TS Bargain Hunting

Admittedly, I am a thrift store (TS) addict. (We all have some of those.). I not only donate to, but also frequent and shop in ones here in Nashua, NH. Several times, Grenville has said he didn't feel like going. That's when he's found something he could actually use. Not because, as we well know, there's anything we ever really need. It's just fun to look and shop without spending a lot of $.



My goal whenever I go to a local TS is to buy at least one item, because why leave empty-handed. It's not always something for us. And, that's the fun part. 

Often, I look for something to give/send. (The mailing is always more than the purchase cost, but no matter.) It's my belief (maybe yours) that everyone likes a surprise, especially when it's not their birthday or a holiday — it's a just because occasion. 

This little sign was just such a find. It's already been sent to a longtime friend who has battled various health issues in the past couple of years. 

She completed chemotherapy a couple of weeks ago and she is definitely braver, stronger and loved.

Wait. It wasn't my only TS find last week. Here's something else I bought for less than a dollar—99 cents (no sales tax here) and with a lifetime guarantee—but whose lifetime?

Maybe it was one of those "as seen on TV" deals, but the box didn't indicate that. Grenville checked online and found it offered on Amazon at $5.99. Score a deal !

The packaging indicated that this it's an easy-to-use kitchen tool, noting (several times) that no cords or electricity were required, thus making it "safe and convenient." When I tried this whisking wonder on eggs, Grenville laughed as I showed how pushing on the top could help me "cook like a pro."

Later, it was time to try it to whisk a mayo and yogurt dressing for a broccoli salad.

NOT only did it work very well, but was far easier than using a short hand-held whisk. (We own many lots of whisks in varying lengths, doesn't every chef? Even the at-first skeptical Grenville conceded it's a kitchen tool "keeper."

How about you —  do you shop at thrift stores, flea markets, yard or estate sales? 
If so, have you found any interesting, useful or just plain fun-to-have (or share) deals? 

Unexpected Gifts Are . . .

Wonderful. 
We couldn't agree more and last week we received these from a very unexpected place — a small local thrift store, Lucky Dog. 

This thrift store is the fundraising headquarters for the non-profit, Tails to Freedom, Inc., which promotes animals through education and financial assistance. As former pet owners we appreciate those goals. 

Like others, we've donated and shopped here and also contributed paper goods (toilet tissue, paper towels) cleaning supplies and financial support. In a small shop, those "necessary" items are most appreciated. 

Lucky Dog is within walking distance of our apartment. We visit often and showed photos of our "snowmen" display; seen here.  Our "gift" included selected "snowman" items: drink stirrers, gift boxes, figurines, candle holders, and a card. We're thankful for all and some snowmen displayed the past two years will be donated. 

BIG  hint: never let folks know about a themed display or you too may be "gifted" with more of the same. Last year, neighbors and friends also gifted us with snowmen.

We might change the theme next year and not share with anyone.

101+ Reasons

It's no secret that we really enjoy shopping at a thrift store, no matter where we happen to find one — at home or on a road trip. Recently, we found some great deals.

What did we get?

On a recent trip to the VA eastern shore, we found these books at the Lighthouse Ministries Thrift Store. I formerly volunteered at this little store. It always has terrific finds and even greater people staffing it.

Grenville scored a find with the first two books of the NYPD Red series and one from the Private series by prolific author James Patterson. Sure, these are not great literature, but they are fast and compulsive reads. My finds included books by 2 authors I've never read (really): Patricia Cornwall and Dean Koontz. The Nordstrom Family and Friends Cookbook was just too colorful to pass up, even if we don't need more recipes. Harry Potter is for grandson Bobby's reading library. He and his mom recently bought a couple in this series at a book sale. (We read the entire series and have all the films as well.)

The post title refers to the fact that if these titles were bought at the listed full retail (does anyone still do that?) the total cost would be over $101. 

Our total cost (including VA sales tax) was $3.95.  Not only did we get some incredible savings, but once read we'll recycle (except for HP and the cookbook) to another thrift store for others to enjoy.

This Belkin computer sling bag was bought at a Goodwill Thrift Store in NH. It was a good deal at $4, then at checkout, I found out it was a blue-tagged sale item day and reduced 50% that day. Although used it was still in great condition and well padded. Its $2 final cost (no sales tax in NH) made this a terrific bargain! 

Yes, we shop retail and online for some items. But, we've found that there's no challenge in shopping retail — and more fun in ferreting out great deals.

How about you — have you shopped in or found great deals in thrift stores?

If so, what were YOUR great finds?

Grand Bargains

These items are GRAND for a couple of reasons.

FIRST are the prices – a pair of swim trunks, shorts and t-shirt – total cost $4. These “branded” clothing items would have cost several times that amount when purchased new. And these were in “like new” condition. What’s more, the t-shirt “talks” when the square on the lower left is pressed, even after a spin in the washer and dryer. We just know his mother will love that sound after awhile. We wouldn’t be surprised to hear it’s mysteriously stopped working.

SECOND it’s such fun to spoil grandchildren.

Grandson is a Sponge Bob fan (as you can tell) and lately has started favoring Spiderman. Maybe he won’t be seen in these those camouflage Spiderman shorts.

Granddaughter will really be in the pink in this ensemble as daddy’s favorite little girl.

These were definite thrift store bargains. While the cost of mailing them was just about the same as buying them, it doesn’t matter cause . . . It’s such fun to spoil grandchildren especially at these prices !

Thrifty is Nifty

Don’t you just love a good great bargain?

We do too – look at the ones we found on the weekend – 2 DVD movies and 2 colorful coffee cups (not from you-know-where) for – are you ready – $8.97 and NO sales tax here in NH.

These DVD films were $3.99 each. 

Does life get any better than this?
Yes, it does – check out these coffee mugs at 99 cents for 2 !

OK, you can find a coffee mug for $1 apiece at a discount store, but this pair of red beauties originally sold at Pier 1, a national up-scale retailer. Both were brand new and “Made in Spain” which beats “Made in China” any day for us. Check out those great handles too – perfect for when Grenville brings me coffee in the a.m. (Yes he’s a sweetie to do that.)

Where did we get these great deals?

Thanks for asking – we bought them at a Savers in Nashua, NH. Regular readers of this blog know that we usually always brake for stops at IHOP, IKEA, Panera Bread – and thrift stores.

Savers, Inc. headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, is a privately-held chain of over 200 for-profit thrift stores operating in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. Yes, Savers is in business to make money. It’s been operating this way since 1954 and is considered a leader in the retail thrift industry.

Compared to nonprofit thrift stores, Savers is a competitor with a unique business model and connects with non-profit charities nationwide to collect items for sale in its stores.  Savers, pays them for the items at a bulk rate regardless of whether they ever make it to the sales floor. It also accepts donations directly from consumers at its retail locations. The company claims to have paid over $1 billion to nonprofits in its 57-year history supporting
local community programs.

We’re watching The Proposal tonight.

The red mugs were tried out this week using this pumpkin spice coffee. It was delicious served with cinnamon flavored coffee creamer.

Sorry, we only have 2 red cups. If you find more, come join us for a fresh cuppa coffee.

Bargain Reads

As our friend, Possum, noted in a recent blog post comment, electronic books can’t be found in thrift store book sales (yet), freely traded with friends, and you certainly won’t find surprises in them like this.

Grenville and I not only use the local library, but scour thrift store book racks weekly. We LIKE printed books; Grenville said that he can’t put an electronic book in his back pocket – and sit down. And, we enjoy holding printed books, especially hardcovers, so we’ve happily decided NOT to join the trend towards electronic versions – no Kindle® or Nook® in our immediate (or long-term) future.

For us, great book finds can be found not only at the local thrift stores, but the local library has an ongoing “dollar-a-bag sale table.” It’s filled with discarded and/or withdrawn books, donated books (hardcovers and paperbacks), magazines, and even some audio books on cassettes (remember those?). The selection is constantly changing and is usually quite amazing. Usually, I buy a bag, only planning to keep a couple, then save some to send to friends, but most often donate the rest to the thrift store where I volunteer, which in turn sells them – everyone profits.

Here’s some “finds” in the past couple of weeks – several travel books for our possible late spring road trip to Florida (yes, another one) and a couple of light, fun mysteries to read along the way. These can then be left with a Florida friend who likes mysteries.

Retail cost of the 3 travel books was $50.95. The 2 paperbacks retailed at $7.99 each ($8.99 in Canada, ouch).

For more serious fiction reading, I found the first two books of the wildly popular Millennium trilogy by the late Swedish journalist and novelist Stieg Larsson. One was included in the local library sale; the other was 25 cents in a thrift store. Retail cost of both paperbacks new was $27.90 vs. my cost of $1.25

Still need the paperback version of The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest, to complete the set and hopefully will find it in paperback (current U.S. price, $12.99) on a future search. I started the first book (Girl With the Dragon Tattoo)  over a year ago on loan from a neighbor, but could not “get into” the story line and returned the book as I feared it would be a slow start and dislike holding onto a borrowed book. Ownership means I can read them at will, and the cost was very right, plus paperbacks travel well.

Also found this book – retail $21.99 ($25.99 Canada – really OUCH). It was included in the $1 library sale.

Grenville figures it might make our blog “more interesting."

Is that possible?

 

Total retail cost of ALL the books shown at the top of this post would have been – are you ready – $213.75 (U.S. prices only – higher elsewhere.)

Our cost was under $2 – cheaper than buying an electronic reader – and to our thinking, a lot more satisfying.

What’s YOUR preference?

Who Needs Freeport?

When Grenville and I were on our fall road trip to Maine, we couldn’t miss a trip to Freeport, outlet capital of New England.

All we spent was time, cause we didn’t see anything we thought was a real bargain . . .WHY?

Cause we’ve found better deals closer to home and there’s not even an outlet store within driving distance. In fact, the closest mall and “big box” stores are a 90-minute drive.

What we DO have are thrift stores – 3 of them less than 5 miles from our home. One day a week, a couple offer 10% discounts to seniors. HEY, that’s us!

Anyway, WHO needs Freeport when there’s bargains on brand names like these close to home?

In the past few weeks, I’ve bought a Patagonia jacket, Eddie Bauer down vest, Land End scarf, Rockport shoes, gloves (thinsulate insulation) and almost TAG Heuer watch (more on this deal later).

These are brands I would never buy at the retail prices charged, even at the outlet stores.

Guess what I paid for ALL this stuff?  C’mon venture a number.

Are you ready? Hope you’re sitting down for this amount.

(The watch is a knockoff; the “made in China” label is hidden inside the back case. It looks authentic and with a new battery it’s been running fine, just like the Eeyore character watch bought last summer at a thrift store.)

Less than $20, including 5% state sales tax.

The side trip to Freeport was interesting, but we like shopping at home, where the bargains are much better and cost less!

Besides, everything has already been broken in, especially the shoes.

Thrifty Bargains

Bargains – Don’t you like a good one too?

Grenville and I usually make Wednesdays our run-around day with stops at the 2 local thrift stores (the “seniors 10% discounts are nice too). We really enjoy getting things we would not have bought at full price. And, besides it’s great FUN !

Our small area has a couple of thrift stores we visit often.

The Lighthouse Thrift Store (photo) is run by Lighthouse Ministries, a Christian based organization which operates a local shelter providing temporary housing for homeless individuals and families.Proceeds from thrift store sales support shelter operations.

The Hospice Thrift Store is a larger place that carries a wider inventory including furniture, electronics, household good, clothing. The store's revenue funds Hospice and Palliative Care of the Eastern Shore, which provides care for those with limited life expectancies.

Both stores sell donated items – used and new – to support worthy local causes and our purchases help. Besides, when you’re out looking, to quote Forrest Gump, “you never know what you're gonna get.” Today, was no exception. My find was a well-used Disney watch featuring Eeyore on the dial. As with most items, it was sold “as is” for – are you ready – $3. A trip to a local jeweler $5 (installed with tax) later for a new battery, and it was working. My total outlay was now up to $8. But with its stainless steel casing and band this watch is so much better than an inexpensive plastic watch and being pre-owned it has more history too.

Then there were last weekend’s bargains as the Friends group of the local library hosted its Firecracker Book Sale on July 3. See the photo below for what $10 can do!. All the books are in great to “like new” condition. Makes sense not to pay retail and support a local group too.

Most of these books will be sent to out-or-state friends as a sort of pay it forward. And, the recipient can feel free to share with another friend after reading (or even before).

Bargains are good things in many ways!