Thrift stores? Did you say thrift stores? Why, I LOVE thrift stores!

When I moved out here from Missouri thirteen years ago, it was to start a new life with my brand new husband.  I was so happy to find out that there are just as many thrift stores out here as there were back in Kansas City.  Being newly married and then getting pregnant and deciding to stay home and be a full time mommy meant learning to budget.  Having ready access to thrift stores helped me then and still helps me now.

I buy clothing for all of us, and I can tell you that the Salvation Army store on Lafayette Blvd has clothing for half price on Thursdays.  I know that Goodwill has their color code to show what is discounted, and you can really score some good stuff at the outlet on Route 3.  My husband knows now to make the rounds in the most efficient manner to save time and gas.  We have bought bread machines, microwaves, stereos, speakers, toys, food processors, oh the list can go on and on.  I go to the mall about once a year; one or the other of us goes to a thrift store almost every day. 

My husband has an uncanny ability to find something I need right when I need it.  Tax time is rolling around and I needed an adding machine.  "Honey, I need an adding machine."  Poof!  Next day he brings me a deluxe adding machine that would retail for about $60.  His cost?  Around $5.  "Honey, I need an air purifier for the boys' room.".  Poof!  Two days later and there it is.  I'm thinking about asking for something completely ridiculous as a test.  "Honey, I need a green slide rule in a purple vinyl case."  There's an at least 50/50 chance he'll have it inside of a week.

What, you say ew?  Ewww!  That stuff is USED!  Well, yeah, it is.  I prefer to consider that someone else has broken it in for me.  I don't mind.  I have a little spritzer of antibacterial spray and some hot soapy water.  Wash it up, it's good as new, or good enough for me to use.  Trust me, when you're adding up columns of numbers for the IRS, no one cares if the machine you are using is fresh off the shelf at Office Depot or if it's been gathering dust at the local Goodwill for a few weeks.  As long as the numbers come out right.

So, take a look around your neighborhood with fresh eyes.  In addition to the big name stores, like Goodwill and Salvation Army, there are small indendent thrift stores scattered around like pearls over the city and county.  Will you find a lot of junk there? No doubt.  Chipped mugs, yellowed t-shirts, rusty golf clubs.  But among all that are gems.  Great shirts, perfect appliances, furniture that even your mother-in-law can't complain about.  Go, shop, have fun.  Think about the money you can save.  Now think about spending that money on something else.  Yeah, that's the idea.  I'll see you at the thrift store!