Thrift store and resale shop prices aren’t always great deals.

Here are some examples of prices:

• Yarn purchased new at craft store on sale for 16 ounces of acrylic yarn – $5. Recently seen at a thrift store a semi-tangled, used skein of similar yarn  - $4. Not a bargain.

• A bargain is a bag of yarn with four 3 ounce skeins for just under two dollars. (On half price day, this was 95 cents so it was a real steal!)

• Stainless steel cream and sugar set with small tray – $5. Bargain. Plus being stainless steel this offers the added benefit of not needing polishing as with silver.

• When thrifting, books are a bargain if they are under a dollar for a paperback and two dollars for a hardcover. 

• A ladies lined rain coat with removable lining in very good condition – $12. Good price.

Thrift store prices are often lower than resale shops or consignment stores because they are less selective about their merchandise and basically want things to go. Even if some of the items are new, religious or veteran affiliated stores receive many donations and need people to buy so that they can restock the shelves.

Knowing the true cost of an item is important also when going to garage and estate sales. Also when you are on the other end of a sale, as the seller. If you don’t want to have too many items left over at the end of a sale, then you should definitely price your items to sell. 

Taking a trip to a regular store will give you an idea of the quality of items and what the prices are. This does not mean that you like the prices, but will give you an understanding of the quality. One drawback from thrift stores and garage sales is that larger items need to be moved from a place. I saw a large round marble table priced at $250 which would need to have professional movers come in and move it for you, but paying the movers plus the cost of the table would definitely be a great deal for the table. 

Bargain hunting can be hit or miss. If you know prices, then you can avoid the misses.

Vacation plans?

 Do you have any vacation plans? Or have they been put on hold because of the economy? Taking a vacation is about taking a break from work which can help you be more productive. But more people are forgoing taking unnecessary days off because they do not want to take unnecessary days off.

If you have a certain amount of vacation days and you can’t carry them over to the next year, taking them is a wise decision. Even going or an overnight trip of just doing things in your own city will give you a break from your regular routine.

If you have a certain amount of security in you job, then you might want to take book a vacation last minute or for a more inclusive package such as a cruise.

Even though some companies are forcing workers to take furlough days, vacation days are still something that people need to take. Another way to take a vacation would be to go away for part of your vacation and spend the rest of your time at home. Get away from the text messaging, emails and other things and just enjoy from free time at home.

There are great deals at hotels and for resorts because the service and travel industries are hurting as well. Search around for deals  - Princess Cruises has had some last minute deals – for departures within a month that were about half the regular cabin rate. Sites like Expedia, Hotwire and even the direct hotel sites offer some packages for rooms, breakfast and some nearby attractions.

Taking a vacation can happen for less than you think. If going away will take too much out of your budget, take a day off and do something pleasurable and  interesting in your city that you don’t get a chance to do, because you are working. Taking a picnic in a park or forest preserve when everyone else is working can be fun too.

Sell it or pawn it?

The cash for gold commercials are very tempting. But unlike pawning an item, you have no chance to get the item back.

When should you pawn an item? If you know you can get the money back within the required time – generally 30 days. This is attractive if you need cash fast and know that you want to get the item back.

Selling your gold (or silver) items for cash is for the times when you know you do not like the piece anymore. If the item is actually really in great condition, saleable or an heirloom, you might do better to go to a jeweler’s and sell it to a place that deals in estate jewelry.

The junky jewelry that you bought when you were younger and dislike, don’t wear or it brings up bad memories could be a good source of quick cash. Although you should know that when you sell a gold item for cash, you will get less for 10 karat gold than you would 14 karat, and 14 karat gold will fetch less than 18 karat. Knowing this will save you from disappointment when you are expecting enough for your rent. In actuality, you might only receive enough for a few tanks of gas. Cash is cash, but jewelry doesn’t take up as much room as say an additional piece of furniture that you might want to get rid of.

If you really need money and want to pawn a piece of jewelry to someone but you think it might take you more than the allotted 30 days that you are given at a pawn shop, ask a trusted friend to lend you the money and let them hold the jewelry. This way you can get the item back. Make sure that you write up a contract if necessary.

There’s only just so much I will do to save money. Though I hope these are meant to be humorous… there are just certain things I will not do to save money. This Walletpop article on the “Six Grossest Ways to Save Money” outlines exactly that – gross ways to save money. The grossest has to DIY Feminine Supplies and Recycling Nail Clippings. Other cultures do things that we wouldn’t want to do such as using dung for heating – if you live on a farm, or very rural area using animal dung as fertilizer isn’t unusual. Using your own hair to make something  - though not the oddest things I have ever heard of might be difficult for some to do.

There are probably some other gross ways to save that are so gross, that people don’t want to mention them or take credit for them, many of which may deal with personal hygiene. Since personal hygiene and health issues tend to go hand in hand, there is no scrimping in that area for me!

Coupons – now that CNN Money has discovered coupons then everyone will use them. Actually using coupons is a good thing. Making purchases to buy items you normally wouldn’t because you have a coupon isn’t the best thing to do.

Using coupons wisely has always been a great way to make your dollars go further. The more money you can save with a coupon the better. Using coupons when items you want are on sale or using coupons to try new items is great. Buying items just because they are on sale and you don’t particularly like the brand will not do much for your budget other than provide you with something that you do not like.

I like waiting until an item is on sale and then using a coupon or stacking a store coupon with a manufacturer’s coupon for additional deals. In some parts of the country, there are stores that double and triple coupons on certain days. I have never seen one in my area but that would be a great way to save more money. Even before the economy tanked, I was a coupon user. I remember embarrassing a cousin by using a coupon to take him to local arcade/mini golf center and getting pizza, pop and tokens with a coupon. He enjoyed himself even though I enjoyed myself more because I saved money.

Coupons are making a resurgence.  A year or so ago, coupons were disappearing from papers, now they are coming back stronger than ever to get people to make some purchases. Even if you aren’t able to get sales, using a coupon helps make your own personal sale.