Sep. 15, 2009
Thrift Stores...
Posted in Tightwad Tuesdays
Today is Tightwad Tuesday with Canadagirl, so I thought that I would share my recent shopping trip for winter clothing. Whether we are still here in the desert come winter, or in a snowy clime, we still need warm clothing. Many of you visit the desert during the winter months, bringing with you bathing suits, shorts, and t-shirts. You then proceed to look at the natives strangely when you see us in our sweaters, cords, and jackets. Trust me when I tell you we think *you* are the strange ones, lol. After our bodies have acclimated to 115° weather, temperatures in the mid-50's to mid-60's are chilly indeed. If you throw in some winter rain, it gets downright cold.
After taking inventory of our clothing, I realized we were seriously low on warm clothing, and headed off to the thrift store with Piper a couple of Saturdays back when they were having a 50% off everything sale. You know those shopping trips where you either have the money and can't find anything, or don't have the money and see everything you want? Well, this was the shopping trip that combined the best of both those experiences. I had the money, and we found wonderful buys.
Here are the clothes I found for me:
Here are the clothes I found for my men:
All told, I got 37 total pieces of clothing for $108. 13 of those items were sweaters, and one was a skirt. The rest were long-sleeved shirts, ranging from everyday variety to dressier pieces. Just by shopping the thrift store on their sale day, I saved $108! Assigning the following values, which I consider to be average prices, here is what I estimate I saved at retail price: long-sleeved shirt ($15) x 14= $210, sweaters ($20) x 13= $260, skirt ($15) x 1= $15. This leads to a total of $485, which I consider to be on the low side considering there are items of clothing in there with tags reading "Christian Dior," "Ralph Lauren, Chaps," and "Aeropostale." Even at that modest sum, however, I saved at least $377! There is absolutely no difference in any of these items of clothing from anything brand new I would have purchased off the rack except a washing or two. That's it.
Well, now we're good to head into the cooler months, or a snowy clime, and we won't freeze to death. Ü If you have a Tightwad tip, story, or experience to share, please do go visit Mary for more information.
Comments
Sep. 15, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by AnnieKate
What a great job you did! Now I'm all motivated to go out and buy 'new' clothes for our family.
Thank you for stopping by my blog!
Annie Kate
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Sep. 15, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by solidrock
I could not survive without thrift stores! Its where we get 90 percent of our clothes. We wait till 1/2 price days and look for coupons for the stores ( yep the thrift stores actually print out coupons in the paper for 10 percent off ect) You got some really nice clothes at great prices.
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Sep. 15, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
great for you me and my daughter love to look for the both as well
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Sep. 15, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Canadagirl
Wahoo !! You rock girl !! You did very well. I am very proud of you. [0=
Keep up the good work and keep inspiring in your frugal journey.
Blessings and ((HUGS)) my SSiC
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Sep. 15, 2009 - Great job!
Posted by deedeeuk
That was some serious bargain hunting my friend! We have some very similar taste in clothes too since I love everything on your pile and would wear them all! :o)
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Sep. 15, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by proverbsmama
Good for you! Great job!
You do the same thing I used to do after going to garage sales -- figure up what I spent, compared to what it would have cost buying it new. :-)
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Sep. 15, 2009 - Well done!
Posted by IllinoisLoriH
Very nice clothes! My dear friend, Debbie, has a shop she goes to with her daughter, and they get awesome clothing there for next to nothing. I haven't bought anything for myself in a long time, d.t. my weight gain, I'm afraid. I really wear the same things over and over again, cuz I hate to spend money on "big clothes," as I call them. I have a closet full of beautiful things I can no longer fit into. Grrrr...keep thinking I'll get the weight off, but I never do. I think I'll go to Debbie's store and buy a few skirts, at least! It's going to turn cold here soon enough...and we go much lower than the 50's, LOL!
God Bless,
Lori (aka Plans4You)
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Sep. 15, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by jenn4him
I totally love thrift store sales! My kids are trained to search for clothes with the tag of the week, which is half off, so we can get through a store pretty quickly. I usually visit several stores when I am looking for something specific. Glad to see you will keep warm this winter. :-)
Jenn
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Sep. 19, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by mojmommy
That is awesome.Great buy!!
Not that the Alabama coast is the 115 degrees of Az....I get what you mean. In the winter months, we were cold. However, the snow birds(those from the northern states) came down and were in shorts and bathing suits, crazy we thought. (we are not on the coast anymore though)
Be blessed,
Chasity
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