Goodwill Hunting (Or, My New Favorite Store)

     I recently asked another mom where she found her daughter's cute clothes.  She laughed and replied that she finds most of them at Goodwill.  I should have known!

     Have you shopped there lately?

     I became a Goodwill fan when I started redecorating my family room. I could hardly believe the nice things I found!

     Anyways, I had pretty much stuck to the home goods and furniture sections of the store.  It wasn't until a friend joined me on my shopping trip that I ventured into the clothing section.  I'm so glad I did.  Children's clothes are less than $3 an item.  How can you beat that?  Sure, you could shop garage sales on certain mornings or consignment sales on certain days, but you can't beat the convenience of thrift store shopping.  In order to make the most of it, I'm going to share a few things I've learned.

     1.  Shop often.  Items are added all day, everyday.  Just because you didn't find anything one day doesn't mean you won't find something the next time you shop.

     2.  Keep an open mind.  You will find items that are stained, torn or missing buttons.   Don't give up.  A great find might be just a few hangers away.

     3. Keep your expectations low.  If you need a specific item, you might consider shopping elsewhere.  This is especially true if you're looking for a basic item such as white t-shirts and even plain kids jeans.  Basic items are things kids wear all the time and tend to wear out before they can find their way to thrift stores.  You might luck out and find what you need, but you'll likely find it's much easier to shop for basic clothing needs at your nearest supercenter or other discount store. 

     4.  Be picky.  Unless your children truly have nothing to wear, take your time finding the best.  Why settle when just a few more minutes of sifting through the racks will get you a nearly new brand-name item?

     5.  Have fun.  Go shopping with a friend.  The endless racks of minimally organized clothes can be a bit overwhelming. Chatting with a friend while hunting for treasures is much more enjoyable.

      Do you shop at thrift stores?  If so, what tips do you have?