I grew up in a family of 4 children, a stay-at-home mom, and a father who didn't make a lot of money. We had everything we needed (thanks to the constant sacrifices of my dear mother) but I did wear a lot of boys PJs inherited from my older brother and cousins. As an adult, I now shop in thrift stores and, if I can't find what I need, I may resort to the discount stores like Marshalls, TJ MAXX and Ross.
Thrift store shopping is like "big-game hunting" for me with the "thrill" is finding the best quality clothes and household items for the fewest dollars. As a child, I used to say that when I grew up I would be rich and hire someone to break in my shoes for me. Thanks to the thrift stores, this hasn't been necessary, and no blisters!
Claudia from MD
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I enjoy looking for good bargains as well. But please be careful buying anything such as shoes or underwear from the thrift stores. They harbor so many germs and diseases that I would not do it. Even washing numerous times cannot get out certain things. I have seen with my own eyes foot fungus from used shoes and more horrible things from wearing used undies. I wont be that graphic here :-)
Otherwise thrift shopping can be great at times. I really like it when you get a new piece of clothing that still has the store tags on them. Some are truly awesome!
omg i live in the thrift stores i go weekly and weekends and i live in an old farmhouse and have done my whole shabby/farm house decorating with thrift and curbside finds i have alot of antiques in my house that were free and there for the taking my kids are the best dresses in school and i am proud to share my thrifty way with them they are amazed when i tell them where i got all my finds they are like what??? then i show them the wardrobe why spend more money just cause you can thats ridiculous i love being thrifty it is like a bargain hunt plus our night time junk jaunts my daughter whos lil says are we going nighttime garage sailing?// how ya like that?????
All you have to do is soak your new old clothes in vinegar and no problem after you wash them in a regular wash load!
With shoes you want to pour pure vinegar in them with some hydrogen peroxide and let sit before washing it will bubble out any dead skin and old sweat from prior owners, then wash and rinse and put on a shoe dryer for a couple of days it kills any germs growing in there because shoe dryers dry out any fungus that will want to grow!
I always put my shoes on the peet shoe dryer before I go to bed and in the morning they are dry and warm and toasty to work another day.
You can get the shoe dryers from most sporting goods stores like Ed's Surplus in Lynnwood, Washington. Peet is the best one I have found.
I buy shoes at thrift stores too. I spray with disinfectant before wearing. I bought brand new Timberlake boots at Savers (a chain of thrift stores) for $25.00. I absolutely love them. That was my most expensive single buy ever. I only buy new or gently used shoes or sandals.
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