Top 5 Thrifting Tips

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I have been thrifting and shopping second hand for years and think it's the easiest and most fun activity around. I know that's not the case for everyone, though, so I thought it would be helpful to put together a list of my top five tips to make your next thrift trip the most successful it can be.

The one thing I want to call out before I share these tips is that every person's thrifting experience will be different each time they go. We are all looking for different things, see things in different ways, and have different levels of commitment. With these tips, though, I think your trips to the thrift store will be more positive, so you'll be more likely to go again...and again...and again.

This isn't necessarily a tip for inside the thrift store, but it's so helpful overall if you are thrifting and buying things on the regular. (It is also a tip I need to remind myself of. I am very guilty of having a pile ready to donate, but letting it sit for months-on-end.) I have found so many amazing things at the thrift store over the years, to the point that my house has grown quite full at different times.

Depending on how often you go and the goals you have for thrifting, it is easy to amass a lot of things. I don't know about you, but as much as I love all my vintage goodies and treasures from the thrift store, I don't want my house to feel full or out of control. Taking donations each time you thrift will help things to not get out of hand. I make sure I donate first, before I even let myself go into the thrift store, so then it's like a little treat for doing my "chore".

Going to the thrift store often should actually be my number one tip, but I just really want to reaffirm for you (and myself) that keeping our things in check by donating is so important! I don't want to be encouraging any hoarders around here. But seriously, when I get asked how I find so much good stuff at the thrift store, all I can say is that you have to go often to get the treasures. That doesn't mean that you have to spend hours there or pour over every rack and shelf (I certainly don't do that). You do have to go with regularity, possibly at different times and on different days.

This practice will also help you to train your "thrifting eyes" to see what you're looking for. It's amazing to me how I'm able to see different items at different times, depending on what I've been looking for specifically. I'm often led by social media or trends I'm taking in...and that can translate to pieces I see at the thrift store.

I cannot stress this one enough!! I think I've had a thrifting WISHLIST as long as I've been able to add things to notes on my phone. The list ebbs and flows, depending on whether or not I have a specific project I'm working on, but it is ever-present. I also have things on my list for other people, whether it be gifts or things that friends and family have asked me to keep an eye out for. You can be as organized (or not) with your list as you want...just be sure to make one! 

The one suggestion I have for making a thrifting wishlist is that you get as specific as you can. Include measurements that you might need, items you already have (great in the case of books, games, items in a series you're looking for), and pictures/color samples to help guide your decisions. I have been without some of these specifics lately and had to leave things behind because I didn't want to make the wrong choice. Part of thrifting with intention is learning to become more discerning...even if that means missing out on something amazing.

I know a lot of times when people think of thrifting, their mind goes only to home decor. While I can fully attest to the ample amount of decorative items at the thrift store (and by all means buy them), you can also find just about anything else you need (other than food...hopefully) by thrifting. This is where your wishlist will come in handy, if for no other reason than to remind you to look for said useful items. Also, in order to have the most success in finding useful items at the thrift store, you will need to be going often and looking, often in the off-season, for things you'll need later on in the year. If you're looking for season-specific items, it's usually too late once you need them. Some thrift stores do hold on to certain items until closer to the season, but still be on the lookout, as you never know what you'll find.

I am always on the lookout for great clothes at the thrift. I know that's maybe not considered too interesting to most, but a lot of people don't even bother with it. There is honestly so much goodness to be found! A few other "useful" items I shop secondhand for are: organizing bins/baskets, paper goods/greeting cards/wrapping paper/office supplies, gardening tools, kitchen tools, extension cords/surge protectors.

There are so many more useful things to look for at the thrift store, other than just decorative items. What you look for will depend on what you need and use. I hope my list helps you to think about what your household or lifestyle could use, so you can be on the lookout for them as well!

*A reminder that everything can be CLEANED! 

Do not, and I repeat, do not only go through the thrift store one time. Even if you're on a time crunch, make one last pass through your favorite aisles to see if anything else has been put out or if you missed something the first time around. Very much related to this tip is to look behind and below. To find the good stuff when you're thrifting, you're going to have to do some digging. Look through the piles, search the backs of the shelves, and bend down to see what's on that bottom shelf.

I am always amazed what my eyes can miss sometimes, even though I really do take my time when I'm looking at the thrift store. I can get distracted sometimes, though, by other shoppers or my phone and pass by something really great. Taking that second pass through will help you find what you've missed! 

*Want to learn even more about thrifting and shopping secondhand? My THRIFTING GUIDE is a great next step!*

I know there are so many other great thrifting tips out there, but I wanted to keep my list short and sweet for you...so it's really doable! If you have some tips of your own, I would love to hear them! Share to your stories and tag me on INSTAGRAM so I can see!