Last week, the wallet that I’ve had for years finally gave out. The zipper that holds it shut broke, and my options were to either get a new wallet, or to start holding my wallet shut with a rubber band. I opted for a new wallet. So for the first time since last spring, I headed to my favorite thrift store with the intention of shopping rather than donating stuff. Within about five minutes I found four wallets that I liked, and actually had a hard time deciding which one I wanted. I ended up with a beautiful new wallet without a scratch on it – it looked like it had never been used. I got it for three dollars.
I didn’t buy anything else. I didn’t even look at the clothing section. I haven’t bought any clothes since April (well, I did buy some new socks last week, as I finally had to ditch a bunch of threadbare socks that were well past their prime), and I find that I’m no longer drawn to the clothing section in the thrift store at all. I’m sure that once my current wardrobe – which is about half the size it was six months ago – starts to get worn out, I’ll have fun shopping for replacement items. But perusing the used clothing area is no longer something that I do just for fun.
I’m now on a mission to find new (to us) winter boots for our son. Last year’s pair came from a thrift store for just a few dollars, and I’m hoping to repeat that with this year’s size. I looked when I was there last week, but there weren’t any boots in his size. So I’ll check whenever I’m in town, and I’m sure that I’ll find him a pair before sledding season kicks into high gear.
Going shopping definitely works better for me if I know exactly what I’m looking for, and keep reminding myself how much I dislike clutter. My husband and son were with me at Goodwill during my wallet hunt, so we did leave with a couple other things: a Tonka helicopter and a mini version of a little red wagon. In addition, there was a plastic monkey head that our son loved, so it ended up coming home with us too, as did a red dodge ball for the back yard. Obviously my guys hung out in the toy section while I was wallet shopping…
I used to buy toys periodically at thrift stores, but since I haven’t been shopping in months, he hasn’t had many new toys lately. We did go to a neighbor’s garage sale in July and he got some stuff there, but for the most part, he’s been having fun riding his tricycle and playing in his sandbox. So I don’t mind bringing home some new toys, but I did take four old toys when we got home and put them in the donation box. Although I’m not purging stuff at the rate I was in the summer, I also don’t want clutter to start creeping back in again – and it will if we’re not careful!
Betsy Bargain says
Hello Beautiful Blogger Award Winner!
Just wanted to let you know that I’ve chosen you to receive The Beautiful Blogger Award. This award was given to me by Preeti Bhatt of Heart and Mind about a week or so ago. It’s an award that is passed from one beautiful blogger to the next, in order to share our beauty. We find inspiration, fresh ideas, and new friends when we share with one another.
There’s a little write-up about each of you that I have selected on my post. Here is the link:
http://talkthrifty.blogspot.com/2010/10/beautiful-bloggers-take-bow.html
Here something about the award details and guidelines (as it was given to me) that I am sharing with you all. It isn’t clear where the award originated, but some guidelines travel with the award …
In a blog post, thank the blogger that gave you the award.
In your post, tell your readers 7 things about yourself that they don’t already know.
You now have the opportunity to pick beautiful bloggers to pass the award to. You can choose only one or two if you wish, but up to 5. Share their link with your readers.
It’s a very busy time, and if you aren’t able to work in the post right away, perhaps you’ll get to it soon. It’s a wonderful way to share the people who most inspire you with the rest of us.
I truly enjoy your beautiful work!
I had a great time writing my post, and hope you will, too! Love your work and keep up the great work!
Betsy Bargain
http://www.talkthrifty.blogspot.com/
Springleaf says
Hi Frugal babe,
I’m a step mum, so not quite first hand expereine – but almost! When my step daughter was small (0-3 years) her mum cycled her toys really regularly – every few weeks, every time she went past the shop one would be dropped off and one added. This gave her loads of stimulation, -of new toys and experiences – very good for the development of new brains. She is now considered very advanced for her age she’s 3 and a half and people oftern think she is 5. I think part of this is due to all the new (to her) toys. So I agree with you about not having too many at any one time, but variety is the spice of life!
FrugalBabe says
Hi Springleaf, I agree that variety is the spice of life! We just choose to find it in things other than toys much of the time. We spend a lot of time outdoors, with no toys needed at all – our son is constantly exploring and finding all sorts of things to spark his imagination when we’re outside. We go on walks every day (he likes to ride his tricycle), and spend lots of time at the park, library, and just exploring the farms and neighborhoods nearby. We find that although he does like to play with his toys, he definitely prefers to be outside, running around with the dog and looking for “treasure” wherever he can find it. My parents put together a little tool pouch for him recently, with lots of kid-size, safe tools. He’s been having a blast “fixing” all sorts of things around the yard since then. I’ve found that a great way to vary his toys is to put half of them in a box in the basement and then switch them out every now and then. We do the same thing with books, and he loves to get out the ones he hasn’t seen in a while.
Molly On Money says
The house I lived in with my daughter for the first 3 years was under 700 sq ft. She was given lots of toys from good intending friends and relatives but with the limited space I stored them away and cycled them through.
My wallet just blew up! I picked it up less then a year ago new….the wallet I had before that was over 10yrs old. I was a little mifted. Partly because I had spent too much money on a wallet that lasted under a year but more because I felt it was such a waste.
My daughters came to the rescue and found me a similar wallet for $3.23. I was my birthday present and they were so proud of their thrifty purchase they had to tell me the price!
Tiffany says
Great thrift store discipline! I haven’t reached the point where I can’t look at everything, so I rarely go. I find it hard not to check out all the clothes that I wear (jeans, skirts, sweaters)…I skip things I don’t need in my daily life….because you never know when you’re going to stumble across a great find!
My mom was visiting last week and she is the BEST thrift store buddy. We visited two in two days (way more shopping for me than usual) and I found a NEW pair of snazzy nine west sandals, a pair of NEW expensive knee-high leather boots and a NEW pair of seven jeans. All for 15 bucks!
Now I’m on a mission to find picture frames to use at our upcoming wedding reception. I’m going to have to put blinders on and stick with looking for that…and possibly some more snazzy boots :)
Oh, and I don’t have kids, but I have bought way too many toys for my dog. She has a basketful and plays with the same two things. Lesson learned for when the kids come along.
Burnette says
I can totally sympathize. I just moved and our home is so organized with what we have already that I’m more conscious of what I bring and keep in the apartment.
Good job with resisting all the temptations while shopping :) You’ve got willpower made of steel!
Edie says
I love thrift stores but am now, with all the media stories out there, a little freaked out about picking up bedbugs. Have you changed any of your thrifting habits because of these little devils?
Bridgette says
I was in need of a new wallet, but at the time, I didn’t want to spend a bunch of money on one. I waited! One day at the flea market I spotted a brand new one, price tag still on it for $1.00. Yes, that’s correct a $1.00! I love my new wallet and the price tag that went along with it!
Lisa says
I keep a donation box in my closet. For most things, the rule is: “if you bring something in to the house, you put something into the box.” I periodically give away the stuff in the box. This was really hard to do when I had the “this may come in handy some day” mentality, but I have got over that by telling myself “somebody probably has a use for this right now.”