Don’t Pass Up These Finds At The Thrift Store
Get ready to embark on a thrifting adventure with our ultimate guide to uncovering hidden gems in thrift stores. Discover valuable treasures while avoiding common knick-knacks. Whether you're a seasoned thrifter or new to the game, this guide will help you navigate the mysterious world of thrift stores and make the most of your treasure-hunting experience.
From antique lamps to childhood games, let's dive in and start uncovering those unique finds! Read on to learn what you should always be grabbing and comment if you've found one of these for yourself!
Vintage Lamps Can Be A Vibrant Accessory For Your Home
It's surprising how expensive lamps can be, but there's a cost-effective solution. Before resorting to expensive options, consider visiting a thrift store. You'll likely find unique and quirky lamps that can spark interesting conversations. The best part? The main expense will be the light bulbs, allowing you to illuminate your room without breaking the bank. Happy thrifting!
Board Games Can Be A Lucrative Investment
Thrift store hunting can be a lucrative endeavor for those seeking valuable items to resell. Games, in particular, hold potential for flipping a profit. For example, stumbling upon an original 1935 Monopoly board game for a mere $3 can turn into a significant return. Vintage Monopoly sets with specific markings or patent information can fetch anywhere from $300 to $900 on auction sites like eBay, depending on their condition. So, don't forget to keep your eyes peeled during your thrift store adventures—you never know what treasures you might uncover!
Find Your Textbooks For A Lot Cheaper
Textbooks can indeed be a significant financial burden for college students. Instead of solely relying on the campus bookstore, exploring second-hand shops can be a savvy alternative. Many students sell their used textbooks, and thrift store bookshelves may hold unexpected treasures. You might find the required texts at more affordable prices, helping you save a considerable amount of money. So, before resorting to the pricey options, give thrift stores a chance to help lighten the load on your wallet.
Baby Clothing Should Never Go Unnoticed
One minute your baby is wearing a three-to-six months garment and almost the next day they've grown a few inches and need the next size up! It's a known fact that buying baby clothing can result in financial strain. Thankfully, people have come to realize that thrift stores will take old baby clothes off your hands!
Stop going to high-end baby boutiques for your growing-like-a-sprout child. Instead, head over to your local thrift store or consignment shop. There's bound to be some cute options for a reasonable price!
Get A Good Deal On Home Gym Equipment
You know those people who spend every New Year saying they're finally going to get back in the gym and get in shape? Well, those are the same people that should stop buying expensive gym memberships because there seems to be an ongoing pattern of not using the membership.
There is a solution, though. Tell that friend to go to a thrift store and buy second-hand equipment. That way, they have the means to workout without breaking the bank when they decide to stop working out.
Thrift Stores Have Some Of The Best Halloween Costumes
It's common knowledge that retail shops such as Party City sell great Halloween costumes. The only issue is that they are ridiculously overpriced. And if you have more than one person in need of a costume, forget about it!
On the other hand, consignment shops and thrift stores have traditional costumes as well as funky, retro outfits that you are able to piece together for a unique costume. Seriously, just find a black shirt, a wig, and a Wayne's World hat for $10 and you're good to go!
Get Creative With Craft Supplies
If you love crafts or have a young one who has a lot of school assignments based around art projects, then you know the price of materials adds up fast. Colored construction paper, crayons, markers, felt, pom-poms, popsicle sticks, and even hot glue guns don't have to cost you a fortune.
Second-hand shops are known to have craft sections. So, the next time your little one comes home saying they need to build a diorama of George Washington crossing the Delaware River, you know where to go!
Prepare Yourself For The Zombie Apocolypse
Ever since the zombie fad of the 2000s, more and more people are getting prepared for the zombie apocalypse. This means buying flashlights, battery-operated radios, batteries for pretty much everything, tents, and sleeping bags.
The good news is, there is no reason to break the bank buying these emergency supplies. A majority of thrift stores will have a camping section. So, as long as all of the equipment is in working order, pick them up!
Keep An Eye Out For Valuable Vintage Clothing
When on the hunt for vintage clothing in thrift stores, remember that not everything old qualifies as vintage. To find genuine vintage garments for a style switch-up, focus on two key factors.
First, see if it's made in the U.S.A. Second, check if the article of clothing is carrying an old brand logo or has a "union" tag. If so, it's most likely vintage, and you should snatch it up!
Save Money On Gardening Supplies
Since gardening tools are meant to withstand the elements, the chances are that if you spot a shovel or plant pots at a thrift store, they're in decent shape, and you should buy them.
Depending on the quality you buy, retail gardening supplies can run up a hefty bill, especially if you're like us and like to have everything with matching handle colors! That being said, if you see gardening tools at a thrift store, check them for any obvious issue, then buy them.
Find A Wide Variety Of Baskets
Baskets are good for any occasion, but especially in the fall when you can decorate them with apples, pumpkins, and other festive gourds and squash. Single baskets don't tend to be too pricey, probably around $20, depending on where you go.
But that number will quickly skyrocket depending on how many you need. Try going to a thrift store first. They have a variety of shapes and sizes that are typically in good condition, and the price will be marked way down!
Discover Your New Favorite Book
There's nothing quite like snuggling up on the couch with a good book. And with hard copies becoming increasingly expensive, it's nice to know there's an alternative to buying novels. They may not be exactly what you're looking for, but thrift stores tend to have shelves upon shelves of used books.
The best part is that the prices are usually super low. Next time you find yourself in a thrift store, be sure to check out the books. You might find a new favorite author!
Maps And Atlases...Just In Case
Be sure to add physical maps and atlases to your list of things to look out for, while thrift store shopping. People who use hard copies of maps are few and far between, so a lot are lying around in stores.
The good news is that because the majority use digital maps, paper copies are going to resell for cheap! Take it from someone who watched The Walking Dead too many times, buy the map!
Some Coffee Mugs Are Collectors Items
If you're like a majority of people who go thrift shopping, then you walk straight past the coffee mugs. They tend to be dusty with a few chips on the lip, anyway! Well, take that mindset and throw it out the window.
Next time you're in a thrift store, browse the mug selection. There might be a gem hidden among the porcelain. Especially keep an eye out for any name brands or sports team logos, as they're collector's items.
Silver Utensils (No, Not Stainless Steel)
While sorting through the silverware section of a thrift store, keep an eye out from silver! No, not stainless steel, we're talking the real deal -- sterling silver. It's a treasure hunt, but there are times that a silver spoon or fork gets mixed up with the regular silverware.
If you have the time and patience and are able to tell the two types of utensils apart, then it's definitely worth sifting through everything.
Wooden Cutting Boards Are A Thrift Store Must Buy
If you're like us, then you're getting tired of your modern plastic cutting board not standing the test of time. The good news is that there is a solution. Thrift stores tend to have a nice selection of heavy wooden cutting boards.
Older boards often have a better quality about them, and they are also able to be restored close to their original state by using mineral oil. With the restoration, you don't have to worry about food that's previously been on the board!
Vintage Pyrex Is More Durable Than The New Stuff
Like other kitchen wares found at thrift stores, if you're lucky enough to stumble across some vintage Pyrex, buy it. Maybe it's because the vintage collection is more durable than the newer selection, or because they're more colorful, but the retro stuff is becoming increasingly popular.
Either way, you're not going to want to miss a chance to own old Pyrex dishes. Even if you don't want them taking up space in your house, collectors will surely take them off your hands for a nice price.
Beautiful Vintage Picture Frames
When you're searching through thrift store artwork, keep in mind the object surrounding the art -- the frame! There is no rule that states you much buy a picture frame because of the artwork nestled inside.
If you like the way the frame looks and have a photo you think will look nice in it, snag it! Frames at thrift stores are going to be significantly cheaper than those at their retail store counterparts.
Bicycle, Bicycle, I Want To Ride My Bicycle
Yes, you can buy bicycles at a thrift store. Genius, right? The only pro-tip we have, though, is to bring someone mechanically handy with you, just in case there is something wrong with the chain or tire frames.
Then again, those are cheap fixes and will be a lot more doable than, say, buying a bike that's brand new. If you go the thrift store route, then you'll most likely save a hundred or so dollars buying a nice bike.
High-End Clothing At A Great Price
High-end clothing brand lovers, stop going to retail stores and start frequenting consignment and thrift shops. Typically, there will be a section dedicated to specifically branded clothing, such as Free People, Flying Tomato, and Lilly Pulitzer.
If you're a fan of the former, you know that their clothing items can cost upwards to a few hundred dollars. And that's just for a sweater! Before buying off the website or in the store, check out a second-hand shop. They might have the same piece for a fraction of the price.
Wooden Furniture Because Retail Is Expensive
Never underestimate a nice second-hand piece of wooden furniture. If you see a desk, chairs, dresser, or even end tables lying around a thrift store, they are definitely worth a few minutes of your undivided attention.
It's understandable if you are iffy about buying secondhand. If you're ever unsure of how well a piece is put together, ask one of the workers if there is any dovetailing -- a joinery style that will indicate a handmade item. Quality is everything!
Lifetime Warranty Tools Are The Handyman's Loop Hole
For those who are handy and love DIY projects, you know that good tools can get a bit pricey. We're here to tell you to stop going through the Home Depot catalog and head over to a thrift store. Various thrift stores cater to home goods, such as tools.
And if you're able to find a brand that has a lifetime guarantee, snag it! Specific brands, such as Craftsman, have a no-cost replacement policy. So, if the tool you bought isn't working, return it for a free repair or new tool.
Relive Your Childhood With Your Favorite Vintage Video Games
Even though old games will go on mega-sale once the newest version is released, there are a few exceptions that you're going to want to look out for, while searching through a thrift store.
If you find yourself in the gaming section, keep an eye out for old games, especially those that were released at the end of a gaming consoles reign. For example, the last game to be released on the Nintendo 64, Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3, can be resold for up to $40 if used, and up to $90 is new!
Maternity Clothing Can Get Pricey
There is no telling how big your belly is going to get when you're pregnant. And it's safe to assume you're going to be stocking up on a lot of baby apparatus before your bundle of joy makes their way into the world. Paying for maternity clothes should be the last thing on your mind.
The good news is that a majority of thrift stores cater to maternity wear! So, instead of buying expensive clothing you'll never wear again, try perusing a thrift store first.
Cast Iron Skillets That Are Already Seasoned
Now is the time in your life where you should stop buying niche kitchen appliances like cast iron skillets. They're pricey, and unless you use that skillet every week, they're most likely gathering dust in some long-forgotten cabinet.
Instead, if you find yourself hosting fajita night, run down to a thrift store. There are typically a few cast iron skillets lying around. And the best part about them is that they've already been seasoned!
All The Hangers
If you're now in that stage of your life when your adulting, then you've probably noticed that nice hangers are expensive. We're talking about the sturdy wooden ones and the no-slip grip that is the ever fantastic velvet hanger. The problem is, who wants to spend upwards to $20 on hangers?
Thrift stores are here to save your wallet and your clothing. Typically, these stores have sections designated to hangers. So, you can buy a huge bundle of them for about a dollar or two.
T-Shirts Because You Can Never Have Enough
Although t-shirts aren't the most expensive clothing item, buying a lot of them can add up fast. And, aside from saving money, there are benefits to purchasing pre-worn shirts! For one, they might actually fit better because they've been worn and washed a few times.
You also won't have to worry about the shirt shrinking because it's most likely been dried in a machine and not hung-out. Also, there is something to be said about a unique shirt from a thrift shop that everyone asks you about!
