subject: Thrift Stores: Good Ideas In Bad Times [print this page] Shopping at thrift stores is a great way to save money during times when you have to save a little bit of money. Retail stores have all sorts of extra fees and charges build into their sales rates, so if you want to bypass all that unnecessary expenditure, all you have to do is buy things used.
It always pays to be a smart shopper, regardless of how well off or not well off you are. If you believe that only one kind of person shops at thrift places, then you should think again, because when you do a quick scan of who you see searching for bargains, you'll find people from all of the economic brackets.
Goodwill, the Salvation Army, and Buffalo Exchange are three of the major national thrift store chains, but there are plenty of local ones that serve your communities as well. Sometimes, there are actually more interesting or unique items that you can find in the smaller places, as the owners are a little more vested in their stock than managers at the larger places.
At any thrift store, you'll find lots and lots of clothes, and lesser amounts of things like housewares, music, videos, furniture, bedding, sports equipment, and music equipment, all organized into little departments. If you know how to look, you can find just about anything, and be sure to ask if there is anything in back rooms that hasn't been brought out yet.
After your first trip, you'll quickly become aware of just how much money you can save. Especially if you find things like designer clothes or brand name electronics, you can save hundreds of dollars in a single trip. Just imagine how much money you could save in a lifetime of bargain shopping at these types of places!
If you need to donate some of your things, thrift stores are a place to do that as well, and you can even potentially get a tax break if you get a receipt from the right place at the right time. Just call ahead and talk to a manager to find out exactly what you have to do to make that happen.
Local thrift stores can often help out communities with employment opportunities as well, and have programs to teach job skills to people who are down on their luck. Look for signs on windows or ask managers if any of these opportunities are available.
So regardless of your reason for visiting thrift stores there are nothing but benefits, whether you are buying, donating, or supporting your local community. So get out your local phone book, and find a place to head to the next time you get the itch to go shopping.
