Thrift Store Bargains

Occasionally I like to stop in at the local thrift store to see what I may find. I was actually looking for play pants for my 12 year old. He is so rough on his pants that I decided to be buying his play pants from the thrift store. I made away like a bandit. I found a beautiful warm hooded Ralph Lauren coat... just my size. A couple of new T shirts for my groom a cute Disney princess sweat shirt and pants for the five year old and couple of jeans for the 12 year old. I also bought some snow suits for babies (I am donating them and the other ones I have been collecting to the Birthright home in Sidney, NY – story for another day). I also bought some Rugrat videos for the children and two stainless steel frying pans. I spent a little over 40 bucks. An hour well spent. The only problem was hauling the goodies, carrying a baby and holding two hands while trying to cross main street back to the van. Somehow we managed.

Shopping at thrifts store as far as I am concerned is adventure that I thoroughly enjoy. I know a lot of people sneer and frown at my commitment to shop there. If I had the same bounty of goodies at the mall, I’d be a couple hundred dollars in the hole. And for what purpose exactly? I detest shopping at the Mall. Too much going… the people, the lights the store. “Mallaitis” always sets in. I get completely zoned out and can’t bring myself to focus on anything. The well pressed and arranged clothes… perfect; perfection is not for me, I get nervous. I avoid new and perfect clothes, this allows me to I avoid stressing over the kids ruining their new clothes. Even if money wasn’t a factor I’d still shop at the thrift store. Where else would I find the older Cookbooks with the great recipes, or folk song music sheets for a dime a piece, discarded Wilton baking pans in the shape of bugs bunny (that cost a fortune online) or the eclectic dishes that don’t match exactly but reflect my personality. Rows and rows of ladies tops in all colors and styles, jeans already broken in, a straw hat…perfect for working in the yard. The list goes on and on.