Thrifty Cheapskate: Thrift Stores

Showing posts with label Thrift Stores. Show all posts

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Buying Clothing At A Thrift Store ~ Balancing Your Budget Shop Used Rather Than New

I have decided to add selling good used clothing to my eBay store. So off to the thrift store I went.
We were on a small road trip to spend time with some of the family and on the way there are 6 different thrift stores.
This is some of the tips I will share with you.
1. If they have a frequent customer card get one and remember to get it punched when shopping. This month I have received $20.00 in free merchandise at two different stores.
2. Most of the store will have a certain color tag on sale, look for clothes with that tag to save you money.
3. Be sure to check out the clothing carefully before buying. Stains , holes and it does not go into my shopping card.
4. If you are going to resell on the Internet research it is important to learn what brands are worth buying and what you should pay to make a profit. I only buy what is on sale unless it is a treasure.
I am just starting this new niche to sell on eBay and have joined a face book group to learn from those who have been doing clothing for some time. And as a bonus I am finding out about other treasures that can be found that can be worth some nice money.

Here are a few of the items I have found this last weekend.
Jesse James work shirt great condition. Ralph Lauren and last is Tommy Bahama ladies Hawaiian style blouse.

Great treasures can be found for a few dollars. Give your budget a break and check out your local thrift store to see what is waiting for you.
Thanks for stopping by. Grace

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

TIGHTWAD TUESDAY ~ THRIFT STORES AND SHARING A HAMBURGER AT A DIVE

Today is Tuesday and that means it is senior day at many of the thrift stores. After a round of errands this morning at the antique store ( stocking the shelfs with new finds from last night's auction), going to post office to mail off eBay sales and then to another auction house to pick up a check it was time to hit the thrift stores.
By this time it is after 1 and we are getting hungry. Since we were heading to a near by town to go thrifting lunch was at a real " dive " of a bar. It is a dive and they are proud to say that. This little bar was even part of drive ins, dives and diners. They have a largecheeseburger that is so huge hubby and I share it and share an order of fries. Add two sodas and lunch is $9.00 before tip. Hamburger is fresh and very tasty.
Next stop is the thrift stores. We find a total of 3 books to resell, two for hubby and one for me. The next thrift store hubby found a collectible Hallmark of 3 train cars to resell either on eBay or at the antique store.
The last thrift store gave me a vintage Samsonite traveling case for only $2.99 minus my senior discount of 20 percent. This also will be resold some where.
So we had a busy day but full of treasure hunting. Hope that your day was full of treasures also.
Thanks for stopping by.. lets keep saving together .. Grace

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Thrift Share Monday ~ Buying Books At Library Sales

This weekend was a beautiful days. Sunny but cool on Friday, Saturday was rainy but I was going back to the Library for more books so who cared.
There was Friends of the Library sale that we went to twice. The prices were fantastic and we found bag fulls of books to resell on eBay in book lots.
I bought 10 L Ron Hubbard hard covers and have them up for auction and have a bid all ready.

Hubby bid and won some great vintage books. Two are of the writings of Thomas Jefferson. These books are from the early 1800s and were compiled by Thomas Jefferson Randall who was a relative.

I love books and book sales. After owning a used bookstore for over 15 years we are in our glory as we hunt for items to resell. They could be old like the ones my hubby found or just light mysteries that I bought to resell.

I hope that your week is wonderful and that you find time to stop at used bookstore and just look at the beauty of books in print. There is nothing like the feel and smell of used books.
I know the kindle is popular and you can down load tons of books .... BUT it is not the same to a true book lover.
Earlier this week we had stopped in to a small shop and the owner is a book lover of early Americana. You could just see the JOY of the love of books as he shared some of his stories.

Thanks for stopping by.. Grace

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Estate Sales ... Searching For Treasures DISNEY FABRIC FOUND

If you have read this blog or my other blog you already know hubby and I suppliment our income by searching for items to resell.
While we mainly look for books we also will look around an estate sale or thrift store just in case some thing catches our interest.

Recently I had read about roly poly glasses by Dorothy Thorpe being featured on Mad Men and that they were desireable on eBay. I had never heard about them but that fact stuck in my head and sure enough I found 2 that look like them at a thrift store.
Now I only have two and 6 or 8 would be more desireable BUT these would be a good addition to a collection or the start of a collection. I have been trying to find out how you can tell a true Thorpe and a knock off from that time period apart.
Everyone has there own ideas so I have just listed them with Mad Men in the title and the fact that I do not know whether they are the orginial Dorthy Thorpes or not.

Another little tip I read about was vintage Disney fabric. I happened to mention this to my hubby and even if I think he does not really listen he does I guess. We went to a estate sale and in one bedroom he spotted this vintage Disney fabric and brought it to me. What a guy. I have it up for sale right now and it already has bids .. YEA.
And I finally got my vintage Barbies (good for parts or restored up for sale) I am hoping that they sell first time out.

Bottom line of this post is have fun searching, keep your eyes open and lets all share our little tips with each other of what is hot to sell.
Want to watch these items just go to my eBay link.

Thanks for stopping by... lets keep saving together.. Grace

Thursday, April 7, 2011

COOKBOOKS I FOUND THIS WEEK AT THRIFT SALES

We have been out several times this week hunting for things to resell on the Internet.
Here are some of the cookbooks I bought this week.

A Touch Of Greek .. a collection of Greek recipes 1998

one of my favorites is called Favorite Recipes of Esther Circlee First Lutheran Church Mandan North Dakato. Typed pages and then stapled with a red and white oil cloth cover.

Paula Deen's My First Cookbook

Old Pioneer Recipes by Bear Wallow books 1988

Historic Homes Kentucky Heritage Recipes 1976

I love to search for fun different cookbooks to sell and I think I found some real fun treasures. Have you found anything this week to resell.

Thanks for stopping by.. lets keep saving together.. Grace

Monday, March 28, 2011

THRIFT SHARE MONDAY BARBIE DOLL FRIENDS FOUND What DO I HAVE?

Thrift Share Monday .. time to share some of the things that I have found over the week.
We normally look for books first then we will search other areas of the thrift stores or estate sales.
Last monday I found alot of church spiral cook books. Not only are they fun to read and use but I also sell them usually on eBay on auction. Not big money makers but if I buy them right the profit margin is good. I put alot of work in my listing of these by listing all the recipes. This takes a lot of time but helps to sell them.
On Saturday we went to a church sale and hubby found a few books but I found nothing until we were about to walk out.
Sitting on one of the tables was a doll box with some dolls and hand made clothes. They wanted $30.00 for all of it. I said that was more than I wanted to spend as most of the dolls were not anything special.
As I was about to leave one of the ladies said " You can have the dolls for $1.00 each. So I grabbed 3 of them. Two are from the barbie family and the third is a male doll. I have no idea what he is and probably is nothing but for a $1.00 I brought him home.
Now I have to try to figure out exactly what I have which will take research at the library or going to barbie doll owner expert sites. At one time I had Barbie reference books but sold them years ago, now I wish I had them.
First doll is marked on her right back side Skipper 1963 Mattel Inc. Bottom right foot says Japan. So I know she is an early Skipper, not sure exactly when but research will hopefully help me. She had hair when I grabbed her but it is a wig and she has no hair. Question I have is did she come this way or did she get scalped. No matter what she is a pretty little girl, showing some wear but she has all her fingers and needs some cleaning.

My next doll is marked Midge Barbie there are dates under each name but I can not make out and marked Mattel Inc on back side rear side and on the left is the number 13. Bottom of her right foot is Japan. She has molded red hair. Her condition is not as good, her head is cracked at front and back and she is missing her pinkie finger on both sides. Her condition is used and played with and needs a cleaning also.

Now the male doll is a mystery and probably from around the same time period. At his back waist area is maker mark hard to read and copy right symbol and the date 1961. Mark looks like EEGEE.

So if I have any Barbie experts out there I would love to hear from you. I will be heading to the library one of these days to do some research before listing on eBay

I did find this Barbie site yesterday and will do more reading there and maybe even emailing her for help.
I will be sharing this at Thrift share Monday check out what others are finding and sharing.

Thanks for stopping by... Grace

Monday, March 14, 2011

Thrift Store and Estate Sale Hunting Making Extra Income

Recently I posted about needing to work more to make extra income. We went out three or four times last week to thrift stores and a couple of estate sales. Today we managed to make it to a church bookstore. There prices are reasonable more so than even some of the thrift stores in the area. One problem with them is they are open by volunteers so you can not always count on the store being open.

Tonight I posted about my finds Thrift store hunting . Stop over to read my post and then there are links to others who love to hunt for treasures. Great group of fun thrift store hunters can be found.

Have you been out thrift store/estate sale hunting lately? Thanks for stopping by... Grace

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

WORKING MORE TO MAKE MORE MONEY SETTING PRIORITIES

Are you a reseller on the Internet like I am? Do you put in the hours you know you should to make the money you want to?

I have been selling on the Internet for over 10 years and at times have made over $2,000 a month gross but could never get past that level. Lately we are lucky to make $500 gross. I have come to the conclusion that I am not prioritizing my hours like I should.

Lately I found a reseller who is putting in the hours she does because she needs to. At this time she is the main bread winner.

I read about the hours she works and realize why my income is so low. I spend to much time with busy work.

Take a peek and meet my newest inspiration Apron Thrift Girl.

This morning instead of wandering around the Internet I spent over two hours re listing books and lowering prices of books on eBay and Amazon.

Hope you all have a wonderful day.. thanks for stopping by.. and if you are a reseller I would love to hear your stories and know about your blogs on reselling.. Grace

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Frugal Thrifty Decoating Ideas For Apartment Living

one of the thrift stores we will visit today.. love the reading chairs

For most of my life I have owned a home or condo. The last few years we have been apartment dewellers. There are so many things you can not do usually when you are renting an apartment. This morning I went to swag to do a search on decorating apartments a thrifty way. I came up with this link. Frugal thrifty apartment decorating ideas
Take a moment and look through the ideas. I love the use of blue, the curtains letting in the light and the rug on top of carpet. This can be found at 10 ways to customize a rental.

Lots of fun things to look at. I have just begun to look around, but for the moment I am off to the thrift store to look for treasures.

See you later.. thanks for stopping by.. and please remember. Never under estimate the value of a small amount of money.. Grace

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

WALLET FRIENDLY WEDNESDAY.. Searching the thrift stores for treasures

Yesterday we stopped by the thrift store to see if they had any new books or what ever for us to resell on eBay or Amazon.

Not alot was found but I did find two desirable vintage cookbooks.

The first and best is " Love and Knishes How To Cook Like A Jewish Mother" by Sara Kasdan. I searched on Amazon and it was well worth the 75 cents I paid for it. I will put up for sale for around $15.00, but first I will have to try some of the recipes. The potato soup will probably be first.

The second vintage cook book was " The I Hate To Cook Book" by Peg Bracken. I will probably start around $5.00 or so and well worth once again the 75 cents I paid.

Third was a vintage Landmark book hubby found to try and sell.

Plus it was Tuesday .. senior day so I got a small discount on these prices.

I will be sharing this at

Wallet Friendly Wednesday

Friendly Wednesday

Welcome Wednesday

Where Are You Wednesday

Thanks for stopping by for Wallet Friendly Wednesday .. hope that you visit real soon.. Grace

Sunday, February 27, 2011

TIP FOR THE DAY SHOP FOR CLOTHES AT THRIFT STORES

Tip for the day.. buy new to you clothes at thrift store or yard sales..
I hate to buy clothes and pay the cost that they are asking. I do love to search the thrift stores and garage sales for new to me clothes. Recently I found a nice pair of blue jeans at the Salvation Army for just a few dollars and should I lose weight as I hope to I can recycle them at the same store.
A few years ago I bought several items at garage sales. Good clothes and wore them enjoying that I had spent only a few dollars. This summer those that I can not wear any more will go into my garage sale as long in good condition.
So next time you need a new pair of jeans check out the thrift store near you before heading to the mall. Your pocket book will thank you...
Want to find a thrift store near you just go here and search away
thanks for stopping by... lets keep saving together and please remember
Never under estimate the value of a small amount of money... Grace

Friday, February 4, 2011

Thrift Store Hunting Today Found 2 Vintage Cookbooks

Today hubby and went to one of two thrift stores in our town. We were out on an adventure looking for items to sell either on eBay or Amazon.

Pickings were slim today. All I came up with were two vintage cookbooks, one being a church spiral which are popular on eBay.

We passed on some items because they were to pricey or condition not good enough.

Secret is to keep our eyes open at all times, we never know what we will find.

We normally specialize in books but I am always on the out look for anything that I think I can sell.

When selling books it is important to watch for condition, price or rarity. This is the only way to have any success with sales on eBay and Amazon.

I love our cell phones they allow us to get on the Internet while out shopping. Gives us a head up on whether the item is a good buy.

When we are looking at books all we need to do is go to amazon and put the ISBN number in the search engine. One click and we know whether to buy or not.

Do you sell on eBay to earn extra income? Do you want to sell on the Internet?

Start by looking on eBay with things you may have in your home that you no longer want or need.

Do you have any old Barney VHS, if so check out the titles some are worth some money while others are not.

How about Weight Watchers Slow cooker cookbook. That is a popular item.

Tonight I will send up some vintage patterns that I picked up at an estate sale. A couple years ago I found an old pattern and ended up selling it for over $80.00. I have to admit it was a Ceil Chapman, but when I picked it up at an estate sale I had no idea. Boy was I in for a surprise.

If you have any stories that you want to share I would love to hear them. By sharing we can only help each other in our search to bring in more income selling on the Internet.

Want to find thrift stores in your area go here. Today I went there for the first time since we moved back to Minnesota and found there are thrift stores over in Wisconsin. No far for us to drive. Will be checking them out soon.

Thanks for stopping by... lets keep saving together... Grace

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Thrift Store Hunting For Treasures FOUND 1 Rare Cookbook

Today hubby and I went to a thrift store in Superior Wisconsin we had never visited before. Nice and clean, neat and upscale for a thrift store. Up a set of stairs is the book section. Small but neat and priced reasonably. Even had chairs to sit on. I found two treasures to resell on eBay there today.

A somewhat rare cookbook " Tough Men Don't Dice " a cookbook for men who can't cook by James Thorson. This starts out at $28.28 and goes up to a unbelievable price of $103.30. I find it so amazing the wide variety of pricing of books on the Internet.

The other item was a vintage sewing pattern from 1945. A real pretty blouse that shows us the style of clothing and hair styles over 65 years ago.

I will be putting these up for sale later this week on eBay and hope for a fast sale. Do you go thrift hunting? If so what have you found recently?

I am sharing this at Wallet Friendly Wednesday

Thanks for stopping by... lets keep saving together.. Grace

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Thrift Shopping Is An Adventure

staskym shared with me that she uses this internet site http://www.thethriftshopper.com/

I have had this site on my favorites list and used it when we lived in California and even used it when we were traveling in our motor home.

I search the thrift stores mainly to find items to sell on my ebay site http://stores.ebay.com/TurnAbout01 and on amazon and abe.

This is one way we suppliment our income since our retirement income does not cover all our basic needs.

This is one of my favorite finds recently. Hubby said why are you buying those pictures. I told him I loved them and if they don't sell we can turn our bedroom in " French Romance". He just rolls his eyes at me. The one thing we do not really need is Art work. Well I am happy to say I listed them and sold them for a nice profit.

Thift stores are a great place to change the decor of your home, find an outfit almost new and of course books and movies.

Why buy new when you can find used in wonderful shape. Of course there are things I will never buy used. But there are so many items I buy at a thrift store, garage sale or estate sale.

I love looking for ways to saving money on my groceries and eating out. Hope that I can be helping you as I help my household

Thanks For Stopping By... Lets Keep Saving Together... Grace