Trolling the shelves.

This past weekend I spent a whopping $3.72 on things at a thrift store. I bought an Effanbee doll from 1967, two bags of yarn, and two books. I like buying books at thrift stores because you find books that are old and possibly out of print or you can get a hard cover copy of a recently popular book that people have cast off. I saw several copies of David Brown’s “The DaVinci Code” in hardcover available for 70 cents with dust cover. Softcover books from the Mary Poppins series in very good condition were a mere 35 cents. Romance novels abound as a well as other paperback books. Blank journals – they are there too. Considering that you may buy a book for yourself for about the cost of two or three day’s worth of fines owing your own book is more satisfying.

For the hobbyists who like records – more and more people have been getting rid of records. I haven’t looked at the condition of the albums themselves, but there are many that are in great shape. The thrill of the hunt at a thrift store is also interesting. Searching for nice dinnerware, a silver plated tray or a bag of wooden name key chains – you can find them in a thrift store – CHEAP!

Yesterday I went with my mother to a couple of thrift stores. I gave up on the book section because, this was a last stop after shopping at a few places and the books were shelved three deep, behind boxes of other books and records.

Even if you are just looking for one type of item, say fat quarters for quilting, or 11 inch fashion dolls for an art project you can get better quality and often cheaper ones than if you bought brand new ones from the dollar store.

There are clothes, bric-a-brac and other goodies that can be found, but you have to look. Actually, the amount of time spent looking for an item is in direct proportion to the price. You have to search but then make a decision what you want because there will be other people who may want the same thing that you do. 

Thrift stores provide inexpensive entertainment and allow you to pursue a hobby for very little money. The cost of entry is free into a thrift store but you can definitely find some valuable treasures for very little money.