As someone who has been a “Pro Thrifter” for more than 30 years, I want to share 10 secret tips to show you how to thrift like a pro.
Tip #1 – Shop during the week
Monday – Wednesday are, in my opinion, the best days to thrift because there is usually less traffic in the store and a lot of thrift stores get most of their donations between Friday – Sunday, which means those items are usually stocked over the weekend.
Tip #2 – Keep a blanket or towel in the car
Oftentimes I pick up fragile items that don’t always get wrapped securely at the store so I always carry a blanket or towel in my car to give an extra layer of protection for the ride home.
Tip #3 – Dress Appropriately
As much as we love being a “Fashionista”, there is a time and place but, when we go thrifting, we want to be as comfortable as possible. Since we’re going to be on our feet for possibly hours, a good pair of shoes are your best friend as well as dressing in clothing that allows for bending and stooping.
Tip #4 – Shop Alone
Some of you may not want to hear this but to stay focused while thrifting, I suggest going it alone. I’m serious! Go by yourself especially if you’re searching for specific items. Of course, if you’re just looking to have a fun time with a friend, by all means, take someone with you but, as a hardcore thrifter myself, I prefer to thrift alone.
Tip #5 – Inspect items carefully
Always inspect items carefully before purchasing them. There have been times I have gotten extremely excited and emotional over a piece only to buy it, take it home and then realize there is a defect. Using the flashlight on your phone can also be useful to inspect items more thoroughly especially if the thrift store you’re at is dimly lit.
Tip #6 – Wear a crossbody bag
Wearing a crossbody bag or even a small backpack can allow you more freedom to shop the store hands-free. Do be aware that some thrift stores will not allow you to carry a backpack due to problems with theft.
Tip #7 – Take wipes + hand sanitizer
Even before the pandemic ever happened, I always kept hand sanitizer and wipes in my car because not everything I pick up in the thrift store is clean. I’m not scared of a little dirt but I don’t want it all over my hands or in my car.
Tip #8 – Listen to music or an audiobook
I am one who has to focus on one thing at a time and this also applies to thrifting. I like to pop in my ear pods, turn on some music or even an audiobook, and block out the sounds around me. This helps me focus on the job at hand which is finding awesome items for my home.
Check out more posts here:
- EASY RESTORATION HARDWARE DIY DUPES USING THRIFT FINDS
- THE BEST THINGS TO BUY AT THE THRIFT STORE
- HOW TO FIND YOUR INTERIOR DESIGN STYLE WITH THRIFTING
- EASY AND BEAUTIFUL RESTORATION HARDWARE DIY DUPE VESSELS
Tip #9 – Create a mood board
If you’re thrifting for specific items for your home, it helps to create a mood board or even a list of items you’re looking for so you don’t get off track while in the thrift stores. I personally love to create a mood board on Pinterest and also Canva. I also have the Pinterest app on my phone so at any point, while thrifting I can pull up my mood board to keep me on task.
Tip #10 – Shop early in the day
If you aren’t able to shop the thrift stores early in the day, you can always make a stop while on a lunch break. I used to work near a thrift store and would pop in during my lunch break which made me even more laser-focused since I had a very limited time to shop before having to return to work.
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