Smart
By Shel SilversteinMy dad gave me one dollar bill
'Cause I'm his smartest son,
And I swapped it for two shiny quarters
'Cause two is more than one!
And then I took the quarters
And traded them to Lou
For three dimes -- I guess he didn't know
That three is more than two!
Just then, along came old blind Bates
And just 'cause he can't see
He gave me four nickels for my three dimes,
And four is more than three!
And then I took the nickels to Hiram Coombs
Down at the seed-feed store,
And the fool gave me five pennies for them,
And five is more than four!
And then I went and showed my dad,
And he got red in the cheeks
And closed his eyes and shook his head --
Too proud of me to speak!
Thrifting for clothes has been around for a long time. Still, it’s having a moment right now because of the increase of sustainability efforts, particularly in response to fashion’s reputation as a major polluter. Thrift stores are having a moment. For a good reason, a rising number of people are giving used objects a second chance at life. Not only may exceptional quality clothing be obtained at unbelievable discounts, but shopping secondhand keeps still-wearable garments out of landfills.
If you plan to visit several thrift stores, develop a list and plot out your itinerary ahead of time, as thrift stores are frequently packed together. You won’t miss any in the same region this way, and you’ll be able to estimate how much time you’ll need. Keep track of the finest secondhand stores for future reference once you’ve established a list. Knowing what you want to find will give you direction, but leave room for chance. Thrifting clothes might feel like looking for a needle in a haystack, so it’s important to know what you’re looking for in the first place.
Before or after a huge thrift store, go through your closet and donate anything you no longer wear. Consider it frugal karma, and keep the cycle continuing. Consignment retailers provide cash or money to spend in-store when you trade in higher-quality things. There are several apps or websites available these days that do anything from map out the top second-hand stores in your region to digital marketplaces where you can buy and sell. It might be useful for looking up retailers in a new place, getting an idea of the costs on specific things, or simply for inspiration.
To keep on budget, bring cash with you when you go thrift shopping. While it’s tempting to fall into the ‘but it’s so inexpensive’ trap, remember to stay true to your ideals. Purchase only the clothing you require that complement your existing wardrobe.