THRIFTING CAN BE EXPENSIVE

Oh I paid $2 for this and $3 for that, have you been thrifting lately? You should totally go because all of the cool kids are doing it and you can totally find so much stuff for next to nothing.  I buy clothing, jewelry, housewares, and furniture and let me tell you, I NEVER spend over $25.  You don’t know how to thrift? Oh well there’s an app for that.  Better yet, there are people that will teach you for a small fee.

 

This topic has been on my heart for a few weeks now and I finally decided to let it out.  We all know that thrifting is all the rage now.  Any décor related blog you click on these days is going to reference how they’ve found something while thrifting.  I personally LOVE thrifting and you guys know that! What I don’t love is how I’ve become overly slightly obsessed/addicted to it.  I’ve gotten to the point where I go into a thrift store out of habit not need. I haven’t shared recent finds with you because I’m not as excited as I once was when I come across something. 

This post is not to tell you that I’m anti-thrifting all of a sudden.  I just want you to know that for me, I see that it’s easy to get on a band wagon because we see it as the “it” thing.  Thrifting is definitely a lifestyle for many and I can appreciate that.  But for those who do it to have something to talk about or “brag” about, think about what you’re actually doing.  You’re probably wasting A LOT of money like I have on stuff that you really don’t need. 

These are a few pictures of my over indulgence in thrifting. 

 

(I have a lot of GOOD STUFF, but looking at it here, it’s junk and I don’t need it all)

 

Here are my tips for thrfting

*Buy what you need.  Don’t buy what you MIGHT need or what MAY work later.  I say this because usually when we do that (I’m guilty of this) , we really don’t need it.

*Make a list of what it is that you have seen on blogs or in other places, and already know what and where you’re going to use it.  For instance, I want to do a wall with painted empty frames.  Because I already know where I’m using them and about how many more I need,  I will go thrifting for them.

*Set a monthly spending limit for thrifting.  If you do like to go often, set aside an amount that you WILL NOT go over every month.  I say no more than $50.

*Take on a new attitude when it comes to bringing things into your home.  Maybe when you bring something in, you take something else out.  Or something else that may work for you.

*Stay off the thrift train.  Yeah it’s cool to thrift! It’s a form of recycling. But set limits for yourself.  I often think of Sarah Richardson who buys things vintage and refinishes the pieces in the homes that she work on.  There may be 1 or 2 pieces in each room that’s thrifted or vintage.

*And for those that like the idea of furnishing your entire home with vintage finds found while thrifting, that is ABSOLUTELY fine! Again, know what it is that you are looking for, set a budget, and definitely have a plan.

*Listen to people around you.  If you hear people saying that you’ve become addicted then chances are you have.  Evaluate what’s going on and find a solution.  For me, it’s time to use some of my finds or get rid of them. 

 

I’m not bashing anyone for their love of thifting (again, I love it too!), but I do feel like it was important for me to share my feelings on the matter.  I hope this helped at least one of you