Goodwill not so good for me and DD

**HandyMom** · 10-04-2010, 03:03 AM

I am banning myself from Goodwill, Salv Army and all thrifts and yard sales because I have too much clutter!! There is nothing I need from those stores at the moment. Most of the clutter is stuff that was a bargain and too good to pass up or something I thought I could resell online.

I was watching the latest episode of Hoarders online and I saw how this one woman went to the Goodwill every single day and was buying not just for herself but for others and the "others" have refused to take the stuff - don't want it - and she was also hoarding cats. It turned my stomach. At the end of the story after they cleaned up her house she was STILL shopping Goodwill everyday.

I could see a little of myself in her story -- the Goodwill shopping. I know if it was closer, I would probably be in there everyday too and then there would be no where to move in my house also. I am a shopaholic and so is my DD. If there were no thrifts near me it would be a good thing because we have what we need and too much of what we don't need. It's hard to re-donate things because it's like throwing away cash and cash is not easy to come by thesedays.

I also go a little crazy at Aldi's because when they do have something I use I stock up too much because too many other times they were out of my favorites.

Do they have a Over- shoppers Anonymous?

**mamamia** · 10-04-2010, 03:48 AM

Oh yes! I am so on that page with you! After so many years of a crummy thrift shop or two in my town, we got the "mother-load" going on now. This is the 1st Saturday in about 3 months that I didn't go out, and for the same reasons as you...literally! I watched an episode of Hoarders tonight, and it made me glad, and proud I might add, that I resisted the temptation to go. Don't get me wrong, some of it I'm so happy for having. I got my oldest girl a gorgeous vanity/mirror/bench from one, and this place is SUPER danger zone, because they have a 60 day layaway. EEK! That's how I got the vanity.

So I'm a few dollars richer this week, and I'm changing my goal about making money.

I am still going to sell on line what I really think will get sold. But I think instead of spending money to try to make money, I'm just going to hold on to what I got, and let it build up. I won't give thrifts up entirely, but I'm gonna be sure that I'll only take so much money with me, and stick to maybe a once a month trip. Oh, and, I'll keep watching Hoarders to keep me in line...LOL!

Hang in there!!

Theresa

btw- i'm not so sure how much you stock up at aldi's, but as long as it's getting eaten before it expires, i can't think of that as a bad thing.

**HandyMom** · 10-04-2010, 05:16 AM

Thanks for the encouragement Theresa! The Aldi thing is making me fat because I stock up on frozen treats, they take up too much room in my little freezer above the fridge and so I feel compelled to eat twice as much as I should just to make room in the freezer for other things. I can only imagine the trouble I would be in if I did have a chest or additional freezer to fill with food. I have no control when it comes to sales and bargains.

Originally Posted by mamamia

Theresa

btw- i'm not so sure how much you stock up at aldi's, but as long as it's getting eaten before it expires, i can't think of that as a bad thing.

**mamamia** · 10-04-2010, 09:30 AM

Originally Posted by HandyMom

Thanks for the encouragement Theresa! The Aldi thing is making me fat because I stock up on frozen treats, they take up too much room in my little freezer above the fridge and so I feel compelled to eat twice as much as I should just to make room in the freezer for other things. I can only imagine the trouble I would be in if I did have a chest or additional freezer to fill with food. I have no control when it comes to sales and bargains.

Oh, ok. I can see how that can spell trouble for you. Nobody likes to gain weight.

But here's something that I do to make room in my freezers. I take the items out of the boxes, and store it in plastic bags. I cut out the cooking directions, and just keep them handy. This saves mucho room.

HTHs!

Theresa

**piney** · 10-04-2010, 10:04 AM

Thanks mamamia, for the tip about taking things out the box and saving the cooking directions i have a small chest freezer and i still don't have enough room some of the time.

**thefrug** · 10-04-2010, 10:14 AM

I go to the local Goodwill once a week. Now, don't get me wrong, I get the "urge" to go every monday and wednesdays also, but I really force myself not to go. It helps that it's a 25 min drive one way.
I usually have something that I'm looking for when I do go. Like lately, it's been winter things. I've found brand new thinsulate gloves for $1.99 and hubby found a Cabelas fleece vest to use at work $3!! Found leg warmers for .99
I'm on the lookout for some long sleeve pj tops. Doesn't have to be specifically pj tops, I have a couple of mens long sleeve t-shirts that I use. I keep an eye on the big mens section to find things to sleep in. Sweats,t-shirts,etc.

**weedaisy** · 10-04-2010, 12:01 PM

Man, I must live in the worse places ever for thrift stores (and couponing) . I have found that the prices at the ones near me are equivalent to buying something new at Target. Every so often I read these boards and go "Ooh! Thrift stores!" and check it out, and leave every time disappointed. The furniture is especially overpriced (as in I could go to Ikea and pick up the equivalent for the same price or cheaper - and the items for sale at the thrift store aren't antiques - more like Rooms to Go furniture).

Hubby tells me I'm always disappointed because I don't go on the sales days (I can't go on those days because I work).

**frugalwarrior2** · 10-04-2010, 12:20 PM

Hah, we have at least 10 such stores w/in 1/2 an hour. I used to do a route of 4-5 on a certain day. But I do watch the Hoarders show on hulu and back myself down. Plus, I have done it so much now it is not a thrill but a chore. Plus I ask myself 1 question= Where you going to put it? I envision it damaged by careless teens and animals and it helps. Plus D Ramsey has put the fear of God in me regarding how short we are on retirement from starting so late. Plus-a bed bug phobia!!

**shoiji** · 10-06-2010, 07:06 PM

I definately know what you mean. I can always find an excuse to pickup a couple of pieces of clothing at the thriftstore. Never mind the fact I have a closets, dresser, trunk brimming with clothes. And of course I can't wear them all at once. I have so many clothes I forget what I have. So yes, I have banned myself also. I now just go and window shop. I have been rationalizing the fact that I need jeans specifically for when I go to the city and work with clay. Can't use the "good" jeans I already have since they will get ruined. See how I rantionalized this. Seriously only need to buy two pairs of jeans. But that won't be until November.

**lisaflex** · 10-06-2010, 07:42 PM

i went to 50% off day today at GW...and, drumroll, for the FIRST time ever, i left without one thing!!!! omg....shocking!!!

nothing good today. sweaters and sweatshirts all picked over already. no nice gloves or boots or anything for that matter! did have a pair of justice shorts in my hand for dd, but, they may or may not fit her next spring/summer, but, after i examined them in the light, they seemed to be toooo worn and starting to "ball and pill" so, i put them back!

**HandyMom** · 10-07-2010, 07:38 AM

Originally Posted by weedaisy

Man, I must live in the worse places ever for thrift stores (and couponing) . I have found that the prices at the ones near me are equivalent to buying something new at Target.

It's funny you mentioned Target because our little network of Goodwills gets all Target merchandise that didn't move even on clearance. The stickers are all over the merchandise and the Goodwill will only discount slightly less than sticker clearance price. Also, they get broken appliance returns that they will cleverly pass off onto you and the best you can get is a store credit if you return within a week with your receipt and original price stickers still on the item/box. I bought 2 lava lamps in box for $5 each and neither one worked but the cashier didn't ring it up as a commercial item and I lost out on a refund ($10 loss) so you have to be very careful.

Don't feel bad about not being able to go on the sale days. Most of the time I have noticed that the sale days are basically to help "clean out" all the unwanted stuff that has been sitting around too long and to make room for newer stuff. So what is on sale is the already picked-over items and you aren't missing much. I avoid sale days. I also avoid the busy days such at the weekends. I would go the day before or after sale days to see what new things have been put out.

**shoiji** · 10-08-2010, 03:47 PM

In some ways I am glad I was a shopping "maniac" last year. I really did need new clothes. This year I just need to buy a couple of items if any.

**Kitten20** · 10-08-2010, 04:03 PM

What about setting a rule for yourself: nothing "new" comes in unless something "old" gets donated/tossed/etc.? That way, you aren't gaining new clutter. It will also make you think twice, about whether or not you're willing to give something up to get something "new".

**Wendy99** · 10-08-2010, 06:05 PM

Originally Posted by Kitten20

What about setting a rule for yourself: nothing "new" comes in unless something "old" gets donated/tossed/etc.? That way, you aren't gaining new clutter. It will also make you think twice, about whether or not you're willing to give something up to get something "new".

Good rule!!

**Luckybustert** · 10-09-2010, 07:34 PM

Reminds me of my mom....she would buy so much stuff from the Goodwill, and she had so much clutter, and has ended up giving most of the stuff back to them.