Deliberate Thrift Shopping
Some of my most popular posts on Instagram are when I share what I’ve found at Goodwill and other thrift stores. I always get a few questions about where I go, and what other tips I have, so I thought I’d put a few thoughts here on the blog, for people to reference!
Of course this is all based on my own individual experiences, and I usually go to thrift stores close to where I live; I’m sure there are some GREAT ones elsewhere in the Denver area.
Which stores do you go to?
Goodwill. I like the variety of product they carry, as well as the fact their prices are generally determined by type of product not by brand. This means a kids’ shirt is $2.99 whether it’s originally from Target or JCrew. People have mixed feelings about the organization…I’ve heard some “horror stories” but I’ve also read a lot of good press about what Goodwill does for the secondhand market worldwide. Obviously no company is without their flaws, and Goodwill has to deal with an excessive amount of donations (we’re all over-consumers!). I generally feel good about shopping secondhand, and Goodwill makes it easy to do that.
I also shop at Kid-to-Kid in Arvada when I’m looking for specific products for my kids. I do find this spot to be a bit pricey, so that’s a deterrent for me. I like a deal!
Treasure Trunk Community Thrift Store in Lakeside is one of my favorite local spots. You definitely have to be ready to dig through the products here, but you can find some real gems! I love their crafting section and they often have school supplies.
I used to shop at Arc Thrift Stores more (they have great sales - every Saturday is 50% off most items, and they also have 99 cent days!) but there isn’t one very close to where I live now, so I don’t find myself there very often.
Which Goodwill location do you like best?
All of them! Ha. I usually go to the Central Park location because it’s closest to my house. They get a lot of Target overstock there, which is good or bad, depending on your view. If I find myself over on the west side of Denver, I like to go to the Lakeside Goodwill because it’s across the street from Treasure Trunk! The Archer location on Broadway has lots of good stuff and two floors! And I’ve been to locations in the suburbs that are fantastic, too. Just go to wherever is most convenient!
What are you favorite days/times to go shopping?
I generally avoid the weekends, especially during pandemic times (but that is when they often have good sales). I find if you go early in the week, the shelves are well stocked. But mostly I just go whenever I get the chance; it’s pretty random! I personally avoid the big sale days because I don’t like crowds (especially these days), but if you are looking for a lot of clothes or big items, it could be good to check the Goodwill calendar.
How do you find such good things?
Time! It takes time and patience to comb through the racks. I usually can’t get to all sections of the store during one visit; it just takes too long. I always keep a list of things I need on my phone, and I look at my list and prioritize the things I need most, or am most hopeful to find (things I really don’t want to buy new).
When looking for clothes, I look first at the material. For myself I like 100% cotton and wool products, but my kids often need polyester clothes for outdoor school. You can look at the edges of the clothes to get a sense of the material without pulling each item off the rack.
It’s also important to see what you find, not to just be looking for specific items. If you need something very specific, you will likely be disappointed (although it feels GREAT when you get lucky!).
Do you also shop online?
Yes! For specific items or when I can’t get to a store, I like to shop on Poshmark, Kidizen, thredUp, and eBay. And Facebook groups and Marketplace of course! (If you click the links above you can get $5-$10 off your first purchase.)
Tip: people often cross-post items on Poshmark and Kidizen., but you can barter on Poshmark but not Kidizen.
Other tips?
Keep a list: As I mentioned above, keep a running list of things you think of that you need in life. Instead of ordering them immediately, wait if you can and look for them the next time you’re thrifting.
Look for quality items: fast fashion is alive and well in thrift stores. Instead of getting the shiny new thing, look for well-made items that will last awhile. But on the flip side of that spectrum, if you need something cheap, better to get it used than new!
Stock up: if there are things you use a lot (like crayons or cloth napkins), stock up when you see them at a thrift store, even if you don’t need them that moment. We don’t need to become hoarders, but if you know you’ll use something in the future, it’s worth getting it secondhand at a cheaper price.
Put a few things back: Thrift shopping plays on our impulses just like “regular” shopping. Before checking out, double check your cart to see if you really need/want everything. Maybe you don’t need that holiday decor? Or maybe you do!