When people say they don’t shop at the thrift store, I literally gasp. I’ve been thrifting since I was a little girl. My grandma, great great aunt, and mom have passed the tradition down to me and now I can’t shop without first going to the thrift store. Thrifting is in my blood. Literally.
You may be wondering… Meg, what exactly is thrifting? Before we jump into why you should thrift, let’s define thrifting. Thrifting means to buy gently used items at lower prices. You can go thrifting at stores like Goodwill (my personal favorite) and The Salvation Army, flea markets, or garage sales. Sometimes, you can get lucky and find dope items on the side of the road.
Now, let’s get into the good stuff. You know the meaning of thrifting, but you may be wondering why you should buy gently used items instead of brand-new items. Check out the reasons below.
Five Reasons why you should Thrift:
- To Save Money
If you’re anything like me, you’re living on a strict budget. By shopping at thrift stores, you can save lots of money on the same items you would usually buy brand-new. I get so frustrated when I buy something brand-new only to find that exact same item at the thrift store.
2. To Get Inspired
Thrift stores are the perfect place to buy items that are out of your comfort zone. Every time I thrift, I literally find something that sparks my imagination. It can be a colorful blazer, a floral couch, or a quilted picture. Thrifting makes me question how I can use a specific item to express my authenticity.
3. To Save the Environment
I’m all about recycling. I’m always recycling paper, plastic, cardboard, anything (I’ll even take it to the recycling bin myself). Thrifting is a form of recycling. Pounds of stuff fills landfills each day, which leads to pollution, lack of natural resources, and the list goes on. Instead of throwing items away, you can simply take them to the thrift store for someone else to love on them. Be a part of a constant giving cycle.
4. To Help Others
Stores like Goodwill and The Salvation Army provide jobs for those who don’t have access to job opportunities. Thrift stores literally put people to work. Not only that, thrift stores often help donate funds and provide resources to impoverished communities across the country. You may think it’s just shopping, but you are really helping someone survive.
5. To Have Fun
I get it. You walk inside a thrift store and immediately get overwhelmed. I’ve been there, but I promise you’ll have the best treasure hunt of your life. You never know what you will find at thrift stores. Sometimes, I have a list of things to look for, but will come out with ten times better. Just relax, be patient, and explore.
I hope these five reasons encourage you to thrift. Thrifting is a process and takes some time to get used to (I’ll share my thrifting process later). As you read, thrifting will change not only your life, but others.
Happy Thrifting!
