Category: Thrift Stores

Happy Saturday!

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How to Live Without a Car

WikiHow – How to Live Without a Car.

Creative Ways to Downsize Your Life

Downsizing your life may bring you surprising benefits including more personal time and greater happiness. There is much you can do for little money without having to live like a pauper. The following suggestions are a good start towards downsizing your life:

  • Cancel pricey appointments & services. Take time to evaluate those expensive salon visits. Pick your poison–if getting your hair done is non-negotiable then how about learning how to do the manicure and pedicure at home?
  • Ditch the dry cleaning. Get rid of clothes that need to be dry cleaned, unless they are for a special occasion.
  • Cut back on extra activities. Giving those extra activities a break for a few months not only saves money but also reduces stress.
  • Reduce social obligations. Take a look at which friends bring the most to your life and which ones drain you emotionally and financially.
  • Buy second-hand. Many items can be purchased second-hand and are just as good as getting brand new.
  • Reuse. Before you throw anything away, stop and think about how you might re-purpose it. This habit will save you money, keep clutter in check and help the environment.
  • Make gifts. A handmade gift often means more to the receiver than one bought at a store.
  • Say no. Don’t bite off more than you can chew. It will only stress you out.
  • Family time. Learn to prioritize so you can spend time with the people you love every day. Have dinner, play games, exercise, or just sit down and chat.

Halloween Decorating: Budget Tips and Save the Environment – ABC News

Halloween Decorating: Budget Tips and Save the Environment – ABC News.

Salvation Army No.6 Boutique-3240 Sports Arena Blvd-San Diego, CA 92110

Salvation Army Store No 6 & Boutique

3240 Sports Arena Blvd
San Diego, CA 92110-4528
(619) 758-1716

I walked into the Salvation Army “boutique” on Sports Arena Boulevard with low expectations and was surprised that I actually found a few cute items.  There is really no sense of order in this place so be prepared to “dig.”

I was greeted by a lot of furniture and assorted odds and ends right off the bat.  As far as furniture is concerned– most of it was old and kind of messed up.  There was a men’s section, a kids section and a section for assorted housewares/kitchenwares. There was a new kids bike that was priced at $29- someone grabbed that right in front of my eyes!

Of course, there was plenty of women’s clothing and shoes.  The clothing was a mixed bag of really weird, dirty items and a few nicer things tossed in.  Again, be prepared to dig thru the weird items and there is the occasional decent outfit to be found.  I found a skirt and top that would definitely be wearable– the top & skirt were $6.49 for each item- extremely budget friendly.

Salvation Army Store No. 6 Boutique– look what I found!

Off the Rack: LPLP Linea Pelle for Target Fall 2011 Handbags

Off the Rack: LPLP Linea Pelle for Target Fall 2011 Handbags.

How to Shop With Little or No Money


How to Shop With Little or No Money

from wikiHow

Shopping is fun. Shopping with little to no money doesn’t sound fun, but it can be!

Steps

  1. Wear comfortable shoes and easy on/off clothes the morning of your designated shopping trip(as you will be trying on things), and also do your hair and makeup like you would normally do when going out (so when you try on things you’ll look your best in them) and don’t bring your life savings.
  2. Bring the minimal money (just enough for food or gas is good) and MAYBE enough for that perfect dress. If you have no money whatsoever, eat at home, bring snacks and water, or stay home. And pack your self-control.
  3. Make a mental or physical list of stores you want to go to and things you want to buy.
  4. Go directly to the stores you want to when you get to the mall/shopping center. Pick up whatever you like and try it on. Pick up things you weren’t sure would look good on you, or things you normally think are too expensive. Choose whatever! and try it on!
  5. Try to make outfits in the fitting room or as you shop.
  6. Tell the lady in the fitting room that you didn’t like anything (or if you have a lot and are too embarrassed, leave some with her and take some with you, then as you continue to “look around” the store casually hang up the rest).
  7. Repeat those steps for the rest of the stores you want to go to.
  8. Stop for food/water at some point since you may want to rest a bit.
  9. If you have some money to spare after food, only get something if YOU NEED IT, HAVE WANTED IT FOREVER AND IT’S FINALLY ONE SALE OR IS DECENTLY PRICED OR IF IT WILL COMPLETE YOUR WARDROBE.

Tips

  • Steps 3-5 apply to shoes as well. I love shoes and a lot of the time I try on ones I like but that aren’t practical or are too expensive.
  • In addition to your usual stores, go to places you’d like to go to but never would if you had money and were shopping, whether the reason is it’s too expensive, it’s super trendy, etc. Just have fun!
  • The beauty of window shopping is that you don’t feel as restricted as you do when you are shopping with money. When you have money, you only go to your usual stores and probably buy what you’d normally buy, but this gives you more options.
  • If the window shopping feels weird or slightly depressing, just think of it as a day of exploring, finding what looks good on you, discovering new trends and stores and passing some time while filling up your need to shop.
  • If you have had a successful day at getting barely anything or nothing, run out the mall quick, ignore big red “sale” signs everywhere and “buy one get one free” and “everything must go!” and “great deals, today only!”: it’s a lie! They WILL have other sales! so get out while you still have some dignity.
  • Sometimes you’ll see a great item on sale and have just enough to buy it if you downsize lunch or skip it. DON’T DO IT. When you see that item STOP AND THINK: “do I really NEED this or do I just want it because it’s cute/on sale?” “do I already own more than one thing that will go with this?” (if there’s more than one in your size: “I’ll come back and buy it when I have more money” (if not):”I’ll put it on hold as long as possible (if possible)” (if not)”ooh let me hide it with these items” BUT if you NEED it and have been looking for this quality item for months or have been waiting for it to go on sale and have so many big outfit plans for it, get it! hopefully you have eaten already. If not, grab a snack and afterward go home!

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Shop With Little or No Money. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to remove sweat stains from your thrift store finds

Sweat spots are one of life’s unpleasantries. Luckily, there is an easy way to get rid of them.

Mix two parts white vinegar to one part hot water.  Saturate stain with this mix and let sit for a few hours.  Launder in the washing machine as usual.   This should work even for older stains that have been through the dryer.

 

 

Tips to avoid bed bugs when shopping at thrift stores

Bed bugs are back with a vengeance and they don’t care of you drive a Mercedes or a Corvette.  Bring home bed bugs and you get thousands in extermination fees, anxiety and isolation. Not to mention the stigma associated with these tiny critters.  Follow these tips to avoid infesting your belongings and your home.

What’s a Bed bug? Bed bugs are small wingless insects that feed on blood. They like human blood but will also feed off of animals.  They crawl fast and can easily hide in clothing,  furniture and boxes.

Carefully inspect the items you purchase. Pay special attention to clothing, mattresses, upholstered furniture, mirrors and picture frames.

Check corners and crevices on any furniture items for signs of bed bugs.

When in doubt GET OUT and tell the store owner.  When you get home wash everything you wore in hot water (+120 degrees) and dry in a HOT dryer.

Bring plastic Ziploc bags on your shopping expeditions– put your treasures in a sealed bag until you get home.  If you end up buying furniture be sure to inspect it carefully.

Bring on the heat– don’t take that $5 Prada jacket out of the bag until you are ready to launder it.  When you do wash use super hot water and dry on HIGH.  Of course, the dry cleaners is always another option.

The most important rule to avoiding bed bugs– NO dumpster diving!!  If the item is in a garbage can– leave it there!  Even the perfect night stand is not worth the risk of a bed bug infestation.