secondhand information

  

I told a few people that I'd do a post on thrift shopping and buying things secondhand, and I'm finally getting around to it. I feel sort of silly addressing how I thrift shop, it's not like I have some secret strategies or something. It's just how I've shopped since my sister and I discovered the Happy Dragon Thrift store in our neighborhood when we were in high school (remember those "fill a paper bag for $1" days, Lisa?).

I buy things secondhand for many reasons:

• Economics. We're a family on a tight budget. We'd like to save for the future. We love pretty, well-designed things, but can't responsibly afford them. Why should I buy my children cheaply-made, poorly-designed clothing new at a chain store when I can buy them well-designed and durable European and vintage clothing at the thrift store?
• To minimize waste and to show my children a different path than that of our mass-produced and commercial culture.
• Originality. I love having things nobody else has.
• A love of old things, things with history, with soul.
• The thrill of discovering something unexpected and wonderful.

Here's what I can come up with in terms of thrifting tips:

• Go often. I stop by my favorite thrift stores once a week. Sometimes I spend an hour poking through things, other times I just breeze through to see if anything jumps out at me. I almost always have my children with me which often dictates the length of our stay.*
• Have an open mind.
• Be patient. Don't be disheartened if after a visit you come away empty-handed. Next time you may hit the jackpot.
• If you are easily overwhelmed by the amount of stuff, concentrate on just one area each visit. Take the time to really look through the linens, and then leave. Do not worry about what you might be missing. You can miss a lot by trying to take in the entire store.
• Only buy things for which you have a use. That said, I think "sitting there looking pretty" or "being my favorite color" are pretty worthy uses. I do always ask myself, "Is this worth twice the price to me?" (I ask myself this question for everything I buy from a cappuccino to a new computer. I got it from the book Your Money or Your Life, I think. Yes, some pairs of boots are worth $250 to me. Some vintage aprons are not worth $10.)
• Keep a thrift store wish-list. Sometimes you need a little reminder. Right now I have a list that reads: egg cups, rain boots (Mia), down vest (Milo), board games by Ravensburger, black and white striped t-shirt, hand blender, soft woolen clothing/blankets (for stuffeds), child-size mugs, child-size silverware, lamp for work area (I found a great orange 70's swing-arm lamp yesterday).

*A note on thrifting with kids: A lot of the time my husband is with me and we each take a child while we look. When I'm on my own, I typically get a cart, put my son in the seat and my daughter in the basket (they're both getting too big for this - they're four and six). We stop by the books to pick up a stack and my daughter will read to my son while I shop. I realize this wouldn't work for every family, but if you go often, you will probably come up with your own ritual. I very rarely buy toys, so they don't think to ask for them. We do often buy books. If my kids aren't happy being there, we leave. I try to make it work, but I much prefer going thrifting on my own or with an adult companion!

And, for my Portland readers, here's some of the places that I frequent (sorry, for not listing addresses, but I've run out of time):

• The Goodwill. There are several locations around town. By and large, they are clean and well-organized. The Southeast store on MLK is the best for books. The vintage children's books from the 60's and 70's that I love are usually priced at 49 cents (hard to resist). This store is really popular and the good stuff does not sit around, but they are constantly putting "new" merchandise out.
• Value Village. All around town. Slightly grungy, but well-organized. Suffers a bit from the R.O.P.I. (randomly over-priced item) syndrome. Good sales and mark-downs.
• Better Bargains. Kind of scary, but I have found some seriously amazing stuff here. Has some R.O.P.I.s. Bring in a bag of stuff to donate and you get 30% off.
• Red, White, & Blue. This is actually in Gladstone (or one of those cities out that way). If you're making the drive you might as well do what I call "the triptych": the Milwaukee Goodwill, Value Village, and RW&B. They are cash-only and do not take returns, but there's some excellent stuff to be found.
• Knittin' Kitten: all fabric and craft thrift store with excellent prices. I forget to visit here, but when I do I always find a little something special (and I rarely spend more than a couple dollars).

Happy hunting!

Comments

[christie]

All of us thrift impaired folk thank-you!

[mo]

You read my mind! I think you wrote about knittin kitten awhile back and I was trying to find it and here you are with this post! I have a serious itch for some thrifting this weekend so thanks!

[sally]

Stephanie: Thank you so much for putting together this "thrifting guide". I'll have to check out some of the local shops you mentioned this weekend.

[nichola]

You've got to love thrifting! I do it for the same reasons.

[maria]

what a great guide, thank you!
my biggest prob is getting things i don't need {or having too many little knick knacks around} so i have to go with a distinctive list and i usually only go when i'm on the hunt for something. but you are reminding me that it might be best to work it into a 2 week thing because it might help me be less bored when i don't find just what i'm looking for. thanks girl!
mav

[pyglet]

I live in Australia so the store listing is different and I probably don't stictly stick to "buy only what you NEED" :) but I definately do the rounds weekly and agree with all your advice.

Be careful ladies, you should also be warned, for those with a pre-disposition thrifting CAN be addictive!!

[carol]

I love your ideas as to why you thrift.

My kids struck gold last week and gave me some great birthday gifts. To me this was so much more personal and fun for them (and of course me- no $1 finds!)

I second your position on not wanting my kids all live in the mass produced world of design. Hurray for the Thrifts!

[jenny vorwaller]

i'm sad that it was sort of fallen through the cracks...no one's fault..but you should be a contributor to tagsaletales.blogspot.com :)

maybe it just needs a little revival.

[vania]

thanks for this post - i'm also an avid thrifter. My reasons are really the same as yours - those mugs by the way, are amazing!

[hannah]

i think its great what you are teaching your children! and i love the reminder list tip, i never would have thought of that, and i do always go into the store and completely forget what im looking for. i will be armed with a plan next time!

[Amanda]

Happy Dragon?!?! I am getting far too excited about this... did you grow up in Los Gatos, CA? We had a Happy Dragon there (in fact my grandmother ran the store for a long time!), but maybe there were Happy Dragon's all over the country. Just had to ask, I love your blog!

[mary]

what a great post. thrifting can be wonderfully exciting because you never know what you will find. I too think these are wonderful lessons for your kids, and i wholeheartedly agree with you about your reasons for thrifting.

[Joi]

Oh how I LOVE the knittn kitten!! The Goodwill on 92and Powell..... though small.... also seems to get the best books.

[Toni]

An excellent post!! I thrift for many of the same reasons and share several of your strategies :) We used to live in Oregon and I frequented the same thrifts!

[PJ]

What a great lesson for AMERICA!!!! What you do with your kids I did the same! I hear young parents blaming their kids why they can't shopping or something...but the thing is they fail to 'teach' the children stuff that really is important in the everyday routine stuff. LOVE your frugal thoughts and it's SO good for the kids! Great post!

[jennifer]

thanks so much for posting this! *Sometimes* I go to the goodwill bins but that seems more difficult with the 2 wee ones. Such a great list! Thanks again :)

[Kristen]

What a great post! I used to thrift all the time and would get that adrenaline rush when I would find great stuff. I had a slump and then got discouraged and don't go as often. But I know if i went on a regular basis, I would get into it again. You make me want to! I found that bowl, cup, and saucer with the girl drawing on it too. Then I saw it in an antique shop for lots of $$$! Crazy.

[Aja]

I love, love, love second hand stuff - great post! I miss the awesome selection of stores back on the west coast. The east coast doesn't seem to have as many in my neck of the woods. But I can give a shout-out to second hand buying on the web, lots of good stuff as well!

[kelly]

thrifting is the best... i don't know what i'd do without our thrifting visits, but it sure has become harder since having a child! i am totally in love with those speckled beige mugs with the white/blue abstract design on them... are those marked? can you pass along any info? i'd love to look for those myself!

[stephanie]

did everyone go thrifting today? (i did not)
maria: i often buy too many knick-knacks for my taste too. i have started taking things back if i don't have the perfect spot for it when i get home. if a perfect spot is occupied by something else, i give that thing away.

amanda: yes, i'm from los gatos

joi: going to have to check out that location!

kelly: aren't the mugs great? they are stoneware and are small (about 4 inches high). no marks at all. i'd love to know more.

[di]

thanks- fantastic tips for a novice thrifter.
I totally support your reasons for thrifting. I'm pretty tight with how I value what I spend and what I spend it on.
I think the process of hunting and selecting means you value the things you own much more. And when I pass things on to goodwill, I like to thing of someone else having the pleasure of owning and using the items in the future.

[Tracy]

As always such a great post. Thank-you for the inspiration! I have gotten away from thrifting in the last few years and with 2 little ones am feeling the financial strain. This was just the advice I needed to get back on track - and I just found a used copy of Your Money Or Your Life for $0.25! Thanks!

[valentina]

Amen, sister! The trouble for me is that in NYC thrifting isn't exactly economic. So I think about the other points.

[Samantha]

I totally agree with your reasons for thrifting. Much the same as mine. I would offer one other tip: and that is to keep an open mind and not to expect NOT to find anything.

Most of our possessions are second hand/thrifted.

[molly]

these tips are great.
I usually thrift at goodwill with my girls and follow a similar ritual...except it usually involves one noisy, crazy, plastic toy we'd never buy. they know they're allowed to play with it 'only while we shop'. then it goes back on the shelf...and it keeps them happy.
thanks for all these pointers/reminders.