Contributed by Cheyenne Bell
If you’ve known me for more than five minutes, you know that I LOVE discovering awesome things to buy at thrift stores. Like, I’m obsessed with thrift stores, antique stores, junk stores…you name it, if it has something to do with shopping for used treasures, I’m all for it.
I think I caught the bug when I moved into my first place and realized that I could furnish it for pennies on the dollar with thrift finds.
Since having kids, however, I have taken my thrifty ways to a whole new level.
In case you haven’t heard, kids are expensive. And they grow like weeds. As much as I would love to spend hundreds of dollars every month on clothing and toys for my kids, it’s just not going to happen.
And, let’s be honest, even if I had a money tree growing in my back yard, I still wouldn’t pay full price for kid’s clothes (have you seen those prices?!). But because it is socially unacceptable for my kids to run around naked all the time, I had to find a way to clothe them for cheap.
Do you see where I’m going with this? You got it. Thrift stores for the win!
And there are so many other things you can find for your home or kiddos at your local thrift store. Here are the top five things I look for while thrifting:
What to Buy
1. Books
I am a lover of books and my kids are quickly following in my footsteps. The only way I can support our collective book habit is by buying them at thrift stores.
Most of the books I find for me are in great condition, and every now and then I find brand new books (even newly released books!) for $0.99 to $1.99 a piece.
When you find a book you like, just be sure to flip through it to make sure no pages are torn. And when looking for kids books, make sure the binding is still good and definitely check the pages for tearing, coloring marks or other toddler graffiti.
2. Movies
I can’t tell you how many times I have found brand new Disney or Veggie Tales movies at the thrift store for less than $5 a pop. They also have video games and a lot of kid-centered music DVD’s. Most of the time they are in great shape, but make sure you are able to examine the actual disc before you buy.
3. Toys
When it comes to thrifted toys you have to be a little more particular. Inspect the toys thoroughly to make sure all buttons, levers, etc. are still working. Make sure all parts are there.
If the toy takes a battery but it’s dead, you may just have to take the risk that it won’t work with fresh batteries. But at a fraction of the cost of the same toy at Target, for me, the risk is worth it. Granted, I always give each toy a thorough wipe-down with a disinfectant before giving them to my kids.
4. Kid’s clothes and shoes
This category has been a HUGE money saver for me. Almost all of the clothes and shoes I buy my kids are from thrift stores or garage sales. It is not uncommon to find brand new or excellent condition clothes and shoes for a dollar or two per piece.
I consistently find brand name (Gymboree, Stride Rite, Jack & Janie) stuff in fabulous shape, some with tags still on!
Even if I do find them new, I’m sure to wash everything before my kids wear them. It just makes me feel better.
5. Home goods
I’ve bought some amazing lamps, art, and decor from thrift stores. I’ve been able to decorate two nurseries and a playroom with wood furniture, shelves, bins and decorative items.
If you’re a creative type, there are loads of things you can repurpose at thrift stores. I’ve also found thrift stores to be treasure troves for craft supplies and fabric!
What to Avoid
As obsessed with thrifting as I am, I do draw the line at some things. Here are a few things you should definitely avoid buying used:
1. Bedding
To put it bluntly: bodily fluids and bugs. You just never know what kinds of things may be living in used pillows or what kinds of accidents may have occurred on that comforter.
2. Upholstered furniture
Kind of the same concept as bedding; you just never know where that small stain came from or what kind of tiny critters may have made it’s home in the stuffing of that couch. Just think of all the things your kids have done to your upholstered furniture.
3. Cribs
There are federal safety regulations regarding cribs and they are constantly evolving and changing. Finding a used crib may seem like a steal, but if you’re not 100% certain it’s safe, it’s not a risk you should take.
4. Car seats
Like cribs, car seats must meet strict standards that change often. Further, you never know whether a used car seat has been in a collision and whether it’s structural integrity has been compromised. Don’t risk your kids’ safety by buying a car seat used.
5. Metal and non-stick cookware
A lot of times when you find metal cookware at a thrift shop, it’s because it’s past its prime. If you use it, you risk baking rust and/or other metals into your food.
As for non-stick cookware, the coating breaks down over time and can leach harmful chemicals into your food. You’d be better off spending a few more bucks at Wal-Mart on a set of new cookware.
If you’ve never tried thrifting and you have expensive, growing children in your house or you want to furnish/decorate a room on the cheap, now’s the time to check out your local resale shops!
Print out this list and take it with you if you need some guidance, but definitely give it a shot. You never know what treasures you will find!
Looking for more like this? Check out these posts:
- 7 Great Reasons to Hang-Dry Laundry All Year-Round
- 3 Possible Reasons You’re Failing at Sticking to a Grocery Budget
- Why We Said Goodbye to Our Television (But Still Have Screen Time)
- Why International Travel with Kids is Worth It (And How to Keep it Simple)
What was the latest great find you scored at a thrift shop?
Melinda
You can toss clothing into the washer to get rid of any hidden ickiness- not so much with a chair or sofa…
Cara
Furniture bedding and fabrics are issues? Bugs and stains? Isn’t clothing fabric? Wouldn’t linens/ bedding undergo the same cleaning process as clothes?
Melinda
You can toss clothing into the washer to get rid of any hidden ickiness- not so much with a chair or sofa…
Monique Perez
Yes very very true! Anything can be washed cleaned and disinfected, just like anything can become contaminated. You just need to take precautions and make sure that you clean all items.
Kristi
My best find was a set of Pottery Barn Wall mail slots. I paid $3.99 each. I went to the Pottery Barn Store to buy the rail to mount them and it was half price $7.99. They retail for a lot!
Angela
I bought all of our couches second hand. You just have to get a flashlight and reeeaaaallly inspect the crevices. There are some gems with no stains and I use my steamer on high to sanitize. As for bed bugs, they can be found ANYWHERE. Even in that dest you are buying. They hid and lay eggs in the cracks. Some are dormant for months. Any stuffed animals you buy, immediately wash on hot water in the washing machine and high dry. Bedding will not have bed bugs as there is no place for them to hide and if you can get decent sheets for your kids beds, yay! Again, just wash them on hot and dry on high. I know a ton about bed bugs because we had a scare once. Turns out, they were beetles :/ But seriously, furniture and stuffed animals are the big ones to look at.
Angela
I apologize for the misspells. Some of my keyboard keys are sticking 🙁
Tiaruna
I once found a genuine leather lazy boy recliner with minimal scratches around the reclining bar. It was in great shape just overlooked. Someone had placed the wrong sign on it but the actual price due to how long it was in the store (with wrong sign) was…$. 50… Yes! Fifty cents!
Beth
Oh my gosh – that’s NUTS! I hope you bought it??
Beth
I found a almost brand new tall walker for my dad for 10.00. Cheap new ones that are shorter run about 50.00 or more.
NE
Best way to go to prom. My daughter and I found a beautiful dress for $5 and a pair of unworn heels for $6. ♡♡♡
Vgirl
I would consider myself a thrift store junkie too. Yesterday I had a total score. Went to the Salvation Army and purchased a pair of dirty odd looking earrings for 1.99. Went to my car and inspected the piece. It was a Tiffany and Co. pair of silver earrings. Took it to the Tiffany & Co. store, they cleaned it and even gave me a blue bag.
Jamie
If you want to be FULLY prepared (and perhaps a bit obsessive…no judgement here!), you could keep a small baggie of batteries in your car. That way when you find yourself pulling into a thrift store to look for toys, grab that bag and try the toy out there in store if it requires batteries. Then, you’ll know right away whether it’s worth buying or putting back on the shelf.
Lesa
I Found a leather jacket for $2.50
I found a brand new womens suit with a price tag of $350.00 and paid $4.00.
I also bought a first addition Stephen King novel for $1.00
I buy most of my suit jackets at thrift stores. When they get alittle worn, I throw them out and buy a new one. You can almost always find suit jackets that are new for around $10.00 or less.
JC
Yay, another thrift store junky like me!! We buy all kinds of things at thrift stores and it saves us so much money each year. I would add board games to your list. You have to check that all parts are there but we have lots of great games we paid a couple of dollars for that are $20-30 at the store. I have to say though that I disagree on the bedding. While I will not buy fluffly things (pillows/comforters) I do buy sheets and blankets. You still have to check for holes and stains and stuff. Anything flat can be washed well and used. Something about fluffly pillows and comforters ick me out though. I’m thinking bed bugs and stuff like that more than anything. You can always sanitize with a little bleach if your afraid of bacteria and stuff like that but some bugs can survive a washing if they are deep in fluff with air pockets.
Monique Perez
One of my favorite items that I bought was an antique gumball machine. It was priced at 4.99. My bf told me to leave it and not to waist my money on that kind of junk. I told him it was worth way more than that. I took it home and made 8 times the amount in profit (I like to resell items). I always find a good price and enjoy the thrill of the hunt through the shelves!