Thrift Store Shopping - Update

 

I haven't written an update on my Thrift Store Shopping Challenge in awhile because, to be honest, it's no longer a challenge. My closet is now full of clothes I love and every item has been purchased second hand. I have gotten more compliments on my clothes - from friends and strangers - since I have started exclusively buying clothes and accessories second hand. 

That's not to say it hasn't been a challenge. Up until a month ago it was a challenge I tackled with great enthusiasm. 

One weekend in May I went away with some friends and we spent one afternoon at the Outlets - and that is where I was truly put to the test! There were incredible deals, cute clothes and my friends were shopping. It was hard not joining in the fun! They even offered to buy me what I wanted and have me then pay for something non clothing related for them... ha! We women certainly know how to work a system. 

But that afternoon I did stay strong and stuck to my commitment to not buy any clothing or accessories from a store - and I am so proud of myself for that! It encouraged my resolve. And what was once a challenge is no longer a challenge. I am now bored of my challenge to only shop second hand stores and yard sales for myself and the boys because I have found it to be both easy and fun - the challenge is gone.

I have started to think of a new challenge for myself and I am leaning towards following in Rebecca's steps and not buy anything for a year or follow the path of the extreme minimalists and only own a small amount of clothes. I am not able to commit to either challenge quite yet as I have already dropped two pant sizes this year and plan to drop one or two more by the end of this year and out of necessity will need to buy more clothes - but I am playing around with both ideas.

In the mean time I am stocking up on cheap accessories as I find them - once I up the challenge I won't be able to indulge in these little fun finds.

Here are a few fun finds of recent:

Tweed purse by Express - $1.75

Brighton Belt - brand new with $45 tag - paid .75 cents

 Pretty peach colored earrings - $1

Necklace  - $1

Boycotting Clothes

Rebecca is a few years older than me and growing up my sister and I were always the beneficiaries of Rebecca and her sisters hand me downs. It was one of the highlights of my teen years getting clothes from her. Guess that tells you how exciting my teens years were, huh?

When Rebecca heard about my challenge to only shop at second hand stores she told me she was on a challenge to not buy any clothes for an entire year I was intrigued. 

And then forgot about it. 

But I remembered again and had the brilliant idea of asking her to write about it and I am so glad I did because I just love her story and think you will too!

Rebecca has graciously written a guest post on her boycotting of clothes - I do so love it worded like that!

Rebecca's Story:

My name is Rebecca and I'm boycotting clothes... not the wearing of, but instead, the purchasing of... for an entire year.
 

In a quest to find out where my money is ACTUALLY going, in July of 2009 I decided to cut out a few things from my lifestyle: clothes, shoes, and accessories were first to go. Why? I was inspired. How? Partially because I never want to fall into debt, partially because I love daring myself to do dumb things, and partially because of Danny Wallace's book, "Yes Man." Now, if you've read this book you're probably thinking, "you dummy, aren't you supposed to be saying 'yes' to things? You're a 'No Woman'!" Admittedly, I guess I am. Kind of. Actually, now that I think about it, I'm not really a 'No Woman' at all.

While saying no to clothes, I am actually saying yes to do more with my money than just wear it. I'm saying yes to experiences as well as saving and investing my money. I'm saying yes as in "yes, it is possible to not NEED to buy an abundance of clothes." I'm also saying, yes, YOU can do it, too. Try it. Some people will be skeptical, and others will be encouraging. I have a number of shopaholic friends who regularly empty their closets and donate clothes to me that they aren't wearing anymore. Clothing swaps are the main reason why this challenge has been relatively easy. If you're going to take up this challenge, I strongly encourage assessing your friendships and becoming closer to those that are the same size as you. I should probably take this opportunity to apologize to my short and tiny friends, if I've been avoiding you, your value obviously plummeted when you couldn't be of help to my clothing needs. All joking aside, one of my friends actually bet me that I wouldn't be able to last the full year and she's going to be owing me quite a chunk of change come August 1st! My own sister told me she would sneak me new clothes if I paid her to! I haven't, and I won't... plus that would just botch this entire thing.

I'm not saying this has been ridiculously easy at all. Originally, I just stayed out of malls. Out of sight, out of mind. Right? Then came time for Christmas shopping. I wouldn't even say I have the SLIGHTEST shopping addiction, but the second I stepped foot in that mall I wanted one of EVERYTHING.  I may have partially blacked out and envisioned how glorious it would be to be jumping off my roof top into a mound of new clothes while even newer clothes rained down upon me... Surprisingly, I made it out of the mall with not a thing for myself! From then on it's been smooth sailing.

There was one catch when I made this plan, the idea was that I couldn't spend any of MY own money on clothing for myself. So, for Christmas, I got a little sneaky and asked for gift cards. I've been so cautious with spending them because it's an extremely limited fund to last me until August 1st; I still have $42 left and am weary about spending it. What if I simultaneously get holes in ALL my socks and need new ones? I'm not even kidding, I've thought about this and if I had no money left on my gift cards, it would be tragic... my toes are the ugliest. Odds are $42 will be sitting on that gift card inside my wallet until the end of July. 

Ridiculously unnecessary long story cut short (and at the risk of sounding like the motivational speaker that I'm not): Challenge yourself. If not to this, to something else. You'd be surprised at your will power (and savings in some instances).

I have no idea what's up next for me, but I'm always up to some kind of shenanigan, odds are this is just the beginning.

A Thrift Store Secret

Here is a secret I have discovered: local business donate their previous seasons items that haven't sold in their store to second hand stores. All of Big Lots Christmas surplus is currently sitting at our local Salvation Army (oddly enough, priced higher than Big Lots final discount of 80% off). Our local Goodwill is the home of Joanne Fabrics extra Christmas surplus (again - priced higher than Joanne's final discount price of 90% off!) 

The Salvation Army has also had a large stock of brand new rugs, undershirts, shoes and books - I am not sure which store any of those come from but the volume of identical, brand new items tells me they must have been donated by a store. A quick Google search told me the rugs were 50% off, the undershirts 75% off, shoes 75% off and books about 90% off. 

And most recently The Salvation Army has become the new home for Catherines Plus Size Clothing Store's extra jewelry - all brand new and marked down by 80% - 95%.

I only picked up these two pairs of earrings priced at $1 and $1.25 each as I don't really need bracelets or necklaces, but I have been thrilled with this realization about brand new items being donated by local businesses. And at the same time I am realizing how important it is to know your prices. While the Christmas items are a great price they were considerably cheaper at the stores themselves. The rugs and shoes and undershirts at 50% - 75% off are only mediocre deals. You can easily find the same deals at stores like TJMax or Ross.

I am developing a great relationship with the workers at our local Thrift Store and I plan on asking them if there is a certain day or month that tends to get more business donations so I can be over there checking them out with great frequency - I wonder if coming up on tax time encourages more generous donations from businesses?

Best Foot Forward

 

While I have been a little slow in updating about my goal for only shopping thrift stores throughout 2010 I have remained true to my goal with great success through the first month of my challenge. Between my sister and my purchases I have many more articles of clothing to photograph! 

Shoes are such an iffy subject when it comes to second hand shopping. I am in the group of people that think it is ok to buy shoes from thrift stores or yard sales so long as they are either brand new or barely worn. 

Finding brand new shoes can be a challenge - finding them in the right size and style is even more difficult! Our local thrift store seems to have oodles of cute, brand new shoes in size 7 and size 12. As a size 9 they are completely useless to me.

Over the last month my sister and I have each found two pairs of shoes that we liked enough to buy. The pair in the top picture are Steve Madden shoes - they aren't something I would normally buy but for $1 and in near-new condition I couldn't pass them up.

These are my sister's - they cost her $2 and originally sell for $80.

This is her other pair - Steve Madden closed toe shoes. She paid $8 at our "expensive" thrift store, but they were something she really wanted. They retail for $80.

And finally these brown suede shoes for myself for $5- with two active boys I have found myself drawn to flats over the last couple years. They're both functional and cute.

I have made an album of Thrift Store Finds to document our finds over this year. The album can be viewed HERE. 

What about you - what are your thoughts on buying shoes second hand?

Thrift Store Finds and Being Picky

 Sweater dress - $4

I have always been a casual thrift store/yard sale clothes shopper and when I started to follow various blogs where people highlighted their own fabulous frugal finds I always thought my own local thrift stores lacked the class, prices and variety of everyone elses thrift stores.

I am here to tell you that it isn't true.

And to tell those of you who think my thrift store is unique and better than yours - that likely isn't true either!

Men's dress shirt - $4

The day my sister and I bought over $1,200 worth of clothes - many of which were brand new with price tags - for a total of $60 we spent TWO HOURS looking through the racks of clothes.

She was looking for clothes for herself and for me and I was looking for clothes for myself and her - so we had two people looking for two hours each for clothes.

Not only does shopping with a sister or friend enable you to find items you may have over looked, but it also offers (what should be!) an honest second opinion on what clothes flatter and what clothes do not flatter.

Just because you find a fabulous name brand item for a few dollars does not mean you need to buy it! To me, shopping second hand affords you to be extremely picky about the clothes that you wear.

• The garment should be well made - knowing good brand names is a great starting point for this. Quite often I google clothing brands on my phone if I don't recognize them.
• The clothes need to have minimal to no wear showing on them. It is amazing the amount of nice, brand new with store tag items can be found!
  
• Walmart brand and Ann Taylor shirts all sell for the same price (at least at our local thrift stores!) Knowing this, I have decided that there's no reason to be buying anything but brand name clothes.
• Make sure to buy clothes that truly flatter and fit you well right now. This has been especially hard for me lately as I have been losing weight and it is so hard to not buy clothes that I want to fit into! But the reality is, there will always be fabulous clothes at the thrift store and I really don't want to clutter up my closet with clothes I'm not currently wearing.

I have been so encouraged to hear that my challenge for myself this year to buy clothes only from thrift stores has encouraged some of you to check out your local thrift stores!! I love hearing those stories, so do let me know if you pick up some great finds!

Tommy Hilfiger jeans - $5 

Thrift Store Shopping Spree and New Years Goal

I don't generally make personal goals for each New Year - not because I don't have goals, but because I have never thought of anything interesting enough to say "this is my New Years goal."

Paul and I set lofty financial goals at the beginning of 2009 and we're both thrilled that we exceeded those goals. And we're doing it again in 2010. But those are "us" goal, not a personal goal.

The past couple of weeks I have been inspired with an idea that I have decided to turn into a goal for 2010 -

To buy all of my clothes from the thrift store or yard sales.

I know I have linked to her a lot lately, but Jen has been a true inspiration for this goal!! Check this link for all her Frugal Fashionista posts to check out some of her great finds!!

On top of that, all of my children's clothes will come from those places and - I am so excited about this - my sister, who is living with us for five months, has agreed to participate too!

I already buy the majority of our clothes second hand, but it will be a challenge to be exclusively a thrift store/yard sale shopper!!

There are a few exceptions I have set for myself;

1. Undergarments will be bought brand new from a store.

2. Same with bathing suits.

3. If I get a gift card to a store I can buy clothes with the gift card (but chances are I'll use it for household items).

My shoes, purses and accessories all need to be second hand too. I am super picky about those things and don't wear used shoes or worn purses but over this past year I have discovered incredible brand new shoes and purses at yard sales or thrift stores. I feel confident making those a part of my goal because my closet has enough of both to get me through 2010 even if I don't find any second hand.

I am going to get rid of a piece of clothing for each piece I bring home - I don't like excessive clutter and that goes for my wardrobe too (though looking at it right now you wouldn't know it!!)

The point of my goal is:

1. To save money

2. To 'live green.'

3. To spruce up my wardrobe (I'll show you soon - I can't afford the regular price of the clothes I am buying!)

4. Just to see if I can do it.

and finally,

5. To encourage others to look at their clothing purchases differently.

Like I said earlier, my sister is living with us and she has agreed to this challenge for the next 5 months. I took her to our thrift store a few days ago to introduce her to its treasures - she is already a thrift store lover, but she also likes to shop at the mall. I think I have converted her. We found amazing deals between the two of us - a lot of the items were brand new with tags (BNWT) and we added those up and googled the items without a price tag and the low ball value of the items we bought was $1,240! We spent $60 that day.

The dress at the top of this post was one of the treasures - it still had the original store price tag of $70 on it!

This purse was there - it is a BNWT Liz Claiborn purse and has a $29 price tag on it.

This silk sweater had a $78 price tag.

I would never pay the original price for these clothes, but I will gladly pay the $1.99-$4.99 that the Thrift Store charges!

Over the last few days I have been thinking about how this goal could be turned into something that honors God and use it as a ministry for others. I have a few ideas I am praying about and considering. I'll see how the Lord leads in that way as it would be exciting to me to share these deals with others.

*Note: Paul is extremely hard to find clothes for, even at full price, which is why I am not including his clothes in this challenge. But as much as is possible his clothes will be second hand.