When my husband and I got married, he was a student and graduate assistant, and I had a part-time retail job. I think it goes without saying that our budget was tight. Since then, the Lord has truly blessed us, and we are in a much better place, but with inflating prices, we still do our best to be frugal. Living on one income, combined with my love of vintage items, I do a lot of my shopping at thrift stores. That is why we have written today’s post- to share three tips for successful thrifting so you can find the perfect pieces for your home and wardrobe.
Today’s post is in collaboration with my good friend, Jude, from Tulip Girl Thrifts. Jude is a wife, mother, Christian, and small business owner. Her business, Tulip Girl Thrifts is an online vintage store that spans across multiple platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and eBay to find the best thrifted pieces for your home and wardrobe. If you’re looking to spice up your wardrobe, you can click here to purchase a personally curated package of a wide variety of items. Simply click ‘Start Shopping’, choose your package, and add you preferences and sizes. You’ll receive your package right to your door, and I know you’ll love every piece.
Three Tips For Successful Thrifting from Tulip Girl Thrifts
- Consistency is Key– Go often, and don’t give up if you don’t find what you’re looking for. Some days you may get an entire cart full, and somedays you may walk out empty-handed. Hundreds of items are donated to that one store every day, so you never know what you’ll find from one day to the next.
- Be Kind to the Employees– Some thrift store allow you to shop on the fresh racks (the ones they are currently stocking the store with) and some don’t. Always be kind and respectful, and generally, that respectfulness will be returned to you. I’ve had employees hand me things that they though I would be interested in before putting them out because I’ve gotten to know them over weeks/months of visiting the store. Not that you are acting in kindness to get something in return, but you’d be surprised how far generosity can go.
- Make a List– Some people have told me that they get overwhelmed while thrifting because the stores are so full of things and can often be unorganized. I suggest making a list, even if it isn’t very specific, just to have a general ide of what you’re looking for. This will help avoid buying items that you’ll just end up donating again. Sometimes we buy things on impulse, whether at a chain store or a thrift shop, and we end up never using it. So try to stick to what you went for, but allow room for exceptions to that rule.
Items I Love to Thrift as a Homemaker
- Fabric– One of the first places I look in any store is the linens/blankets section. While some people have major opinions on repurposing quilts, blankets, and tablecloths, these items, at their base level, are just fabric. Some pieces I find in this section end up being used for their intended purpose, but sometimes, curtains become a dress. You can also consider any other fabric item to be usable for sewing projects. One of my favorite projects is to make an apron from a men’s shirt. You can find that tutorial here.
- Kitchen Items– Pots and pans, silverware, and dishes can get pretty expensive if you purchase them brand new, so I love to find these items at the thrift store if I can. Of course, check the quality of these items, because you will be cooking in them and eating off of them, but I have definitely found great deals on solid kitchen items
- Home Décor– I’m not much of a knick-knack person, but I do still like to check this section. I love décor pieces that are also functional. Things like baskets, planters, and picture frames are great ways to add some style to your home without creating to much clutter. If you take some time to look at the wall art, you can sometimes find beautiful work for extremely low prices.
- Furniture– I always like to take a quick peek at the furniture pieces available. Sometimes I have something specific in mind, but other times, it’s simply out of curiosity. I’ll admit I do have a little bit of a problem when it comes to furniture, but the Lord regularly tests my self-control in this area.
- Clothing– I mostly check the dresses section, but I also look for plain tee shirts for my husband to work in. One benefit of learning to sew simple things is that if I find a dress that is the next size up, I can always bring it home and alter it where needed. people are donating dresses to thrift stores constantly, so there are always plenty of great options.
Share Your Thrift Finds
I hope this post has encouraged you to consider regular thrifting as a way to sustainably add beauty to your home and your wardrobe! If you’ve never thrifted before, I know it can seem overwhelming, but with these three tips for successful thrifting and what to look for, I guarantee you’ll find something you love.
If you’re a seasoned thrifter, we’d love to know your own tips and tricks. Share your most recent or your favorite finds with us. Leave us a comment here or tag us on social media. Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook to keep up with the daily happenings and get more great tips on homemaking and homesteading.
Until Next Time,
Rebekah
