We’ve talked a lot about the budget crunch many of us are in right now as the cost of living rises, and recently said that when they clean out their closets they donate to charity, but my question is this—are you finding yourself spending more time shopping in resale stores like Goodwill these days?

I’ve always been a fan of Goodwill, of course, but I know as I’m looking towards fall (it’s never too soon to plan ahead!) I find I’m thinking resale shops are looking better than ever, knowing I can’t quite afford that trip to the mall.

Anyone else?

I wish I could find a Salvation Army store or Goodwill store near me. Anybody know how to find one?

I have to tell you all my daughter’s budget purchase of the day! Can anyone beat this for a pair of shoes?  Not one , but Two, pairs of little dollie flatties for one pound. Where from? Of course it had to be Primark!

Their Oxford Street London store was full of pretty things at budget prices but in the end she came home and found these little glossy bottle-green and tan Dolly shoes.

It seems that Primark even has the resale stores taped! People are joking in London that the Thrift shops are going out of business!

Unfortunately the closest and nicest resale shops are over 25 miles from me since our local consignment store just went out of business.  There is a happy ending to the story though...she donated all of unclaimed clothing to our nonprofit organization and we just launched a new program called “The Black Pants Project” that provides struggling women and girls with a starter wardrobe or return to the workplace....all due to her generous donation!  Hopefully this program will take the financial pinch out of the already stressful process of the job search, interview, and finding the appropriate wardrobe. Please pray for our success!

Anyone ever heard of a resale store online? Just wondered.......

That shop owner that donated to the black pants project is to be commended! Great idea. There are similar charities in Canada to lend a helping hand to someone who just needs a little help climbing onto the ladder of success!

My dear friend who I normally did the rounds of all the charity shops and thrift stores moved away and I don’t find it near as much fun. She is battling cancer and I really relied on her eye to see the jewels in all the droopy saggy stuff on the hangers.

I need to get out again, but it also takes a fair bit of gas.

My bargains happen when I travel to the big city, and I hit the outlets. I have my little black book of addresses there and also my big bargain shopping at the dept stores in the local malls here when they do end of season 70 and 80% off last marked price.

Often when the new stuff is coming in, and the old stuff is going on last markdown I pick up both new stuff and markdowns at really good prices.

They often do a 20 or 30% off the new stuff too, alongside the clearance racks so for basics and classics it’s nice to pick stuff up then.

Maz, I’d look them up in the Yellow Pages. I don’t know about NYC though. Hospital thrift shops are the best. Usually high society ladies volunteer there, and a lot of those types donate to the hospital thrift shops. I’ve found some of the best stuff there. Hope that helps.

You know I have found that I don’t go towards resale shops more than normal.  I tend to be a very impatient shopper so having to shift through a bunch of clothes does not really appeal to me.  Maybe if I lived in a large city that had a great selection of really great vintage clothing.  I will say that its a great way to cut down on cost as well as a very “green” way to shop for clothing.

I will peak around a resale shop once and a while however I would much rather try to get rid of some of my clothes at these shops and use that money for a new item of clothing.