Thrifting Tips

Google is your best friend! This is how we plan our weekend thrifting extravaganzas. Google "thrift stores near ....", "antique mall near ....", etc. (obviously "...." is where you type where you live) Then map out a route in google maps. I do this in two tabs, one to find the places, the other to map.

Don't judge a book by it's cover. So you've googled a new thrift shop, driven there and boy oh boy does it look gross. The outside is kind of sketchy looking and you're thinking about driving away...DON'T! Some of my favorite stores didn't look so hot on the outside (or inside for that matter.) Obviously you don't want to risk your safety, we've accidentally stumbled upon some not so nice places in the city and promptly left!


Keep a list of stores you like and don't like. Jot down why or why you liked the store. This is something I regret not doing, I think about starting one all the time though. We've been to so many thrift stores all over Ohio and when revisiting an area I never can remember if we've been to a certain store and if I liked it or not.


Remember, you CAN wash it! Some of my favorite thrift scores were nasty. I mean the kind of thing that you put your sleeve over your hand to carry it to the cash register. Case in point- Once I got an old frying pan with mushrooms on it, when I found it was almost all black with grime. But after washing it off at home with bar keepers friend it looked brand new. No lie! Don't overlook something just because it's dirty.

my wonderful collection of colorful thrifted shoes!

Take your time! Slow down. You're bound to miss things if you're rushing. Don't just skim over the store either...

Look behind things! Some seasoned thrifters (myself included) hide things they want to buy but aren't a 100% sure on yet while they shop, or even to come back for on another day! You never know when that precious thing you've been hunting for is a lot closer than imagined.

I found that in a pile of clothes!

Take a (very patient) friend! I can't count the number of times Kevin has shouted "Kaylah, seriously!?" in a thrift store. This means I've missed something I would go nuts over. It's so weird, I can usually spot a deer, owl or mushroom from a mile away but sometimes I just don't see them! Don't take someone who will rush you, or whine a lot though. (like my dad! haha!).


Possibly most important- go regularly! You can't just go once, find nothing and then call it quits forever. There are some weekends where we don't find a single thing. Other weekends we find a carload full of goodies!

Go during off hours! The hardest time to shop is when there are tons of people there (for me at least). I get distracted and rush.

Ask your local stores about sales. Most Salvation Armys are 50% off on Wednesday. Unique Thrift Store is 50% off on Mondays. Sometimes Goodwill has sales where housewares are 4 for 99 cents! Find out what sales the stores near you have and get there early. There is nothing better than finding something cheap on sale!

Happy Hunting!