With the current state of the economy, many people are cutting back on costs and searching for deals. I’ve always been thrifty, and here are some ways I’ve scored deals!
Outdoor toys
These are the best items to get pre-loved. You can get them in great condition for significantly cheaper. I recently scored a Stryker balance bike for $30! These bikes retail for $150 brand new. I came across it at our neighborhood garage sale.
Holiday decor
Many thrift stores have holiday decor year-round; this is where I get things like wreaths, cute signs, and ornaments. People frequently purge holiday decor, which means you can get brand-new items for a few dollars.
Crafts
If your thrift store has a grab bag section, look for craft kits! Often there are unopened kits. Need a fun craft for Valentine’s Day? A rainy day activity? Supplies for the classroom? Your local consignment shop is the perfect place to find crafts.
Kids clothing
Kids outgrow clothing really quickly, which means you’ll find kids clothing in perfect condition secondhand. My favorite places to shop for kids clothing are the Here We Grow Again sale at the Johnson County fairgrounds! They have everything from shoes to coats to costumes. When I shop the sale, I shop for the next season. At the spring sale, I buy all of my kids’ clothes for the summer. I’ve shopped Whale of a Sale too and found great items!
Sports equipment
If your kids play group sports and you don’t want to drop $100 on equipment they’ll outgrow in one season, secondhand is the way to go. The HWGA sale, garage sales, Play it Again Sports, Facebook Marketplace- all of these places have sporting equipment.
Tips
Here are a few tips I’ve learned along the way.
Keep a List
Keep a list of non-urgent items your children need, things like sporting equipment your children will need in a few months, or camping equipment for an upcoming trip. That way, when you’re at a garage sale and come across an item on the list, you can check it off. This habit makes consignment shopping feel less overwhelming.
Shop off-season
This is the key to finding great deals. If you think one or two seasons ahead, you’ll find the best deals. I’ve been known to buy winter coats an entire year ahead-they’ll grow into it!
Organization
Every time I’ve been to Goodwill, there are storage bins for sale. 5-gallon totes, small storage bins, organization shelves- I’ve found all of these items at Goodwill. Give them a quick wipe down with Clorox wipes, and they’re good as new!
Neighborhood Facebook Groups
If your neighborhood has a Facebook group, I recommend joining it! This is a great place to both buy and sell items. Our neighborhood has a lot of young families! I got two bags of winter items for my son; the clothes looked like they were never worn.
Being thrifty is great for the wallet; it’s good for the environment. Where are the places you shop to score deals?
