Just call an intervention for me now. I am officially (okay, I'll admit I have been for a LONG time) addicted to thrift store shopping. Now lets add to the list freecycle and craigslist...not to mention ebay and items on the side of the road. Well, who doesn't look at the items set to the curb. Aren't you ever DRAWN to the quaint chair...until you notice it is missing 2 legs. I am always on the look out for things to be used for little.
I know you've heard me mention America's Thrift Store, but have you ever gone and perused your local Goodwill? They are miracle workers-the items there are generally great for great prices. Of course you have to look past the dust, smeared substances and other minor blemishes. Get a coffee table for $15. Get a mattress for $20. It can't be beat. With a little paint and elbow grease, you can have a fully decorated home for the cost of one original item.
I clothe all my beasties and borrow the beasties' and beastettes' needs of my sisters to feed my addiction. It is amazing to me how anyone could NOT be in love with the hunt and thrill of finding GAP, Gymboree and Children's Place clothes for a few dollars or less. Our Goodwills (yes, that is plural...I have 3 in my area) offer 1-24 month clothes for a dollar. That is it. $1. They offer 2t-16 for $1.50. Amazing, isn't it! It doesn't matter if it is Faded Glory or Ralph Lauren (and yes, I have purchased a few). I am full of thrilling glee-almost like I beat the brand-name system. I am a shopping rebel...yes, it makes me grin secretly. I am able to dress my children handsomely and aide my sisters in dressing their children darlingly (I must get a girl fix somewhere-it wouldn't do at all for me to have bags of frills and pinks just sitting around...Kit would have an epoleptic fit!) for often only 10% of the original cost. Fabulous!
I have recently found the joy of freecycle. Have you heard? There are people willing to give items away for FREE. Yes, free. You need only pick it up! The bliss of the thrift store without the actual cost. Yes, I'm giggling as I type. The only thing keeping me from becoming like the people I watch on Clean House (Style network) is I am ruthless about de-cluttering my own domain. Poor Kit doesn't know what hits him somedays he gets home. Walmart bags of toys, books, 12 t-shirts Kit thinks he needs to keep to "mow the lawn and work on the car". Ready to be deposited in the Goodwill bin...yes, frequently I find my non-wanted items on the shelves.
Well, maybe hold off on the intervention...I have spring and summer coming up and my boys need a new wardrobe...
12 comments:
I completely agree and do use all the same places (craigslist, freecycle, ebay, goodwill) and they are fabulous!!! Good for you!
OH MY GOSH. You watch "Clean House"?!?!?! We have cheap cable and that's the one cable-like channel we get, and I LOVE that show! Brian absolutely hates it, and he's going to die when he finds out you watch it too. He swears I'm the only one that likes it!
We actually got a pink Christmas tree off someone's curb after Christmas for L to decorate next year-we just need a new stand. Dirk just brought home a desk chair from NEXT to (not in, he made sure to establish) the dumpster by his office. $200 chair missing 1 caster. Thank goodness for rich people not willing to use a screwdriver.
I, for one am very grateful for your addiction...wouldn't that make me an enabler??? Shhhh, I won't tell of you don't. ;)
I love the great deals that you find. It is fantastic! In fact, my daughter is wearing an outfit right now thanks to Auntie Lib and her addiction.
I share your addiction, but I have HAD to slow down a bit because our house would explode with cute clothes.
I'm right there with you Liberty. Although, I don't have as much time to go to the stores as I use to, but I too get a thrill from a good bargain. I will have to check out free cycle now. I'm weird, but I'm always a bit leary/scared to go to a home of someone I don't know.
I also have to say that you are great at thrift store shopping, you have a gift of finding those things that you can turn into treasures. I'm jealous and wish I had that talent.
Again, I LOVE thrift stores, if I won a million dollars today, you would still see me "thrifting" and I'm not kidding! Love your post.
I'm w/steph-yay! for enabling and yay! for America's Thrift. Spencer likes to tease me that I don't come out ahead much monetarily b/c of the cost of traveling to Alabama vs money saved at Tanger and ATS, but what does he know? My kids are dressed much cuter (and MUCH cheaper) b/c your addicted, so if that makes me an enabler, than I'm a-ok w/it.
You're too funny Lib! How about you add me and Pearl to your list of bargin hunting? I hate shopping, even when you get a good deal.
So, I just had to come back for a second laugh. This is seriously one of my very favorite of your posts. I can just hear you in my head when I read it. Not to mention I'm a big thrift shopper like you, so I find myself nodding my head the entire time while reading it. Thanks for the laugh!
ps-while Scarlett does look a bit like Georgia in the movie, it's actually misleading. Nope, she just looks like a dark, girly baby Ezra. Only the old man version :P
I LOVE finding a much-needed item for next-to-nothing. I am so glad that you are reasonable about finances. It's soooooo sad to see families who are chained by over-the-top and unnecessary spending. Kudos to you! Keep up the good work!
ahem.
I believe this post is getting a little stale and needs to be stashed away and replaced by a much fresher version.
thank you.
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