You Should Buy from Thrift Stores More Often!
Do you remember those bumper stickers that read “I brake for yard sales”? Well, some of us would do that for thrift stores, screeching to a halt for a promising-looking Goodwill or a quaint local charity shop. Over the past three decades, we’ve been thrift-shopping all over the Midwest, Northeast, and all the way from Los Angeles to Seattle. This cross-country treasure hunting has revealed one universal truth: thrift stores are a goldmine of value, character, and sustainable choices, waiting to be discovered. It’s a practice that goes far beyond simple bargain-hunting; it’s a lifestyle choice that embraces creativity and rejects the disposable culture of modern retail.
Luckily, some of us are a bit too picky to be just hoarders. The key is to approach thrifting with a plan, a keen eye, and a touch of self-control. We buy only what we need, what genuinely brings us joy, or what we think we can sell for profit online. And even if every secondhand store has its own unique perks and personality—from the meticulously organized boutique charity shop to the delightfully chaotic bin-style outlets—there is still a standard set of items we’re always looking for when we want to thrift something. These are the categories where you consistently find the best quality and the most staggering savings. Here are a couple of things that you should always get from thrift stores.
Jeans
Jeans are, without a doubt, the best bargain in any thrift store out there. For example, where I live, high-quality used jeans from well-known brands sell for less than $20 and sometimes even less than $10. And even if they might seem high for “pre-loved” denim, you should still consider this: the average retail price for women’s jeans was $165 back in pre-inflationary 2018. Today, that price is often much higher. The best part? Someone else has already done the hard work of breaking them in, resulting in a perfectly soft, comfortable fit from the very first wear. You get to skip that stiff, awkward phase of new denim entirely.
And if you think all thrift store jeans are junk, stained, or hopelessly out of style, then you should think again. There are plenty of high-quality clothes in thrift stores if you know what to look for. Keep an eye out for classic brands like Levi’s, Lee, and Wrangler, whose older, 100% cotton jeans are often more durable than their modern, stretchy counterparts. Always check the critical wear points: the zipper, the belt loops, the seams, and especially the fabric in the crotch and inner thighs. A little fading is character; a threadbare patch is a future problem. You can find everything from trendy high-waisted “mom jeans” to classic bootcut styles, often in like-new condition.
Tools
Tools are the ideal go-to item at any thrift store and something that’s always worth buying at estate sales. We’re not even talking about complex power tools like circular saws and welding torches, just about the basic hand tools everyone should have in their home for simple repairs and projects. Think hammers, screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers, and tape measures. These items are often donated when people downsize or when an older relative’s workshop is cleared out, meaning you’re getting items that were built to last a lifetime.
And since much of what gets donated is older, it’s also easier to find used tools that are well-made and that have proven time and time again their worth when it comes to dedicated service. You can look for genuine made-in-America stuff like your parents and grandparents had, from brands like Craftsman (the older ones!), Stanley, or SK. The weight and solid feel of these vintage tools are often a testament to their superior quality compared to many of today’s cheaper alternatives.
Moreover, you shouldn’t let a little surface rust discourage you. It’s often just a cosmetic issue that speaks to their age and authenticity. With the slightest TLC, the wide majority of tools can go for another generation or two. A simple soak in vinegar followed by a light scrub with steel wool and a wipe-down with a bit of oil can make a rusty wrench or pair of pliers look and function as good as new. It’s a satisfying restoration project that leaves you with a top-quality tool for a couple of dollars.
Totes, trays, and baskets
Of course, we can say that Amazon has plenty of products to buy if you want to decorate your home and get organized. However, why pay retail for something you can find with more character for a fraction of the price? Canvas totes are always on display in any thrift store out there, often for just a dollar or two. They are extremely handy for stowing items in the trunk of the car, packing for an overnight trip, corralling groceries, and, fittingly, for shopping at garage sales and flea markets. Look for sturdy ones with reinforced handles for maximum utility.
Moreover, trays and baskets are other go-to storage items that blend form and function beautifully. Trays are ideal for displaying cologne on a dresser, organizing TV remotes on a coffee table, creating a stylish bar setup, or even storing craft supplies. You can find them in all sorts of materials, from ornate silver-plated pieces to rustic wooden ones. You can use baskets to efficiently store pet gear, pantry items like potatoes and onions, rolled-up bath towels, or kids’ toys. Wicker, seagrass, and wire baskets are common finds that add texture and warmth to any room’s decor.
Holiday decorations
When you pay less for holiday decorations, you will have more money to spend on gifts. It’s simple math that makes the festive season a little less stressful on your wallet. Over the years, we made a habit out of collecting decorations, and now we have a beautiful collection of Christmas tree ornaments, each with a bit of history and nostalgia baked in. Finding a box of delicate, vintage glass baubles from the 1960s feels like unearthing a true treasure.
They are all purchased at thrift shops for only 50 cents apiece, sometimes even less. And every year, you can find brand-new holiday greeting cards, often still in their original packaging, for only a dollar or two. But considering all this, why would you stop there? The holiday section is a seasonal explosion of potential savings. It’s a fantastic way to decorate sustainably, reusing items instead of buying new plastic decor that will only be used for a few weeks a year.
Thrift stores also sell artificial trees, tree skirts, wreaths, and wrapping paper. You can even find festive linens like tablecloths and runners, strings of lights (always ask if you can test them first!), and unique, quirky items like ceramic Christmas village houses or vintage nativity sets. And best of all, when you decide to buy from charity-related shops, you are also helping to fund worthy causes. That’s honestly a great idea for every season of the year!
Arts and crafts supplies
Thrift stores have limitless options for artists and crafters. It’s an absolute paradise where creativity can flourish without the pressure of expensive, brand-new materials. Besides old canvases that you can easily paint over with a fresh coat of gesso, you should also look for vintage photographs, wallpaper samples, fabric, yarn, pottery, and silverware. Scraps of leather from old purses, bags of assorted buttons, and high-quality wool or silk yarn can all be found for pennies on the dollar.
Look for embroidery hoops, knitting needles, crochet hooks, and partially used tubes of artist-grade paint. Old, ornate picture frames can be repainted and repurposed for your own artwork. And with a bit of inspiration, almost everything in a thrift shop can be reimagined and repurposed. An old wool blanket can be cut up for rug hooking, a chipped teacup can become a pincushion, and old maps can be used for decoupage. Since the raw materials are quite inexpensive, you can easily let your creative spirit run wild and experiment without fear of failure.
Dishware
If you do the same, we should shout loud and proud that we buy all our dishes from thrift stores. Why wouldn’t we? It’s true that nothing really matches in the strictest sense, but it’s still part of the fun. You’re not just buying plates; you’re curating a collection that reflects your personal style. You’ll often find that older dishware, like ironstone or vintage Corelle, is far more durable and charming than modern, mass-produced sets.
Creative designers know how to make something out of setting tables with highly curated mismatched sets of dinnerware. You can also copy a great look for pennies at a thrift store. Are you curious to know how? It’s a simple and enjoyable process that feels like a treasure hunt.
You first need to choose a main color family (whether it’s classic whites and creams, for instance, which are always elegant) and an accent color (like navy blue, sunny yellow, or a deep green). Then, just let your creativity take over, and buy all the interesting pieces that fit within your designated palette. Look for varied textures, subtle patterns, and interesting shapes to add depth and visual interest to your collection.
Each plate, bowl, cup, and saucer will be different, but somehow, you will see that they work together quite nicely to create a cohesive and captivating tablescape. Your table setting will tell a story and be a conversation starter in itself. And when a cup breaks, there’s no stress or need to find an exact replacement. You just have the fun excuse to go back to the thrift store and pick up a new, unique replacement for a dollar or two.
Perfume
If you’re not a big perfume person, then you shouldn’t worry about spending a ton of money on it. And even if you are, the thrift store offers a surprisingly viable way to build a fragrance wardrobe on a budget. You can easily find a bottle of Burberry or Dior hidden somewhere in the crowd of Avon’s and Charlie’s in any thrift store. You just have to know where to look, which is usually in a locked glass case near the checkout counter.
Trust me, it happens more often than you think. The biggest department stores donate perfume testers and lightly used returns that they can no longer sell. Sometimes people receive fragrances as gifts and donate them, occasionally still in the box. And do you want to know the best part? Plenty of thrift shops aren’t familiar with high-end fragrance brands, and they will sell them for $3 or $4 apiece. Finding a half-full bottle of a scent that retails for over $100 is a thrilling victory for any thrifter.
Unique items
If you’re looking for unique stuff that infuses your home with personality, then there’s no better place than a thrift store. This is where you find the items that money can’t buy in a mainstream store. Kids pinch pots with the wildest glazes possible, threadbare silk rugs with a story woven into them, and a stack of beautiful black and white snapshots of strangers from another era—these are all one-of-a-kind items that make our homes impressively unique.
And they can all be found in thrift stores, waiting for the right person to appreciate their charm. A vintage typewriter, a quirky lamp from the 70s, a globe that still shows the USSR, or a hand-carved wooden box—these are the pieces that become conversation starters. As a general rule, thrift stores are loaded with humble and handmade things that people can’t keep in their houses anymore. When you see something you truly like, don’t hesitate to take it. Chances are you will never see another one like it again.
Books
If you would rather read books the old-fashioned way (I know I do), then you have to check out your local thrift store. The book section is a sanctuary for bibliophiles. It’s the ideal place to find contemporary titles, beloved classics, and all sorts of out-of-print editions for a fraction of the price they once had. Beyond just novels, you can score incredible deals on expensive coffee table books about art, photography, and architecture for just a few dollars. Don’t forget to look for cookbooks, which sometimes contain handwritten notes and family recipes tucked inside.
Thrift shops in or near college towns generally have better book selections, especially for academic texts, classic literature, and foreign language books. And at the end of every school year, the selection increases exponentially as students move out and donate their textbooks and reading materials. It’s the perfect time to stock up for your own studies or simply for pleasure reading. The low prices encourage you to take a chance on an author or genre you’ve never tried before.
Vases and old jars
I really prefer keeping a healthy supply of antique vases and glass jars on hand. Why? Because it makes it incredibly easy and affordable to brighten up any space. After all, a simple and tasteful bouquet of flowers and greenery from any local grocery store can make your day, and placing them in a beautiful, unique vessel elevates them instantly. Look for different shapes, sizes, and materials like ceramic, milk glass, or carnival glass to create interesting arrangements.
Vintage vases usually sell for $1 to $3 at the wide majority of thrift stores. Moreover, old canning jars are cheaper and wonderfully versatile. I once bought five blue-green Atlas jars for only $2. They are perfect not just for flowers, but also for organizing pens on a desk, storing dry goods in the pantry, or even as rustic drinking glasses for a party. Their thick, durable glass often surpasses the quality of modern decorative jars.
Cloth napkins
I think it’s time to redefine the practicality of cloth napkins for everyday use. Making the switch from disposable paper to reusable cloth is a small change with a big impact. After all, they’re multifunctional: they eliminate the need for disposable napkins (which is quite the win for your budget and for the environment, too), and they are very easy to keep clean. Using a real napkin adds a touch of simple elegance to even the most casual weeknight meal.
All you have to do is choose the colors that can safely be washed with your other linens. I recommend sticking to 100% cotton or linen for the best absorbency and feel. The wide majority of thrift shops sell napkins in bundles, often tied together with a ribbon. You should expect to pay a dollar or two for a set of four. Keep an eye out for beautiful vintage sets, perhaps with delicate embroidery or a monogram, that add an extra layer of charm to your table.
Packing and shipping materials
Before, I used to frequent Carton Service, which is an out-of-the-way warehouse that sells surplus packing, shipping, and moving supplies. It’s basically a secondhand store with a single product line, a real lifesaver for any resale business, or for people who like to move things around a lot. This might seem like an unglamorous category, but the savings add up quickly, especially if you sell items online or ship packages frequently.
Even if every city isn’t lucky enough to have a similar business, plenty of thrift stores started to sell used bubble wrap, padded envelopes, all kinds of labels, and other supplies. You can often find a large bag of bubble wrap or packing peanuts for a dollar, which is a massive saving compared to office supply stores. This is a perfect example of practical, sustainable thrifting that directly benefits your bottom line while also keeping useful materials out of the landfill.
If you’re decided to try thrifting this weekend, here’s a beautiful set of cute bags that you should get to keep you company!
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