29 Jun

Posted at 08:50h in How To, Looking FLY on a Dime, shopping, Thrift by
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thrift store prices, how to thrift shop
Two weeks ago I posted what may have just been my most commented on {via the blog and Facebook}, shared, liked and tweeted post. When I posed the question, "Are Thrift Store Prices Becoming Too Expensive?," you guys chimed in and the overwhelming answer was yes, the prices have increased.
Some people blamed the lagging economy {more people need to thrift so the prices are reflecting that}, others feel since some re-sell thrifted finds, the stores are upping the prices and a few people even believe bloggers like myself are responsible, since we're putting a spotlight on thrift shopping and making it "chic." 
Hmm, whatever the cause, us frugal folks aren't too happy with it. 
And Goodwill was the one thrift store in particular that everyone kept singling out. 
I've been a long time Goodwill supporter {shopping, donating and I even styled a Goodwill fashion show for disabled workers}, so I wanted to hear their side. I reached out to the New York and New Jersey branch of Goodwill to see how they determine prices and what percentage of sales are dedicated towards providing services to those in need.
Here's what they had to say....

31 May

Posted at 01:00h in shopping, Thrift by
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You've been there before. You check out a thrift store you've heard about or maybe you just randomly stumbled upon it. But after a few minutes, you walk out empty handed. Your thrifty little heart is crushed and you leave discouraged.Though I've been thrifting for about 10 years now, this still happens to me. Last year I checked out the Salvation Army on East 23rd St and walked away feeling it was the Worst. Thrift. Store. Ever. I couldn't find anything and the racks were half empty. I vowed to never go back to this whack location, but after a few months, I went back and I'm so glad I did.

24 May

Posted at 01:00h in Looking FLY on a Dime, shopping, Thrift by
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Last week I showed you part one of my San Francisco thrift shopping adventure {including a shop with vintage clothes for $10 per pound} and now it's time for part two. Towards the end of my trip I checked out the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood where about a half dozen thrift stores are all within a few blocks of one another.

My first stop was Goodwill {1700 Haight St}. Initially I was turned off by the rack of shirts where the average price was $12. Hmm, I can do better than $12 for a shirt a Goodwill. I kept it moving towards the dress rack and found two adorable dresses, $5 each...

18 May

Posted at 01:00h in shopping, Thrift by
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Earlier this week I gave you guys a look at what I wore during my San Francisco trip. But you know I couldn't venture to a new city without checking out the thrift shopping scene. Let me tell you, San Fran thrifting is amazing! I thrifted last year in L.A. but the Bay Area is by far {in my opinion} superior and more convenient. I actually had two days of secondhand shopping, but for today, let's focus on the shopping I did in the Mission. Chandra from MoMoMod suggested I check this area out and I'm glad she did.

The Mission is a pretty colorful neighborhood in its design {peep the awesome mural above} and the eccentric personalities. My first stop of the day was Thrift Town {2101 Mission St}. As soon as I walked in, I knew I was going to become BFFs with Thrift Town. It was organized and massive: two floors and pretty spread out.

19 Mar

Posted at 08:22h in How To, Looking FLY on a Dime, shopping, Thrift by
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Thrift Shopping Commandments

Every thrifter I've come across has different techniques they employ to find serious thrift store scores. There's no one way to thrift, but there are a few tips and tricks that make the experience a bit easier. I guess you could call them the Thrift Shopping Commandments. These are the rules you want to adhere to before, during and after thrifting so you can walk away a happy shopper. So without further ado, here are the 10 Thrift Shopping Commandments:

Know Where You're Going: The one question I'm constantly, constantly asked is "how do I find a good thrift store?" It's really trial and error, regardless of where you live. Though NYC has a ton of options, not all of the stores are that awesome. Trust me. Start by checking with national chains like Goodwill and Salvation Army to see if one's in your area. And I really love the site TheThriftShopper.com, where you enter your zip code to find secondhand shops near you.