I noticed a couple weeks ago that our son was starting to ourgrow most of his hand-me-down shoes. His toes have gotten to the end of his size 5s, so I knew it was time for a trip to the thrift store. I decided to get him two pairs of size 6 shoes, as I figured that would last him until he needs a bigger size.
It only took me a few minutes to find exactly what I needed. I found a pair of Stride Rite shoes (super cool, with little surf boards all over them – my husband said he’d like a pair in his size) and a pair of Lands End shoes, both size 6, and both with almost no wear at all (no toe imprints inside, no wear showing on the soles). I also found a pair of size 6 winter boots – just in time, since we’re supposed to get a foot of snow over the next two days.
As a bonus, I came across a miniature catcher’s mitt, which my husband thought was my best score of the day. He got out his own glove and started playing a toddler version of catch with our son as soon as I got home.
All together, I spent $12. For two pairs of shoes, boots, and a mitt. I knew that Lands End and Stride Rite are good brands, but just out of curiosity I checked their websites to see what sort of a deal I got. Most of the shoes on the Stride Rite site were in the $40 – $55 range, and the Lands End shoes were about $30.
In keeping with my mission to declutter our house, I dropped off a carload of donations at the thrift store. The catcher’s mitt wasn’t on my list, but it was just too awesome to pass up.
If you’re not already shopping in thrift stores, you gotta start!
AD says
Just out of curiosity, do you shop at Goodwill or just local thrift shops? I never, ever seem to have any luck, especially not if I’m looking for something specific, like a certain size of shoe!
FrugalBabe says
AD,
I got the boots at Goodwill, and the rest of the stuff at a Savers thrift store. I pretty much only shop at large thrift stores these days, since I am trying to stick to a list of just what I need, and they tend to have a wider selection. Both stores had a ton of shoes, mostly organized by size, which made it easy.
Alissa says
Hey Frugal Babe,
I think you must have a kick-butt thrift store; I never find anything that cool. Our biggest thrift store is a Value Village, and I find it terribly overpriced. Most of what I find there I could get new on sale for the same price or less. Any secrets to share??
FrugalBabe says
Alissa,
We do have awesome thrift stores here. We had a Value Village near where we used to live, and I found it to be pretty over-priced too. If you don’t have any good thrift stores, I’d suggest Craigs List and garage sales. When I was pregnant, I found a lady on Craigs List who was selling a large bag full of maternity clothes in my size for $25. I supplemented that stash with some thrift store items, but didn’t need much else. I see ads all the time on Craigs List for people who are selling off huge amounts of baby and kid stuff for really cheap – if we didn’t have thrift stores so close by, that’s probably the route I’d take.
AD says
Thanks! I’m not into thrift stores, but I keep trying. My mom finds awesome stuff at those places and at our city-wide garage sales, so I get lazy and let her find stuff FOR me instead of getting out there myself.
She even hems or repairs stuff for me. Yes, I’m spoiled. I have got to learn to do these things!
marci @ onlinecolleges says
I love shopping at thrift stores!! I get name brand skater t-shirts for 2 bucks each! The shoes at my nearby stores aren’t a very good buy since they are usually worn out. But looks like you found some gems! And all for $12?! Awesome!