I have a confession: I love thrift, consignment, and discount stores.
I love scouring the racks in search of a great find. All of the items in this photo I purchased today for $30.71. That's four nice tops I can wear for any occasion (work, social dates, church), plus two dressy pairs of shoes and a snazzy, versatile bag. Wow.
Some shoppers would pay $30.71 for one of the tops alone, but I can no longer justify paying full price for any article of clothing or accessory, knowing that I can find something comparable at a thrift, consignment, or discount store such as TJ Maxx. I have found countless name brand items, and many items with tags still attached!
What is required to make the transition from full price shopper to successful thrifter? A thrifter must understand that he/she will find way more outdated pieces than desirable ones and be patient. A successful thrifter also must accept the fact that the clothes once graced someone else's closet. Personally, this concept doesn't bother me once I run the clothes through my washing machine once. Most importantly, a thrifter must be willing to take some time to search through racks (I actually enjoy this part!). I don't recommend thrifting to those who don't already find shopping entertaining or to those who find shopping in regular stores irritating.
Where are these stores located? Believe it or not, thrift and consignment stores are everywhere. They don't always stand out as you're driving because they are usually in lower-end shopping centers or "off the beaten path" locations. However, with a little researching, you will find a plethora. Goodwill, Plato's Closet, Tuesday Morning, Value Village, and the Atlanta Union Mission Thrift Store are all within a few miles of my house, plus TJ Maxx and Marshalls, of course.
A bonus is that almost all of these stores sell more than clothes and accessories - most sell housewares, furniture, toys, books, and CDs.
As you can tell, I thoroughly enjoy shopping in these stores and enjoy my purchases for years to come. I highly recommend it to others who enjoy shopping and introducting new items into their wardrobes without busting their budgets. Happy thrifting!
awesome! I need to get better about this, I get really inpatient :) You got some great deals!
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