Staying Within Budget at Secondhand Store

**cmae** · 02-09-2009, 09:58 PM

Last week, I decided to mosey through a local thrift store. There were lots of things that caught my interest and I had decided that I would treat myself and spend the change I had saved up in the last 2 months. I don't splurge very often and it has been a loooong time since I had a "shopping spree". Well that change turned out to be $95! (It also included all the change I found in my last big clean and the partial change jar I found in the midst of moving.)

Anyway, last week as I was looking through the plethora of different things to be sorted through, I heard an anouncement saying that they would be holding a 50% off sale next Monday (the 9th...Today!)
So I put back the items I had picked out and made plans to come back.

And so I did: Today I spent 80.33 (yay!) and got (prices after half off):

Pictionary - all pieces included, will need to get new drawing pads soon $1.99
Hardcover Health Book - only few years old, great condition, sugg price 24.95 US $1.99
The Complete Parenting Book (hardcover) sugg price 21.99 US $1.99
Psychology Text (still suggested reading - not TOTALLY discredited, yet) price at College Bookstore 102.00 $1.99
Complete Idiot's Guide to Feng Shui sugg price 28.00 CDN $1.99
360-pg romance novel (haven't read one in a LONG time!) FREE!!! Buy 4 books, get one free!
2 Bernardin canning jars with new lids and screw-tops $0.24
Woven wicker-style basket (going to use for fruit = easy access for juicing) $1.49
Ceramic snowman cookie/treat jar $1.99
Fabric Santa Advent Calendar $0.99
Heavy crock-style snowman cookie jar $2.99
Glass Christmas stars and trees votive holder $0.49
2 packages random greeting cards (one had 51 in it, the other had 55)- ranging from birthdays to sympathy to get well to Happy Easter, etc. Sure some are ones I may never use ("Happy Birthday, Great-Grandpa!") but those type I'll cut up and use pieces for scrapbooking. For $1.99 each, I really won't complain!
2 cardboard heart-shaped gift boxes $0.99each. I'm going to decorate these andfill them with Valentine's Day treats to surprise stepson and stepdaughter
Silky lace-trimmed robe $3.99 - treat for Valentine's Day!!!
Wooden hanging "Happy Easter" sign $0.99
Wire tealight-holding spider decoration $0.49
Witch-face candy dish for Halloween $0.99
Plastic plant pot and drip tray $0.99
2 shirts for stepson, one button-up, one jersey-style $2.99 each
Black pleather jacket - EXCELLENT condition!!! Saw a similar one recently for $85 on sale!! I paid $3.99!!!
Black lacy-knit cardigan $1.49
Small black faux leather handbag $1.99
1 pair black Nine West square-toe pumps in excellent condition $4.99
1 pair Mary-Jane inspired black pumps with toe bow, also in excellent condition $4.99
Two "silver" trays, oval one was $0.99, rectangular one was $0.49. Thought stepdaughter could use one on her shelf to organize her perfumes and makeup - so pretty! I'm sure I can shine them up nicely.
2 cut-glass divided pickle dishes $1.99 each: Beautiful!
Vintage Sesame Street fabric (about the size of a flat double sheet) $1.99 I am planning on making these into shopping bags.
2 large white window sheers $7.49. I'm going to make these into produce bags for grocery shopping.
12'x1' green and white gingham-style thick, non-shrink fabric $0.99. I thought I would make these into placemats or maybe napkins. We'll see....
Blended green flat sheet (thick material) and 2 matching pillowcases $3.99. I'm going to make the sheet into curtains for stepson to match his bed which I painted in a camo pattern.

Whew... quite a list, I know. I think that was everything. It all cost me $80.33 and I got a membership card so that if I donate anything between tomorrow and the middle of May or for every time I buy $5 worth, I get a stamp. With 15 stamps, I can get 15% off regular price items.

Anyway - I did manage to stay under the $95 ceiling I set for myself, but it can be difficult.

Describe your greatest thrift-store haul or tell me about a time you've gotten caught up in the "deals" and blown your budget?

I need to know this isn't just me that can have this tendency!!!

**sabrelvssammy** · 02-09-2009, 10:10 PM

well this past summer i was at a st.vinc and they had the 'cherished teddies' that everyone collects...or i thought they collected...so i bought $80 worth and was going to re-sell them... (they avg $1.99 ea) and i thought they should be about $10 bucks or something and i was gonna get RICH>>>> yea right.... i started seeing them everywhere after that at flea markets and garage sales for $1....so my idea was'nt all that great after all... needless to say they are going into my garage sale this spring for $1 each....blah.......

**cmae** · 02-09-2009, 11:30 PM

Been there - found a few nice pieces ("designer inspired accessories") at wholesale prices - above-board, legal supplier! LOL! Anyway, I was thinking of maybe placing an order and setting up a table at the Farmers Market. Of course these wholesalers know my number - buy more for a lower unit price, etc, etc. Yep, I was going to get rich, too!!! The thing that stopped me was when I calculated in the shipping costs: REEEEEDICULOUS! But wait... maybe I could do it... I'll crunch... the... numbers....

I think we're just too entrepreneuial, you and I! Too smart for our own good!

Thanks for sharing

**Early Bird** · 02-10-2009, 10:10 AM

Originally Posted by cmae

Fabric Santa Advent Calendar $0.99

2 packages random greeting cards (one had 51 in it, the other had 55)- ranging from birthdays to sympathy to get well to Happy Easter, etc. Sure some are ones I may never use ("Happy Birthday, Great-Grandpa!") but those type I'll cut up and use pieces for scrapbooking. For $1.99 each, I really won't complain!

Black pleather jacket - EXCELLENT condition!!! Saw a similar one recently for $85 on sale!! I paid $3.99!!!
Black lacy-knit cardigan $1.49
Small black faux leather handbag $1.99
1 pair black Nine West square-toe pumps in excellent condition $4.99
1 pair Mary-Jane inspired black pumps with toe bow, also in excellent condition $4.99

Just wanted to say a few things:

if the Advent Calendar is Hallmark, we bought some at half-off last year -- for $15 apiece. So you did great.
Having a box of cards like that will save you time as well as money!
Choosing so many black accessories is very smart for having a pulled-together look.

**Patty A** · 02-10-2009, 10:38 AM

Way to go! I love the thrift store, and you always feel like you have saved when you can pick up such good deals. I think you need to be proud that you got such nice things, and the black accessories are always great as they are so versatile! Just what you saved on the jacket alone paid for your trip, and its sometimes just plain fun to splurge... within your budget!

**Contrary Housewife** · 02-10-2009, 11:35 AM

I've got so much junk in my house I haven't been to a thrift store in ages. I do love the yard sales in the spring, but I can't justify any more "stuff".

**RaineyDaye** · 02-10-2009, 12:51 PM

I am a thrift store / yard sale junkie. Thrift stores in my area have half price days once a month, and I've spent a lot of money at those sales and found some great deals. I haven't been thrifting for months because I'm trying hard to declutter. Even reading your thread is dangerous for me; it has made me want to head over to my favorite thrift ...

**rainbowgc** · 02-10-2009, 01:11 PM

Whoa you got some fantastic deals. WTG!

**cmae** · 02-11-2009, 12:23 AM

Thanks for all your kind, encouraging words! I hadn't been to the thrift store in a long time (other than Halloween - SD went as a GoGo Dancer!) and I am rather proud of all my finds - I used the classic black purse today!

Also, my way of justifying bringing more "stuff" into the house: while in the thrift store, I saw a lady looking at a cutlery drawer organizer which had seen better days. I went over and told her that I have one she could have for free. She was a little surprised, offered to give me something for it (which I declined). I gave her my address and she picked it up last night. I know it's not much, but at least it's a start. Someone got something they needed and it has gotten me in the mood to purge my unneeded... well... clutter!

Exciting!!!!