Such a Deal
- Belt Tightening -
— Penny Wise —
I happened to pass by the 'Salvation Army' Thrift store and even very fancy cars were lined up around the block just to 'Bin' shop; along with huge truck trailer loads toting in varied merchandise. This gorgeous store offers everything from baskets of eye glasses to lovely furniture all cleaned and sanitized; a $500 recliner is tagged for $50 Bucks.
Vocal Village Bud just sold her house - A Million Dollars more than they paid for it just a few years before. But, Capital Gain Taxes ate most of that up, along with new 'Special' Creative-Government-Whimsical Taxes to access our holdings; not to mention the huge interest rate/cost for a replacement home in another city. She's been Bin-Bagging summer clothes for her children at the 2nd hand thrift store. Typically a department store, even as a big-box store shopper, currently off-budget.
Who me cynical? Just happened to cruise by several fast food joints. Probably the only one that's noticed that 'No-One' was in these drive through lines @ 12:00 Noon lunch time. Chicken-Sh' Filet~Jack's Box~Chocko-Chicken Loco~Kfc. And, not even a car in the parking lot at StarBucks...!
But, the sidewalks were lined with customers at the vendor umbrella stands directly in front of the Brick & Mortars'. No need for gov't regulated inspector lettered ‘A-B-C’s’ grade health signs hanging over their plastic tented window or Wage Hikes~Sur Charges~Taxes for all cash entrepreneurs or even unbreakable leases here - Ah, Progress...!
THE FINDS⏳
— Grab-or it's-Gone —
Although some of us may be fortunate enough to pay full retail for certain items; where's the fun in that? For some reason I've always enjoyed leisurely picking to find 'The Finds.' Got a pair of large twin-fans, better than good; I mean how much does a fan do anyway. I'm actually into unique lamps and bowls. Often vintage-varieties find their way into eclectic overstuffed-interesting Salvation Army stores peeked into and test-touched from aisle to aisle.
Everyone has a favorite 'Might-FIND' when out 'Schlep-Shopping' looking for the 'Golden~Nugget' or the Great-Bandit Get away 'Mona~Lisa' that may be sifted from the bottom of the assorted Bins ~ Now MoanerLisaLess ~
Used clothing is usually a no-no. But most of us like the worn-in feel with a few strategic tears in the knees that are very stylish of late being sold in retail stores; the more exposed skin and hanging threads the merrier. These stores, as a Religious organization, are exempt from charging you the 10% prevailing state tax rate on your purchases as well: 'Goodwill Stores' are a business so you would be taxed there. Though, even the size shown on clothes hangers are different coming from some countries; I couldn't even get a foreign 'Large' over my elbow.
Since retirement I have a closet full of suits-shirts. Some even with an archaic-adornment with my initials stitched onto the cuffs - these 'Outfits' were once carefully coordinated. They are now hardly used; different times. I was told that I should put them into some kind of Consignment-Store, or even sell them. Nah, I've mostly gotten my innings out of them. Besides, the 'Newbie' official 'Uniform of the Day' is currently, Tank Tops-Shorts and of course 'Huarache' sandals: No 'Clothes-Horse' market here.
In our neighborhood we once had streets lined with Antique-Rows. Shops whereby every imaginable 'period-décor' furniture was on display. From French Provincial, emphasized with busy patina gold and intricate swirls, to heavy Oak and assorted fine wood, that was our favorite. Noticing that although few of these types of specialty shops exist today, similar pieces purchased years ago are simply not affordable. I've always wondered, at what point, is the Handle ~'Antique'~ label tagged to an item? I never see that designation tagged at a thrift store to get more dough.
I had an electric blanket that was actually a cozy hand-me-down from years ago. Come-on it was only used 1/2 of the year and always just seemed to warm-up just fine, with a few minor exposed cord-repairs using black electrical tape and infrequent 'Sparks' - so it wasn't fancy. I know it is hard to fathom, but I was told that it was a 'low-voltage' 🎇 blanket; never having a clue WHAT that meant. Probably, in this case, ignorance may not have been bliss! Though now I have an abundance of Electrical-Tape on hand since 'Sparky' has been replaced.
— BargainBucketBonanzas —
I may be the only one who does this, but I don't pay much attention to replacing items that just work; don't give it much thought. Special finds can include advertised items that really do what they say they will; making things just a little easier. Most of us have purchased impulse-items (the 'Pet-Rock' hype) that land on our shelves only to end up in Good-Will carts.
Who me overreact - They even stopped complimentary Fortune Cookies @ our longtime favorite Chinese Cafe'
— Confucius ~ Cookies ~ Crumble —
Jay Kantor, Chatsworth, California
'Senior' Vocal Author - Vocal Village Community -
About the Creator
Jay Kantor
Retired: Write for "The Kids Someday"
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Comments (40)
Your detailed exploration of various experiences, from shopping at thrift stores to the changing trends in clothing and furniture, is fascinating. It's interesting to see how you appreciate the value of finding unique items and bargains in these unconventional shopping destinations. Your observations about the shifts in consumer behavior and the charm of antique pieces add depth to your narrative. Your personal anecdotes, like the electric blanket and the fortune cookies, bring a touch of humor and relatability to the story. Thank you for sharing your insightful and entertaining perspective with us.
Great and humorous piece. Congratulations on the Top Story recognition! Thanks so much also for the really nice comment you left on my poem.
Love this - and your cartoons Jay! You’ve brightened my day.
Back to say congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Loved the humor of this piece, and in particular the cartoons. Where can I get my own Mona Lisa?
Great story with a bit of humor. Thanks for the TSA plug.
Love the humor and wit in this piece❤️. Wonderful!
Bravo on TS. This is more than accurate. My friend refuses to buy her clothes anywhere else but thrift shops and she looks gorgeous in anything she wears. I work for a man who buys all his furniture at thrift stores. Next time I need anything, that's where I'm going.
Congratulations on your Top Story!!!
Congrats on your TS.
I'm also sold on thrift stores, Jay (here they call them 'charity shops.') Secretly...I can tell a LOT about the state/nature of a town by their libraries and their thrift stores. And you can definitely nab some bargains in there. Congratulations on the top story!
Congratulations 🎉
JK - you are so incredibly creative. Thrift shopping is one of my very favorite things to do. The hunt is almost as thrilling as the find. I am so glad this got a top story...rambling words shared between friends are the best
“Schlep shopping” haha. I like that! Mind if I borrow it? It’s nice to see you are a bargain hunter. You might be able to add that to your standard signature 😬 I have to admit, I go there to look through stuff from time to time. Never know when you are going to run across a hidden Rembrandt. A long time ago, I actually made money going to the thrift store. I was looking for a pair of khaki shorts for work and found 7 dollars in one of the pockets. The shorts cost 3 bucks. Do the math. Loved your wisdom and insights. And of course the humor is always a delight to read. Thanks, Mr. J-bud.
Your sketches are one of the elements that make your stories unique. As I am grubbing through my house preparing for an eventual yard sale-or-go, it brings me hope that people are shopping!
Back to say congrats on a fine and funny Top Story!
Great insights on thrifting and changing consumer habits! Even the affluent are embracing thrift stores. Your anecdotes on frugality are spot on. Thanks for sharing! And congrats on your top story🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
Dear Jay: I, too, enjoy going thrifting and seeing what I can find. I enjoy your ramblings. Sincerely, Mother
Oh, JBud, this is another gem in your repertoire of great stories that delve into what it's like to be human. I do relate to this one because I have collected all my life. We are the ultimate recyclers. There is very little in my home that is younger than 100 years, which is the magic age a thing must be to be an antique. Garage and estate sales are the best!!! I'm good, just overwhelmed with overtime work so I haven't been on Vocal much in the past few weeks. Glad I visited to find this story, though!!!
This made me laugh a few times, Jay. I've spent many a time wandering through bargain shops so this is very relatable! 😄 Great job!
Fun story and the art is great! Is it your work?😊💕 My daughter is a stick figure artist and I think it is great! Yours is a bit more advanced though! ❤️
I think my house is probably full of impulse buys, and a good quarter of my clothes are second hand. Good stuff
Love your ramblings and artwork, as ever Jay, you have me grinning through your musings.
Again, your humorous story nails it!!! Love, loved, loving Such a Deal!!!💕❤️❤️
So..... prices have gone up every year no matter what. Supply chain issues made it worse. We used to go to auctions, and they had quality stuff, but then that stopped. Idon't like the odor in many thrift stores. If it smells clean, I will look around. One time my son and daughter were with me. My son, when in gradeschool used to come home with "finds" from dumpsters, like unopened expired Frito bags. He pulled a bent, used wiry paintbrush out of a bin and held it up. "How about this?" he asked, I think it was marked $10. LOL. My friends love to hunt and dig through mountains of stuff, but I do "eyeball" aisles and usually leave. House interest rates used to be over 10%, then dropped for years, so people became spoiled. The young ones didn't know that, so they want a 3% loan, not realizing a 7.5% used to be great and maybe around awhile. Cycles, up and down. Lessons to save and invest and not spend and charge. Nice run down, Jay. These days I don't even like wandering the grocery store but love to look at Home Goods because the pretty things lift my mood.