What do you spend on thrift shopping?

[Zed Simon]

I just got around to thinking about how much I must spend at thrift stores. So far this year, it has to be close to $500. That's a good chunk, but I can easily rationalize it a couple different ways:

a) That money must be doing some good for the organizations whose thrifts I buy from
b) Imagine what that stuff would have cost me new, if I could even get it new

Do you even give a thought to what you spend? If so, what are your thoughts on that money?

[Good Buddy]

a) That money must be doing some good for the organizations whose thrifts I buy from
b) Imagine what that stuff would have cost me new, if I could even get it new

c) Your purchases help keep items from being placed in landfills

I bet a thrifter saves 70%-90% off of regular retail.

[SecondhandSophisticate]

Hmmmmmmmm, interesting question, Zed. 

I tried this year to keep track of all I thrifted, how much I spent a week.  But I can go for weeks without spending a cent, and then spend $ 15-20 during one week.

So far this year, I would say about 200-300 tops.  But that's including my Pucci scarf and two Lane tables and two pieces of DeSimone pottery and my Red Wing Merrileaf plates.  To me, these objects are priceless because they are not being produced any more, are genuine vintage, will appreciate, and most of all, I love 'em. And use 'em.

Glad you opened the subject, Zed.  It ties in nicely, I think, to the  "Thrifting Bad Habits" thread. For me, if I love it and use it and it enhances my life--all aspects of it, then it is money well-spent (my personal thoughts on this shared on the "Bad Habits" thread as well.)
 
Ciao,
SeSo

 

[Big Daddy Audio]

I put down up to $1000, but that may be because I have in the past.  I've spent $300 on a pair of top-notch speakers at the Salvation Army in Scottsdale.  This year (2007) is probably down over what I've spent in the past.

That is all.

[Scott]

I just went back through my purchase records for the year, and surprisingly have spend only somewhere around $200 so far. This is WAY lower than previous years for me. Before this year, it wouldn't be out of the ordinary for my total to be in the $2000 (or higher) range.

I think I need to go shopping!

[Mattie]

I've spent less this year than in previous years, but that doesn't mean I'm not shopping!  A few months ago I won a $25 Thrift Town gift card, and last week my boss and some coworkers gave me a $20 Thrift Town card in appreciation for a project I did for them.  If I could just figure out a way to keep those gift cards coming in...

[Thrift Shop Romantic]

I don't know, probably around $500 tops. I haven't bought as many larger things-- like furniture pieces-- as I had in other years. And I put a ceiling on what I'll pay for a thrifted painting.

Plus, I've been getting quite a few things which are already on sale.

It is, however, my absolute favorite hobby. If I bought the same things at Antique Malls, it would be so, so so much more.

[Scott]

If I bought the same things at Antique Malls, it would be so, so so much more.

Amen to that! I can't even begin to imagine what I'd spend if that were the case!

[MrsGoodwill]

More than $1000. Easily. But I thrift for just about *everything*. The only things I always buy new are shoes, socks and undergarments. (although if I can find shoes in very good condition, I'll buy 'em!)

Toys, clothes, books, furniture, dishes, bits and bobs for the house -- all of it comes from thrifts!

[alexandra]

I am probably between $500 and $1000 -- but I am shopping for two!

However, if I were to add up the value of the goods I procure, I'd say if I bought all that stuff new, I'd be spending easily ten times that.

Why spend 6.99 for a paperback book when you can get a bogof for .49 cents?

Now, I do have to ask all the couples out there -- how much do you shop for your partner?  Almost all the shirts my guy owns are thrifted...by me.

Thriftily,
Alexandra
www.livingwithoutmoney.blogspot.com

[Scott]

Now, I do have to ask all the couples out there -- how much do you shop for your partner?  Almost all the shirts my guy owns are thrifted...by me.

I'd say that easily a third of what I buy lately has been specifically for my wife.

[Big Daddy Audio]

I'll echo Scott - Most things I've been actively looking for have been for my wife - The Diana Gabaldon paperbacks in a certain printing series.  I also passively look for old Girl Scout books and stuff.

That is all

[Thrift Shop Romantic]

I have a friend who gives me money so if I find something she collects when I'm thrifting, she won't miss out. It's actually come in handy a couple of times.

[librarinan]

I go almost every Sunday to Northern Thrift because that is the day that the new 50% off colors start and the old ones are still active. I see many of the same faces each week -- hopefully we are all interested in different things. I haven't been in a department store in months.
I've started keeping track and I think I spend about $30 a week. But this covers almost all my clothes (even underwear and shoes), gifts, household items and clothing I buy to refashion.
I write down items that are not yet on sale (and I have the color change schedule down) so that I can get them half off. If they are gone, well, I already have too much stuff. Occasionally I will pay full price, but usually for something very cheap.
Re. Diana Gabaldon -- love her books. Can't wait for the next one in the Outlander series -- I am reading her new Lord John Grey book. It's very good, but not as good.

[Cookie]

Welcome to our site, Librarinan!  We're glad you're here posting with us. 

I'd say Good Buddy and I spend about $700 year thrifting together.  When we were in our newlywed "nesting" phase it was probably $1000 a year because we had to amass Pyrex, kitchen gadgets, appliances, furniture, and books.  Now we really don't "need" anymore Tupperware or Pyrex or kitchen appliances, but we do still buy books and other odds and ends as they present themselves, records, videotapes, and whatnot.