Tips for Thrift Shopping

1. Research local stores and sale dates.

To start, find out more information about your local thrift stores. Typically, there is more than one around where you live. I know I have at least five in a 20 mile radius of my house. And with each store, come unique sales. Explore which stores have better deals than others, or when each store has sales. My favorite local thrift shop releases a calendar mapping out their sales, and makes sale shopping rather easy. If your second hand store doesn't do this, ask an employee to inform you of future sales and write them down.

2. Visit multiple stores.

Don't just stick to one store, explore them all! Some stores receive better supply than others, meaning not all stores are equal. Sometimes, it depends on the neighborhood they are located in, other times it's the amount of costumers visit. Of course, every time you want to visit a thrift store, you don't have to visit them all, but it's helpful to know which has the best items, or your most desired items.

3. Visit frequently.

Typically, new items are added to the display everyday. And to prevent missing out on all the goods, try visiting frequently. I suggest not going everyday, but maybe every weekend (which is my usual routine). The variety of thrift items is broad as is, but become larger everyday. So. my suggestion is visit enough to build your closet with amazing thrift deals.

4. Reserve time to shop.

Never rush a trip to the thrift store, as you want to be able to discover every possibility. By reserving time to shop, you will be able to explore everything and not feel as if someone is watching down your neck. Now, that you don't feel rushed, have a good time sifting through every rack.

5. Check all the racks.

And with your reserved time, make sure you search through all the racks. It may seem ridiculous searching in racks that are labeled as your size, or not labeled in your preferred style. Though, trust me on this. Sometimes sizes may get mixed up, or styles are interchanged. Exploring all the racks, gives you endless possibilities. Personally, the way my thrift store groups men and women's clothing usually goes by t-shirts typically are in the men's section, and sparklier and more 'feminine' clothing is placed in the women's section. The only part I do not venture to is the children's clothing. Looking through every rack may give you a higher chance of finding the diamond you want.

6. Shop with an open mind.

Keep your mind open when shopping. You are most likely going to run into multiple items that aren't your taste, but remember that's why shopping at different stores is helpful. I used to go to thrift stores with my specific taste in mind, but today, about two years later, my style has developed into a completely different type. Now, I am able to shop and find many more items. Having an open mind when you shop at thrift stores, gives you an ability to see the potential in so many more items.

7. Try not to visit at the end of a sale.

This, I believe, is pretty self-explanatory. Shopping at the end of sales means the majority of the good deals are gone, and you will likely be stuck paying more for an item.

8. Don't get discouraged.

If you find little to nothing in one trip to the thrift store, don't get down on yourself. It is possible that a store didn't get a good supply, or was holding back items for a different sale. However, if you try all these tips, it's likely that discouragement will become rare.

So, that's all the tips I have. Eight tips that have proven themselves successful in my three years of thrift experience. I hope this was helpful, HAPPY THRIFTING!