Thrift Stores: Places to Save
The economy is a wreck right now, but your local thrift store is there to help you get out of your financial rut. Shopping at these stores is a viable alternative to having to pay retail prices at other mainstream stores, so be sure to check you local community for these types of second-hand shops – they’ll get you back on budget! Now there are some people who think that only less fortunate people are the ones who shop at thrift stores, but this is very much not the case. I’ve been shopping at these places for years and years, and I’ve seen just as many richer people as poorer ones – it’s just all about being smart, and one way to keep your money, no matter how much you have, is to not spend it in the first place.
There are many international thrift store chains, like Goodwill and Buffalo Exchange, as well as many individual small shops, but they all serve the same purpose, to get you quality items at the lowest possible prices. Look through your phone book and research online to find the ones that are closest to you, and also pay attention if they have anything particularly that they specialize in, which brings a specific type of attention. So what do you typically find at these places? Clothing is a major part of them generally, but you can also find things like furniture, music equipment, kitchen supplies, books, sports equipment, and all sorts of entertainment devices. Because of the thrifty nature of the stores, they are most often used and second hand, but there are plenty of instances where you can find brand new items for close to nothing!
After your initial trip to a thrift store, you’ll wonder why you haven’t been shopping at places like that you’re entire life. Items are sold for pennies on the dollar, and in a single trip you can potentially save hundreds by searching the right items out. There are all sorts of designer clothes available, as well as vintage stuff, all good as new and ready for you to show off to your friends.
Also, if you donate to a place like the Salvation Army, you can claim that on your taxes and potentially get money off of what you owe. If you decide to donate, be sure to ask the staff there what the correct procedure is for making sure everything is legally correct.
Often thrift stores are set up to help your local community as well, either through the recycling of items that would be thrown away otherwise, to specifically catering jobs to people in need. Ask a manager some time when you go in a store to see what their policies are. So be smart and help yourself out during these tough times, and visit your local thrift store today to be a part of the solution.