Thrifting: Why I Rarely Buy New
April 1, 2025
Due to the inflated economy the past few years, rather than paying astronomical prices for brand new merchandise, selecting more budget-friendly alternatives has become increasingly popular. Whether it's home furnishings, clothing or basic commodities, a growing number of people are perusing local secondhand stores, yard sales, flea markets and consignment shops for the goods they want or need.
Besides saving beaucoup bucks (sometimes as high as 95%), there are many other perks to thrifting. Here are just a few reasons why it may be worth the while:
- Thrifting is like a real life treasure hunt: Did you know, there are people that have actually found extremely valuable items at their local secondhand store? Uncovering a diamond in the rough requires a good eye for spotting collectibles and well sought after pieces. Doing a bit of online research can help with assessments and learning what types of items and brands hold value.
- Brand new items: Oftentimes when we're dinging out our closets, we just want to scale down and get rid of the clutter. This may include clothing that has never been worn, didn't fit right, or perhaps were the wrong size, but couldn't be returned. For these reasons, it's quite common to find apparel at thrift stores and resale shops, with the original retail tags still on them.
- Vintage goods: The more antiquated the better! Since older styles always seem to cycle back around becoming chic and trendy again, secondhand stores are a treasure trove for unique, nostalgic, retro gems from the past.
- You never know what you'll find: Unlike chain stores, retail outlets or shopping malls, secondhand stores are stocked full of the widest, most diverse inventory around, with new merch arriving daily.
- Reduces waste: Thrift stores, flea markets and consignment shops give items a second chance. This helps to keep them out of landfills and as a result lowers demand for new manufacturing.
Secondhand stores are truly the ultimate one-stop shop. You can find just about anything you can think of there, from clothing to home furnishings to tools and more. Thrifting often comes down to serendipity - you just happen to be browsing the store right when new inventory hits the floor. It's always exciting to walk out with a bag full of goodness at a fraction of the cost of department stores. Thrifting has also become a lucrative side-hustle for those looking to flip items for a nice profit, which is a great option for anyone wanting to create a new income stream, without the hassle of starting a business.
In my case, I've been a penny-pinching thrifter since my kids were little and I began buying secondhand baby clothes. It was easy to find quality pieces in fantastic condition considering infants grow out of them long before they ever wear out. There is just something super fun about the hunt for great deals on premium merchandise. I both buy and sell, and with a little elbow grease, have turned many old, ugly pieces of furniture into some of my most cherished possessions. I love to read, so one of my more frequent purchases is books, which are at least 75% off the cover price. I often buy them a stack at a time! When it comes to clothing, I can't even tell you the last time I purchased brand new pants for myself. Call me a cheapskate, but I just can't make sense out of spending over $150 for a newfangled pair of jeans! I'd rather save my dollars for a fun beach getaway instead. 🌴 Priorities, baby!