStoreMakeovers
eva @ CostumeTakeOut says
I thrift textiles for my local rental costume business for children…I use 100% thrifted textiles to cobble into Upcycled Pioneer, Colonial, Egyptian, Roman, Greek, Medieval, Renaissance and Wax Museum Costumes!…i’ve been doing this for 5 years now and it’s amazing to use really cheap resources to build a business–it was the only way i could have afforded it in the beginning…now that i have an income, i STILL thrift all my textiles!
xo Eva
https://www.costumetakeout.com/
Sue says
How do you feel about thrifting during Covid 19? Do you do anything different than you normally would? I haven’t been out there yet and the withdrawal is real!
I always tell people that I have thrifted my whole life. It’s has been passed down thru the generations.
ducttapeanddenim says
I should probably address that in a blog post and/or Facebook Live video. Thanks for asking! I have been going to thrift stores for about a month. Last week was my first flea market. I actually feel better about the flea market because it’s mostly outside. But we still put on our masks when we were inside buildings (rule from our state) and whenever there was a large crowd… even outside.
I’ve been a little more careful in the thrift stores but I’ve found that there haven’t been many shopping. The thrift stores around us haven’t been having their normal sales to keep crowds down. I just keep my mask on and use hand sanitizer as soon as I can in the car.
Melinda Gerhart says
I like Goodwill better than some other stores. If you shop on military or Senior day you save even more. I bought many things for less than $20. I buy books at the thrift stores. I sometimes buy yarn bundles. I buy mugs and other things for crafting.
Sherry Kaufman says
My husband freaks out whenever I return from a ‘thrifting day’ !! lol So I’ve started taking an old suitcase along with me to keep in the back of the car. Now I just put all of my purchases inside the suitcase and that’s the only thing I carry in the house!! hehe He has NO idea what ALL is in there…. lol It may be a few things (ha, yeah right!) or it may be packed FULL ! (Usually!!)