The Joy of Thrifting
It’s kind of nice that thrift stores are becoming trendy again. The bad economy has made more people re-think their spending and most second-hand stores are seeing a huge surge in business. Unfortunately, at the same time all of those people who are re-thinking their spending are holding onto their old items a little longer and the thrift stores are also seeing a downturn in donations.
Still, I love browsing at my local Hospice thrift stores. In our area, they tend to get the coolest stuff and they always keep their prices down. My favorite Hospice gets full sets of high end China all of the time. I have been looking for about two years for a set to come in that I like and is also complete. Last week I got my hands on a full set of Noritake Edgewood in pretty much unused conditions – 8 full place settings as well as fruit bowls and an array of serving pieces. I got it all for about $150. It was a steal.
That same Hospice store also tends to get overstock and old merchandise from at least one Hallmark store and a drugstore. My daughter saw a huge display of incontinence products this week at the Hospice and loudly announced to everyone around us that she no longer needs diapers, she has dry nights now. She looked so proud of herself that I did not bother to explain that those particular “diapers” were not for children.
I’m not sure how old kids are when they stop getting excited about new clothing that is not exactly new. My daughter is still thrilled when I come home with a pair of Calvin Klein jeans that I got for a buck or a sweater that cost all of 59 cents. They are new to her and that is all that seems to matter right now. I will count my blessings, because the say that those second-hand clothes stop being exciting for her is the day my budget will need a huge overhaul.
No comments yet.