{Thrifty} Retail Therapy

I recently read that just thinking about buying things gives a person the same chemical high as *actually* buying things. But for me, I get a feeling of dread when I pay full price for something. It’s when I score a bargain that I get that high! And I know I’m not alone, judging from the amount of blogs out there with photos of that day’s booty (booty, as in treasure. Not, you know). Of course, a bargain isn’t a bargain if it’s something you don’t need, but when you get an amazing price on something you can use (or give as a gift, or donate to a charity)– well, I’d consider that a SCORE!

Hence my love for thrift shops. This love was born out of necessity when I lived alone and had a meager teaching income. I’d troll the thrift shops for things that I could transform with a can of spray paint. After awhile, I realized I was finding true steals… like an entire set of Wedgewood china for $17. The same set was selling for $450 on eBay. Talk about your find of the year!

I don’t get to them often, but when I do I’m in bargain heaven. Except sometimes I find outrageous prices on things (hello, $2500 for a knock-off entertainment center? are you joking?) but typically I find a gem or two. Today’s quest didn’t score any huge deals, but I was happy with my “booty”:

two Christmas plates to give away full of cookies in December: $2
three smaller Christmas plates, also for gifts of goodies/ cookies: $1.50
vintage mirror for my Etsy shop: $3
Children’s Place sweater (12 M): $2.99
Cherokee cardigan (24 M): $2.99
baby Keds: $2

Grand total? $14.50, MINUS 25% because I had a coupon! (yes, a coupon for a thrift store). That makes it $11! That’s a pretty good score, right? I was happy to walk away with things I will use, give, or sell for about $10. I’ll hopefully make at least that back on the mirror, once I fix it up and sell it!

You can find other thrifty finds over at Southern Hospitality’s weekly thrift round-up!

Is anyone else a thrifter? Show me what you got! Link to your blog posts about it, or just go ahead and brag in the comments. You deserve it.

Meet Carrie Higgins

Dreamer, thinker, + lemon squeezer; you'll usually find me clutching a mug of coffee, glue gun, fandeck of paint colors, and a child at any given time. This mom of two (and wife to one) loves to share freshly squeezed ideas for home and family. Join the adventure as we learn most lemons can indeed become lemonade-- with generous amounts of sweetness, perspective, and love.