I am passionate about getting good deals, which makes me extremely passionate about going to garage sales and visiting our local thrift stores. There is nothing that thrills me more than to get to spend an hour hunting through all of the “junk” to find that one memorable treasure to bring home with me. I have always been this way, even when we had much more money than we do now.
has always been an outlet for me and now that we are eating at home more, I am able to use our dining out allowance to score some really great thrift store finds, without busting the budget.
It is hard to explain this passion to someone who doesn’t experience it…like my husband, for example. He loves me and patiently nods as I go through each
dea
l I found, but I don’t see the passion for it although he does appreciate the things that I find that are just for him.
This weekend our parents kindly offered to watch the children for New Year’s Eve. They came and picked the kids up at one in the afternoon and we had an entire day to do whatever we wanted. Guess what I begged my husband to go and do with me? Yup, hit the local Goodwill and he wasn’t exactly jumping for joy.
He tried to be a good sport about it, but I could see that this and the craft store were not how he planned to spend the day. I told him how much fun it would be and about the people that work there, how nice it is…basically, anything to convince the poor guy that this was worth doing.
Imagine my surprise when my husband enjoyed going to Goodwill with me. He hunted through books and browsed the housewares with me. We pointed out things that we had when we were little and laughed at some of the more vintage pieces. We honestly had the best time.
When we walked out of there with two enormous bags full of goodies for only twenty bucks, he looked at me and told me he finally understood why I love to do this type of shopping. It is a cheap thrill that allows me to escape. Sometimes I might find some great deals, some days I leave with nothing. The point is, it is the thrill of the hunt and knowing that I am not blowing our budget in the process.
On this occasion, here are some of the highlights that we managed to leave with.
Two pictures for the walls in our kitchen ($1.50 each).
A vintage set of wooden dominoes (one of my favorite purchases and only $5)
A Liz Claiborne Purse (which my husband shook his head at me and told me he didn’t like it because he said I already have enough purses- $2)
A Pampered Chef apple slicer, peeler, corer with wooden stand (which I had planned on having a party just for this item because it is so pricey- $5)
12 Little Golden Books (which I am saving to give for the countdown to Christmas that I give to my son to countdown the days of December- $6)
I also left with a husband who understands my need to thrift. Now that, my friends, is PRICELESS!
l I found, but I don’t see the passion for it although he does appreciate the things that I find that are just for him.
He tried to be a good sport about it, but I could see that this and the craft store were not how he planned to spend the day. I told him how much fun it would be and about the people that work there, how nice it is…basically, anything to convince the poor guy that this was worth doing.
That’s great! Kids LOVE that apple peeler. Make sure you pick up TWO bags of apples at Aldi this week–it will be THAT fun!
My husband was unsure about thrifting when we first married, but now he’s a true convert. Thank goodness!
[Reply]
Great deals esp the apple peeler WOW!
We also went to Goodwill New Years Eve funny huh? We didnt’ have much time they were about to close no deals to share!
DH loves thrift stores and garage sales as much or more than I do!
[Reply]
You sound just like me! I go thrift shopping just to unwind. If I’m super broke, at least I can still shop at the thrift store! I often buy things to sell on Ebay. I once bought a Pottery Barn crib bumper for $2 and sold it for $16!!
[Reply]
What great finds! I have to say I have not been to Goodwill for some time. The one in Lafayette isn’t nearly as nice as in Mishawaka. I tend to buy things I really don’t need when I go just because I feel like I’m getting a good deal, but then adds to all my clutter. Wish Mike would enjoy going like your hubby now does. His mom is as frugal as they come and used to take her 3 boys all over town to garage sales and thrift stores when they were kids. To this day he strongly dislikes those places, whatever!
Love the purse. I am a sucker for purses as well, especially Liz Claiborne!
[Reply]
I have the thrill of the hunt fever too. What fun!
My last best find is a best seller book I bought for only 25 cents.
Thanks for sharing your tip. I think I need to go to y local thrift stores today!
Thanks for sharing your tip. I think I need to go to y local thrift stores today!
[Reply]