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Thrifting with Intent
By Daphne | July 7, 2008
You don’t have to give up on adding to your collection or on your hobbies just because you are practicing frugality.
This past weekend, I went into a thrift store to see if I could find some yarn. For less than $14 I bought several large bags of yarn and two dolls. I specifically went for yarn but I am always on the lookout for small dolls to add to my collection. The criteria for dolls that I purchase from a thrift store is that they are all plastic or rubber, so that they can be washed thoroughly. I am not really particular about manufacturer or brand but I go looking for what I like to add to my collection.
My finds this weekend were grand. Among the treasures that I located were 3 balls of Jaeger Como 90% Merino wool in a sand looking color for less than 2 dollars. Even though the style is discontinued, the yarn was available for $9.75 a skein.
One of the dolls I purchased was an Effanbee Alice In Wonderland doll in good condition. The doll was for sale for less than $3. The doll was complete with dress and similar dolls sell for almost 4 times as much or more.
Thrfting can be a good thing as a way to reduce the amount of money that is spent, it reuses items that are already available and allows others to spend less on useful items.
Most of the items that I bought could have been resold. If that is something that you would like to do then it is possible to find good things to resell or to give away as gifts. Some places have brand new books with fewer markings on them that you would find on a book than if you ordered from an online bookseller.
Start shopping now for the holidays. For those with small children on their Christmas list, there are always Children’s books, some new (still tagged on in original packaging) toys and games. If you are buying toys, buy things that you ca n wash off or toss in the washing machine. Sometimes strange items are just lumped together in odd assorted grab bags. If you want one piece, and have no use for the rest, buy the items, and donate the ones that you do not want or give them away. Generally, what you pay will be considerably less than what you would pay elsewhere. If there is a tea lover, see if you can find an interesting tea pot and pair it with a variety of teas.
Plan early and don’t go expecting to find a particular thing but you will generally find something. Before you go, make sure that you have a general idea what you are searching for, and what you want to spend. If an item needs too much repair or isn’t just quite what you are looking for, then pass on it and keep looking. If you waited long enough to find something at t thrift store, there will be some other things available.
Look things over carefully, to make sure that no integral parts are missing, unless you are repurposing something and don’t care. Look around at other stores, just to get an idea what styles are fashionable. Additionally, make sure that you know quality. I can look and see items and see possibilities, and savings. After a while of thrifting you will be able to as well.
Topics: July 2008 |