trashsociety

I found myself at a thrift store about a week ago, one that I haven’t visited in a long time.  I really didn’t need anything, but since I was on that side of town, I decided to check it out.  In the past, any good must be purchased, but now I apply my new shopping skills before buying anything.  Here’s a little bit of what that looks like.

• Browse first, pick up later. I shop without picking up anything.  I look for things I like, then once I’m done, I go back and get the things I remember.  If it didn’t stick in my head, it’s not worth buying.
• Do I need this? This question doesn’t mean I can’t have it if I don’t need it.  What it does mean is looking at the big picture.  Why do I want it?  How long will I use it?  Will I even use it more than once of twice?  What item will I get rid of to get this with my one for one model?
• Can I repurpose something I have, borrow or trade for this? Basically I’m asking, “Is there a better way?”  Let’s take a tool for example.  Do I have something that will do the same job?  Could I borrow or rent this item?  I look at all other options.

I did something a little different on this shopping trip.  I took photos of everything I would have put in the cart or considered buying right away.  Here’s the photos.

Things I didn’t buy.

This extremely well build patio coffee table would have come home with me.  I don’t need, I would barely have space for it, but it was a screaming deal at $29.99.  I still want it just looking at the photo of it.  I love the modern style, and the way this was built, it could serve as a storm shelter.

Awesome cap, too tight for my head.  Continue reading

[item] Batgirl ball cap

[purchase info] I received this as a gift

[time in my possession] Approximately 3 years

[last used] Over a year

[difficulty level in getting rid of it] Easy

[destination] Thrift store

[info] I just don’t wear ball caps that often, so this was not easy to part with.  I like it and I wish it was a t-shirt.

[item] Brown knit purse & a pink knit skull cap

[purchase info] Purchased at thrift stores, I paid $3.00 for both

[time in my possession] Approximately 2 years

[last used] Over a year

[difficulty level in getting rid of it] Easy

[destination] Thrift store

[info] I used the brown purse once.  I’m not one of those girls that switches out purses all the time.  I have 2 left now, but I’ve been using the same one for a year and a half now.  The cap I love, but the style of it looks horrible on me.  I wore it once.  Just because you can wear something doesn’t mean you should.