Enjoy this guest post from Ashlyn. I’m all about shopping at thrift stores and buying used, so I definitely love this post! Below are her top tips and strategies.
Hello readers of Making Sense of Cents! I’m Ashlyn, the author of Loves the Find, a blog focused on DIY projects and budget-conscious living. My husband and I share a love for creative, affordable shopping. Over time we’ve learned that money alone doesn’t bring lasting happiness.
Smart strategies, unique finds, and a little imagination are what turn a house into a warm home and a closet into a curated wardrobe. We enjoy the hunt—and the results—so much.
Shopping used not only stretches your budget but also supports local businesses, families, and charities while reducing waste and environmental impact. I’m honored Michelle invited me to share my favorite tips for saving money by buying secondhand. I hope you find them helpful!
Shopping secondhand can save you a ton of money.
With some planning and patience, buying secondhand can lead to huge savings. Secondhand venues include flea markets, yard and garage sales, consignment shops, and thrift stores—each offers different advantages.
Flea markets and antique stores often feature multiple vendors selling crafts, pottery, antiques, collectibles, and furniture. These markets can be indoors or outdoors and are usually arranged in aisles. In larger cities vendors sometimes mark items up, so I tend to shop flea markets more in smaller towns.
Yard and garage sales are hit-or-miss, but they’re among the best places to score bargains when you find the right sale.
Consignment shops sell items on behalf of owners and typically take a cut of the sale. Prices are usually higher than at thrift stores but still cheaper than retail, and many consignment items are in excellent condition. Consignment shops often focus on name-brand or designer clothing, jewelry, and accessories, and they’re usually arranged like a boutique, which makes browsing easier.
Thrift stores receive donated goods from the community and don’t always have the strict inspection standards consignment shops use. You’ll often need to dig a little to find treasures, which is part of the fun. The most important step before shopping is to find a good thrift store. Here are my thrift-shopping tips:
- Look for thrift stores located in more affluent neighborhoods; they often receive higher-quality donations.
- Shop with a purpose: know what your wardrobe or home is missing so you can target your search.
- Treat a thrift store visit like a grocery run: move through sections methodically rather than rifling through everything at random. Scan for colors, prints, and silhouettes that catch your eye before pulling items off the rack.
- Check the brand and price tag. Some low-quality items sell for nearly as much as store-stocked garments on sale—choose wisely.
- If the brand and price pass your test, inspect the fabric and look for visible flaws. If it’s in good shape, grab it.
- Many thrift stores have discount days for particular items. If you’re budget-conscious, wait for sale days unless you find an exceptional deal.
Incorporating secondhand items into your home and wardrobe takes creativity and effort. Most of the furniture in my home was purchased used and transformed—modern paint techniques and new upholstery can completely renew a piece.
Homes feel more personal and beautiful when owners invest time to make pieces their own. One of my favorite finds was a detailed wood dining table with six chairs for $200. With chalk paint and new chair fabric, it became a statement piece in our home.
Another favorite is a cherished wooden table inherited from a friend’s grandparents that was refreshed with stain and chalk paint. It’s now a treasured piece where her family will make many memories—an example of how transformations can add both style and sentiment at little cost.
For closet inspiration, here are a few thrifted outfits I love. Combining secondhand pieces with items you already own can create polished, versatile looks without high expense.
Fall Look:
- $9.00 – Fur sweater from a thrift store, nearly like new
- $20.00 – Hat from an antique shop
Professional Look:
- $19.90 – White House Black Market suit (blazer and skirt)
- Shirt – A basic cotton tee costs around $4 at thrift stores; a nicer blouse or button-down runs about $7.
- Accessories – Designer shoes and purses can often be found secondhand at a fraction of retail.
I love thrifting because it lets you experiment with style at low risk. I might not try high-waist jeans or a cropped dress in a retail store, but for the price of coffee I can see if a new look works. Thrifting encourages bold choices and fun fashion experiments.
- $4.45 – Jeans
- $3.00 – White top
- $10 – Earrings on sale
- $30 – Heels on sale
You can save money on children’s items as well!
As a parent, one of the best money-saving lessons I’ve learned is to avoid buying children’s clothing and toys at full retail. Kids grow quickly, so investing in expensive new items often isn’t practical. Hand-me-downs, thrifted finds, and yard-sale bargains are excellent alternatives.
If you don’t have relatives with hand-me-downs, look for local parent groups or community swaps. Yard sales—especially in spring—are great for building a child’s wardrobe and toy collection. My daughter and I visit sales monthly to pick up books; she loves digging through boxes to find ones she wants. Many children’s clothes and books at yard sales are priced very low, sometimes just a quarter each.
I’ve found toys like activity tables for $1 (retail $30) and a battery-powered ride-on with helmet for $15 (retail about $70). Yard sales can also yield bargains on gates, play yards, and cribs—just be sure to inspect items thoroughly and check safety ratings before use.
To get the best value when shopping for children, look for:
- Jackets
- Items still with tags or in original packaging
- Full outfits
- Pajamas
- Shoes
- Swim diapers and swimsuits
- Books and toys in excellent condition
Things to watch for when buying used:
Clothing:
- Shoes in good condition can be hard to find; inspect soles and inserts carefully.
- Watch for stains, rips, pulled fabric, missing buttons, or any flaw that would bother you.
- If you’re not familiar with a brand, do a quick online check to confirm value and quality.
- Try on everything if possible. Items can fit differently on the hanger than on your body.
Furniture and décor:
- Research unfamiliar brands or pieces on your phone to determine value and authenticity.
- Check the item’s structure—good “bones” make for easier transformations with paint or stain.
- Keep your phone handy for quick online comparisons and price checks.
Those are my best tips for saving money by buying used. Thrifting can be addictive: once you discover how much you can save and how much fun the hunt is, you may never want to shop retail full price again!
Do you often buy used items? Why or why not?