I had so much interest in my last post on Expert Thrifting Tips that I decided to follow up with another post that expands on the topic a bit!  I have the best tips for saving even more money at thrift stores!  You’ll probably be surprised at the everyday items for your home!

I don’t just buy designer clothes at thrift stores like Goodwill….I buy LOTS of other things for the household that save me thousands of dollars every year!  If you want to start living a more frugal or intentional lifestyle you might want to start with consuming fewer *new* items from big box retailers.

When I talk to people about about my prolific thrifting habit I often hear the following statement “I go to thrift stores all the time and I never find anything good!”.  I usually ask how often they go and they tell me “every once in awhile”.  Take it from a professional thrifter, if you want to get the good stuff you have to go at LEAST once a week every week.

 

{Thrift It When You See it, Not When You Need it}

Sometimes you can go into a thrift store and find exactly what you’re looking for.  In my experience that is the exception, not the rule.  IF you want to get serious about saving money and finding some of the things on my list below you really need to thrift on the regular.

My philosophy is to thrift it when you see it, not when you need it.  When you absolutely NEED something you HAVE to head to the big box retailers and pay full price.  When you buy at a discount BEFORE you need it, you can save a ton of money.  There are plenty of everyday items that you can purchase in advance and know you will use it down the road.

Let me give you a small thrifting example.  A few months ago I found six, brand new packages of the leg razors I use at Goodwill.  Those suckers are crazy expensive in the store ($9.99 a package at my big box store) but I was able to buy new packages for $1.99 a package!  I didn’t need any razors but thanks to Goodwill I’ve got a 1 year supply for very little.

You might be surprised to see how many brand new or barely used items end up on the shelves of Goodwill!  I’m going to give you real world examples of my finds (with picture proof) so you can see that you too can save thousands every year like me!  So let’s get to the list and start saving money!

 

{Tip 1}{Thrift for Kitchen Electronics}

Oh my heavens there are a TON of every possible plug-in kitchen gadget at Goodwill!  I attribute the sheer number to unwanted Christmas and Wedding gifts but I digress….here is a list of just a few of the brand new and barely used examples I’ve found on the shelves (and purchased):

• Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer
• Kitchen Aid Blender
• Kitchen Aid Microwave
• Cuisinart Waffle Iron
• Cuisinart Coffee Maker
• Crockpots….and I mean LOTS of Crockpots.  NEVER BUY A NEW CROCKPOT ANYWHERE BUT GOODWILL!

All of these items I’ve found were brand new in the box items!  I’ve also bought some of these items for people on my own Christmas list.  I’ve gifted them at weddings.  If that’s wrong then I don’t want to be right!

 

{Tip 2}{Thrift for Christmas Gift Packages}

Speaking of gifts, I find a TON of those pre-packaged special Christmas gift offerings you find around the holidays at big box retailers.  A few that come to mind (while thrifting recently) are the Yankee Candle sets where you get a candle and some sort of candle holder with a Christmas theme.  Or Williams & Sonoma boxes up a bunch of cookie cutters in a pretty Christmas box.

I also see a lot of Bath and Body Works Christmas gift baskets and lots of picture frames from Pottery Barn.  In any case you could keep these for yourself or gift them during the holidays!

 

{Tip 3}{Thrift for Halloween & Christmas Decorations}

You will find a ton of each of these seasonal items at Goodwill but for the most part Goodwill hordes these items until it is actually the Halloween or Christmas season.  So don’t go into Goodwill or Value Village in July expecting to find Christmas decor.

The last few years I’ve been finding great deals on LED Christmas lights from Phillips and GE.  I also find lots of really cute Department 56 items from Halloween candle holders to Christmas village pieces (which are crazy expensive to buy new…like over $100 a piece new).  Note that Target donates much of its unsold holiday merchandise to Goodwill specifically for the tax write off.

 

{Tip 4}{Thrift Halloween Costumes}

I guess I’m the only person who still keeps every, single Halloween Costume?  If you start thrifting around October 1st you will be completely inundated with every possible Halloween costume under the sun.  They have everything from full on chicken masks to skimpy nurse costumes.

You will easily be able to find a costume for your entire family on a single visit in early October.  Who wants to pay $30-$50 for a costume every year for one night out?!?!  I picked up this really nice Indian costume for next year at only $7.99!  This is another item that Goodwill hordes in the back until the actual season begins so don’t start looking for this until the season starts.  Try and get there early for the best selection…but even last minute shoppers can benefit on the day of Halloween when they mark prices down 50%!

 

{Tip 5}{Thrift for Large Rubbermaid Storage Boxes}

You will never have to buy another plastic storage box every again!  This is one item that you can find almost every thrifting trip.  I think people use these boxes for storing things they aren’t using & it’s easy to just donate the whole box of unwanted items at once.  I usually pay $2-3 bucks for storage boxes that cost anywhere from $15-$30.  That’s a huge cost savings and there is a lot of life in these major manufacturer storage boxes.

About two weeks ago I picked up a stack of NINE Rubbermade storage bins and covers for $2.99 a piece!  I’m ALWAYS in need of storage containers so it’s nice to be able to stock up at at price I’m willing to pay instead of retail.

 

{Tip 6}{Thrift for Picture Frames/Artist Canvas}

Whether you are looking to frame family photos or your kid’s priceless works of art you will find an almost endless selection of frames at thrift stores.  Try to look beyond the colors of the frames because they can be easily spray painted, hand painted, or stained with a color of your choice.

I also find a ton of artist canvas while thrifting.  Some of them are blank and others are painted on but they can easily be painted over with white paint and re-used.  This saves me a ton on some of my “experimental” artwork projects.  I’ve even attached some of my vintage grain sacks to used artist canvas for a cool display!

 

{Tip 7}{Thrift for Stamps, Arts & Crafts Supplies}

I call out stamps specifically here because I probably see those more of these than anything else in the crafting aisle.  There are a ton donated to Goodwill and it’s a fun little treasure hunt to find something cool to add to your repertoire!  There is also an abundance of fabric, scrap booking paper (and unused books) and patterns (for sewing, crochet patterns etc).  I’ve even found dress forms, pinking shears, glitter & unopened bottles of Modge Podge.

{Tip 8}{Thrift for Cast Iron Ware}

Cast iron cooking is so hot right now…you know what’s not hot? Paying full price for cast iron pots, pans and skillets.  Cast iron lasts forever and there are a wealth of articles/videos on the internet ready to teach you the quick and easy process of restoring and seasoning a cast iron piece.  New these cast iron pieces can start at $30…I don’t think I’ve ever seen one exceed $10 while thrifting.

 

{Tip 9}{Thrift for Adult Diapers & Incontinence Products}

So we don’t like thinking about this I know but if you have an aging parent in your care….you know that these products are expensive to buy.  I see a lot of brand new, unopened packages of these at thrift stores.  My guess is that there are people who are caring for aging individuals and when they pass away they are donating all of these unused items so that they can be put to good use.

 

{Tip 10}{Thrift for Books, Magazines, CDs, DVDs & Vinyl}

Every thrift store has a huge book section.  If you love to read best selling novels, perusing travel books, flipping through fancy magazines & listening to great music then make the thrift store your first stop!

I’m one of those old fashioned types who love the crackle of vinyl records…and imagine my satisfaction with paying $2-$3 per record!  I also still buy CDs.  Paying about $1-$2 on average for a CD I can upload the songs to iTunes for a fraction of what I’d have to pay for the same music through iTunes.  With the invention of music and movie streaming services it seems like everyone is getting rid of their CD’s and DVDs.  There’s an excellent selection that may surprise you.

Mr. Wonderful (husband) is an avid reader of any history book….we usually walk out of Goodwill with huge stacks of books for about $2-$3 a piece.  I don’t have much free time for reading novels.  I like to flip through fancy interior design magazines.  These magazines can run from $8-$15 at the store!  All the magazines at our local Goodwill are $.99 each.

 

{Tip 11}{Thrift for Glassware,Dishes & Mason Jars}

You never have to pay retail for glassware ever again!  There is no shortage of wine glasses, drinking glasses, pub glasses & mason jars at Goodwill.  I don’t know about you but these items are constantly breaking in my house.  Paying $10ish dollars per glass for quality stemware makes me want to barf.

I do a lot of canning and I don’t buy any jars new because you can find Ball & Kerr mason jars for $.50 a piece at Goodwill.  If something breaks I can replace it easily.  If you like to craft with mason jars and don’t want to buy a huge pack of mason jars for one small project I suggest you try to thrift it.

There is a TON of dishware, utencils, rolling pins, flatware, ovenware & pyrex.  If you are starting out in your first place you can find pretty much everything you need for your kitchen for a fraction of the cost.

Make sure you run all of this stuff through your dishwasher at a high temperature setting to fully sterilize it.

 

{Tip 12}{Thrift for Throw Pillow Inserts}

On any day of the week you can walk into Goodwill and find a huge selection of throw pillows.  It’s one of those things people tire of quickly and usually donate as opposed to recovering.  Don’t look at the design on the outside….feel the insert itself.  You can easily remove the covering and find a perfect insert underneath.  I find really nice feather pillow (and cotton) inserts that I use for throw pillows.  I like to sew my own covers but you can easily find pillow covers on Amazon (measure before ordering).  Throw pillows usually run about $3-$4 a piece at Goodwill.

 

{Tip 13}{Thrift for Cleaning Products}

I find a lot of quality barely used cleaning products at Goodwill and I think I know why.  When people move and use professional moving services….cleaning products are strictly forbidden from being placed on the truck.  Liquids can leak and cause damage to stored goods or worse catch fire.  I really like using Honest products which I’ve actually been able to find while thrifting which has me excited!

 

{BONUS Tip 14}{Thrift for all That Kid Stuff }

I’m telling you, you will NEVER have to buy new children’s clothing ever again!  The kids clothing section is jam packed with brand new clothing (tags still attached).  What you will definitely find in great supply are those cute fancy little outfits for Easter, Christmas & photos.  Seems like people buy these things for one day and donate it when kids out grow it.

I also find kids toys, games, bicycles and lots of baby equipment like bassinets, play pens, swings, high chairs & car seats.  These items are out grown quickly which explains the shear volume.  If you are pregnant or thinking about it I’d start looking now to stock up before the big day arrives.

{BONUS Tip 15}{Thrift Brand New Mattresses}

Yes, I said BRAND NEW MATTRESSES.  Goodwill, sells brand new mattresses dang cheap.  If you are starting out at your first place or you’re looking for a kids or guest room mattress be sure to make your first shopping stop at Goodwill.

 

{BONUS Tip 16}{Thrift Designer Clothing}

I saved the best for last….yes, thrifting can yield you some SERIOUSLY nice designer clothes.  I absolutely love finding quality clothing for a fraction of the cost.  I love it so much I wrote an entire article on Designer Clothing Thrift Store Hacks.  Since we’re at the end of our list I suggest that you head over there now and check out all my thrifting secrets for nabbing designer clothing.  Check out a few examples of my finds below!

I hope you enjoyed some of these thrifting insider secrets to saving thousands every year and can start implementing some of them right away.  I encourage you to at least start shopping there every week for a couple of months and see what you can find!  If you like what we do I hope you’ll consider leaving your email address below so we can keep in touch!  We’ll send you our latest posts as soon as they drop!

How I Make an Extra $1K a Month Flipping Thrift Store & Garage Sale Items

13 Pro-Tips for Hosting a Super Profitable Garage Sale for Extra Cash 

Thrift Store Hacks to Save You THOUSANDS on Designer Clothing

How to Stay Motivated During the Long Winter Months (11 Life Hacks to Feel GREAT TODAY!)

5 Clever Soda Alternatives to Make you Quit Today (I lost 5 lbs in my first month of being DIET SODA free)

Easy, No Bake Oreo Cookie Easter Truffles

Cheap|Classy Farmhouse Style Decor on Amazon

How to Make an “Envelope” Pillow Cover in 15 Minutes!

Whiskey Infused Maple Syrup Recipe

 

Don’t Forget to Pin These Thrift Hacks for Later!