Tag: thrift shopping

Grocery Shopping…. At the 99cents Store?

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Sunday grocery shopping at the 99 cents store??

Usually I do my grocery shopping at the local Ralph’s or Vons or Trader Joe’s… you know, what we think of as the “normal” grocery stores, right?  I had no idea how great my neighborhood 99 cents store could be! I was out and about running errands early Sunday morning and decided to check out this 99 cents store and see if it really was more than cheap cleaning supplies and paper towels.

As you can see, I found a huge bottle of soy sauce for 99 cents– or you can get the name brand version in a smaller container. Same price 99 cents.

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Two heads of lettuce, you guessed it 99 cents. I was surprised to find the produce section was clean, well stocked and good quality stuff. And, can you ever really get tired of the easy pricing???

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And, my favorites– the cleaning supplies. Lots of them!

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Bread, bagels, hamburger buns– all 99 cents.  I checked all expiration dates and looking good. No outdated food here.

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I needed a few extra Halloween goodies for my niece. Guess what? I found some cute glow in the dark necklaces to wear trick-or-treating priced 2/99 cents. Awesome!

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Moral of the story…. you can score big for under $10 grocery shopping at the 99 cents store!  Cheers!

Upcycling. Reuse and Recycle

I love the idea of Upcycling things. I found this awesome blog post and felt it was so awesome I just had to share with my own readers. I’m a big believer in “trash to treasure” in furniture– and life in general. You never know when you’ll find that diamond in the rough, right? Cheers everyone and keep me posted if you have any good Upcycling stories! –Jody

thrift shopper for peace

My tagline says “reuse, refresh, rethink, repeat.” Upcycling, I believe, is a great example of reusing, refreshing and rethinking. Today’s Vancouver Sun has an article titled “Upcycling hits the home show”, all about a number of designers who were challenged to find an item at a Habitat for Humanity ReStore and upcycle it to something else. The challenge also raises funds for Habitat for Humanity, which makes it even cooler.

Some of the projects are quite unique – like Tazim Damji’s clever use of an old police stretcher, which she turned into a carry all with pockets for magazines, pencils and pens, etc. that leans against a wall. I don’t like the way it looks but it’s an awesome example of creative thinking.

I also did NOT like what Maria Killam did to a gorgeous, hardwood end table that looked like it was in great shape. She painted it…

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Sunday Grocery Shopping. At the 99cents Store?

20121012-205116.jpg

Sunday grocery shopping at the 99 cents store??

Usually I do my grocery shopping at the local Ralph’s or Vons or Trader Joe’s… you know, what we think of as the “normal” grocery stores, right?  I had no idea how great my neighborhood 99 cents store could be! I was out and about running errands early Sunday morning and decided to check out this 99 cents store and see if it really was more than cheap cleaning supplies and paper towels.

As you can see, I found a huge bottle of soy sauce for 99 cents– or you can get the name brand version in a smaller container. Same price 99 cents.

20121012-205132.jpg

Two heads of lettuce, you guessed it 99 cents. I was surprised to find the produce section was clean, well stocked and good quality stuff. And, can you ever really get tired of the easy pricing???

20121012-205143.jpg

And, my favorites– the cleaning supplies. Lots of them!

20121012-205202.jpg

Bread, bagels, hamburger buns– all 99 cents.  I checked all expiration dates and looking good. No outdated food here.

20121012-205221.jpg

I needed a few extra Halloween goodies for my niece. Guess what? I found some cute glow in the dark necklaces to wear trick-or-treating priced 2/99 cents. Awesome!

20121012-205236.jpg

Moral of the story…. you can score big for under $10 grocery shopping at the 99 cents store!  Cheers!

Make Your Own Granola for $1.50

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Good morning everyone and Happy Saturday!  I love granola with my yogurt and decided it was time to make my own simple version at home. Here’s the recipe I used:

Peanut Butter Granola

  • 2 tbsp creamy peanut butter
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup oats

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray cookie sheet with olive oil. Combine peanut butter and honey in a bowl and microwave 20 seconds until peanut butter melts. Stir.  Mix cinnamon and vanilla into peanut butter and honey mixture.  Add oats and stir until coated. Spread on cookie sheet and bake 7 to 8 minutes.  Let cool until granola is crunchy.

I’m thinking this homemade granola could be sparked up a bit next time with some flax seeds, peanuts, raisins or other dried fruit.  (Whatever is on sale works for me!)

The good news- this was not a total failure.  My granola experiment turned out great! And it even tasted good– better than the store-bought version and in this case I know exactly what ingredients were used.  I’ve been making a big effort to watch my sodium and sugar intake– not to mention those other weird “ingredients” that are scary big words I can’t pronounce.

Speaking of ingredients…. I spent a whopping $0.28 on the oats and $3.99 buying a new jar of honey.  The rest of the stuff is basically pantry items normally on hand.  My estimation is that I spent approximately $1.50 on this batch of Peanut Butter Granola.  Paired with my store brand yogurt for $0.50  this makes for quite a thrifty breakfast.

Cheers!

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Thrift Trader. Everything $5.99 or 4/$20

Once again, I found myself rummaging thru stacks and racks of stuff at the Thrift Trader in Ocean Beach. This all happened the same afternoon sipping my Vanilla Latte.

You can’t go wrong at this place with things priced 4/$20.  They have a great selection of men’s clothing and I totally messed up and didn’t take any photos of menswear.

  • Thrift Trader
  • 4879 Newport Avenue
  • Ocean Beach, CA  92107
  • Phone: (619) 222-5011
  • Web: www.thrifttrader.org

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More hats, more long skirts.  All easy items to mix and match for Fall season.  Sometimes you need a little retail fix and getting a low cost treasure in a thrift store is awesome. Just remember, it isn’t a good deal if you don’t use it and it sits in your closet!!

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And I found these really fabulous black heels.  Halloween costume-worthy maybe?

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And, a big shout out because there’s even a section for the Curvy gals. With cute stuff too!

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Cheers everyone!

My Secret Thrifting Tips

Ever wonder why every time you go thrifting, you end up with a big pile of novelty items and some mom jeans? Check out my secret tips on finding your next major thrifting score.

1. Context:   It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the hideousness that engulfs the racks- you know, like the muumuus, Christmas sweaters and stretched out bicycle shorts. In a hurry to sift through it all, you might accidentally skip over your new favorite piece so try to make a day for thrifting when no one is waiting for you and you can take your time.  That crazy ’80s sweater could look hip with an edgy haircut and designer ankle boots.

2. Consider Alterations:    Don’t abandon the perfect vintage cocktail dress only because it’s a size too big. Maybe you love the color and cut of that blouse, but the sleeves are overwhelmingly puffy? For the $3 you’re probably spending, it could be worth it to visit a tailor.

3. Shop Off-Season:    Think ahead and shop for summer items in winter. You’ll find the best deals and have a better selection. Winter coats are plentiful and purchased for pennies in August. The same would go for vintage sun dresses during January.

4. Find Your Local Thrift Outlet:    Most well-established thrift store “chains” like Goodwill and Salvation Army will have outlets.  This is the magical land where all clothes are $1-$3. The ladies at the Goodwill Outlet told me their clothes only get one week at full-price store racks before they get bundled up and shipped to the outlet. My favorites include Thrift Trader and $2 Thrill— you know where I’m going with this….

5. Wear Your “Thrifting Uniform”:    Be prepared for long fitting room lines (or possibly no fitting rooms) by wearing something that is comfy and easy to try things on over. I like leggings and slip-on flats. Throw a flexible sewing tape in your bag for taking measurements if you are so inclined.

6. Don’t Confine Yourself to only the Women’s Clothing Section:   For petites, check out the kids section for a shrunken blazer look or possibly a dress you can wear as a top. Maybe head over to the men’s section where you can find oversized cardigans or a colorful necktie.  Make a necktie headband.

7. Gravitate Toward Thrift Shops That Are Off the Beaten Path:   Look for thrift stores near ritzy retirement communities and small suburban towns.  This is your best chance to find a hidden gem.

8. Get a Rapport Going With Your Cashier:   Most thrift stores don’t have a set-in-stone pricing structure.  Striking up a conversation with the cashier can’t hurt, especially if you visit on a regular basis. If the employees get to know you, they may be willing to set aside that elusive Kate Spade tote you’ve been on the hunt for.


9. Go Thrifting Off-Hours:    If you don’t thrift on a regularly, you’re just asking to miss out on stuff. Thrift stores get new stock daily, so be vigilant. Better yet, find out which days the “new” merchandise gets put out. Arrive early and be ready for the hunt.

Cheers Everyone & Happy Thrifting! Let me know how you all are doing.   -jody-

UCP Thrift Store – Pacific Beach

Fashion without limits for all people on a budget! I was thrilled when I stepped into the United Cerebral Palsy Thrift Store in the Pacific Beach neighborhood of San Diego.  Boots, jeans, cute shoes, jackets galore and awesome dresses.  They also had a decent selection of kitchenwares and miscellaneous household items.  Of course, this is one of those places where the fun is in the thrill of the hunt.

United Cerebral Palsy Thrift Store

1454 Garnet Avenue

San Diego, CA  92109

Phone: (858) 490-6400

www.ucpsd.org

Looking good and helping people is always a good combination.  United Cerebral Palsy is one of the largest and most efficient health charities in America.  Their affiliates in San Diego County spend approximately 85% of total income on community programs and services.

It’s a sure thing I will stop by this place again– there is plenty of selection and the store is clean and well-organized.  Happy Shopping!  Below are some photos I took of different  items I found while shopping at the UCP Thrift Store.

Thrifting 101: How to find the best clothes | MNN – Mother Nature Network

Thrifting 101: How to find the best clothes | MNN – Mother Nature Network.

Check out this cool article. Good reading on a Friday afternoon!  As you all know, I love my thrift shopping.

How to Spend $10 for What You Wear Every Day

How to Spend $10 for What You Wear Every Day

from wikiHow – The How to Manual That You Can Edit

The average woman spends $2000 a year on clothes.  Here’s how you can spend less and dress better than the average woman.

Steps

  1. Check on the Internet for the current designs, the colors and the look for the year 2011. This information will help you to know what to buy.
  2. Think thrifty. Most thrift stores have new clothes on their racks. They get new clothes that are donated by well known stores. These donations are tax write offs for the stores and give savvy thrift store buyers the opportunity to BUY NEW for pennies on the dollar. If you know the current styles and colors you will be able to buy a fashionable outfit, including shoes for around $10. Visit the thrift stores regularly as merchandise can change daily.
  3. Color matching of skirts and tops may be a problem. This may be the reason the clothes were given to the thrift store. The styles are current but the colors are hard to match. If you cannot find a top in a matching color you can always use a basic black top.
  4. Prefer the plain to the fancy. If the shirt or blouse is fancy you should match it with a plain skirt or pants. If the skirt or pant is fancy you should pair it with a plain blouse or shirt.
  5. Learn about fabrics so you can buy quality. Examine the garment labels carefully. They will tell you what the garment is made of and how to care for it. You may find a great bargain such as a blouse made of 100% silk or a 100% cashmere sweater.
  6. One of the advantages of shopping at thrift stores is that you are recycling. Not only that, you are helping people who need work. Many stores hire disabled people or others who need employment.
  7. Don’t shop by the size on the tag only. If it looks like it will fit, try it on if possible. If it’s a great bargain, buy it anyway. Many times it can be altered by a seamstress for a low price.
  8. Shop on the sale days at your thrift store. Many stores have senior discount days, tag color sale days, 50% discount sale days or other bargain days which allow you to save even more.

Tips

  • Choose one of the colors in a pattern garment to match. If the top has a pattern, choose one of the colors in it to go with a bottom in that color.
  • The hot styles in 2011 are Bohemia, the vintage and retro look of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, Sophisticated Glamour, wedge shoes, flat shoes and boots. The thrift store is the perfect place to look for retro clothes. Look on the Internet for the colors that are hot for the season.
  • Beauty on the outside attracts the eye. Beauty on the inside is more important. Be kind to others, be trustworthy, be loving and concerned about others needs and their welfare and you will be truly beautiful. The heart of a woman is more important than the clothes on her back.
  • The median income for a family of 4 is $46,326, $67,348 for a dual income family, and a high income family has an income of $118,200. The high income family is only about 17% of the population. That means that spending $5000 per year for clothing is out of reach for much of the population.

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual.  All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.