Thrifty Thursday: Buying at Thrift and Consigment Stores

After last week's post about donating, I wanted to cover the other side- BUYING.  Many thrift stores are non-profit agencies that get donations from wonderful people like you.  They make their money when wonderful people shop at the stores so make sure you donate and purchase.  Do an Internet search for Thrift Stores to find some in your area and check them out!!
If you want to check out a few (both small and large) in the Northern VA area, check out some of these:

Clock Tower Thrift Store to benefit Northern VA Family Services for outreach
Joesph's Coat to benefit Bethany House for abused women
Treasure Trove to benefit INOVA Fairfax Hospital programs
Goodwill to benefit workforce development programs for disabled and disadvantaged
Salvation Army to benefit their outreach programs

Other thrift and consignment stores are for profit but still have the added benefit of being green and not buying more consumer goods.  Also, some a small businesses so you are supporting the local community and helping others to stay in business!  There are a bunch around that don't have websites because they are such a small business but make sure you keep your eyes open and try one the next time you are in the neighborhood.  Unique Thrift Store is a larger chain of stores that does have a website you can check out.

I know that this is something that I have to get better at because I would much rather not buy anything or buy from some place that I can return my items and find consistent items.  In the last three years, I don't think that I have bought much at stores that wasn't at a huge discount already.  My mom took me to the store to buy me something new for my birthday and told me that I could pick out a whole new wardrobe if I wanted.  I found a fleece jacket for $3 after clearance and coupons so you can see that I am frugal with other people's money too :)  I actually looked at the prices in the thrift store and thought they were high.  I am going to take some time and check a few places out to see what deals I can find!!  Kids clothes are something we go through all the time so saving every penny helps because they so quickly destroy clothes or grow out of them.  I have to look at the green aspect of buying already used items and still make sure that I get a great price.

I did go to the Treasure Trove in Springfield and bought a purse for my grandmother and a bag of cookie cutters (using the coupon from my son's summer reading program for $5 off $10 purchase), I only spent $5.51 with the sales that they were having.  I am hoping to search around this year after my son goes to school to find a few favorite stores to frequent and find some great bargains!!  I hope that you do to :)