Hello! As you guys have probably noticed from my outfit posts, I am an avid thrift shopper and lover of all things vintage. Whenever the opportunity to go to a thrift shop, yard sale or estate sale presents itself, I jump at it. Today, I am going to share my best thrift shopping advice with you guys. I know that I've shared some advice on how to look
"cute on a dime" in the past but never explicitly shared my thrifting tips and tricks. Enjoy!
DO
1. Go early. The early bird gets the worm! Thrift shops, yard sales and estate sales typically have the best items for sale earlier in the morning. As more and more shoppers pass through the sales, more and more items are purchased, leaving less up for grabs. Ideally, you would go to a few yard sales first (between approximately 8 and 10 AM) because yard sales start first. While driving to yard sales, you should also keep your eyes open for estate sales and visit those along the way. Lastly, you would visit a few thrift shops (the ones near me usually open around 9 or 10 AM, just check online before you head out in the morning).
2. Look for discounts. Many thrift shops have days when items cost only a dollar or items with certain colored tags are ____% off. These discounts reduce some items to practically pennies. Alright, maybe not pennies but you get my point. They make many items even more affordable.
3. Examine clothing for rips and stains. This is an absolutely crucial step when shopping second-hand!
4. Check out estate sales on Sundays. Often, merchandise is between 25% and 75% off at estate sales on Sundays.
5. Look through merchandise thoroughly. Dig to the bottom of that box, you never know what may be in there; perhaps your new favorite scarf or a gorgeous pin is hidden down there.
6. Search for yard sales before going out on Saturday morning. This can be a great time saver as you won't be driving about aimlessly on Saturday morning looking for yard sales and estate sales. Instead, look for signs as you drive about in your area throughout the week for upcoming yard sales and make note of where they are located. You can also check on sites online like Craigslist for upcoming yard sales and estate sales.
DON'T
7. (Don't) Buy something only because the price is right. If it is damaged or you don't know what you will use it for or if you will use it at all, leave it where it is. If you do purchase it, there is a good chance that it ends up at the next yard sale in which you are the host.
8. (Don't) Pay for something that costs 50 cents with a $20 bill at a yard sale. Bring change! Yard sales are a great time to get rid of your dimes, nickels and quarters because of the super low prices.
9. (Don't) Give up because you don't find something at the first yard sale/ estate sale/ thrift shop that you stop at. Who knows what you will find at the next stop?
10. (Don't) Be easily overwhelmed by the massive amount of merchandise present at the yard sales, estate sales and thrift shops. Focus on one section of the sale at a time.
11. (Don't) Rush. Thrifting takes time and patience. But the unique pieces and cheap prices definitely make it worth it.
I hope that these tips will help you on your next thrifting adventure! Any other advice that some of my frugal readers would like to offer to yard sale/ estate sale/ thrift shop newbies?
