8lbs of clothes for $8.15 – some of the most interesting of the bunch, a “Cox for Congress” t-shirt for Kole, and the celebratory Otterfest shirt for me.
Don’t be coveting our new Travelers’ guide to Historic Mormon America. It’s already earmarked as a Christmas gift.
Total spent this trip approximately $31.
Or, more appropriately titled the, “I didn’t know we did THIS MUCH thrifting until I started cataloging it” post. Here are our latest treasures.
Favorite scores – first, the hacienda cardigan. Seriously, as a Spanish teacher, could I really pass this up? I’m imagining it with a t-shirt and jeans or a skirt and boots – maybe a scarf! Ooh la la! Wait, that’s French, let’s try a muy bien instead.
Also on my list of favs are the pink sweatpants below. They are a size 8. Maggie is almost 3. Hmmm… but they’re Mini Boden which I do love, and we’ve got bins in the basement for storage…
Total today: $7.50
So here’s the skinny on thrifty adventure #2 (also, I will probably stop numbering them after this because it could get embarrassing in a few months when we’re on thrifty adventure #156, and it’s only March)! I went to Goodwill, St Vinnys, and 2 other local haunts.
Maggie scored big this trip with a bunch of doll stuff – she is the proud mama of my Cabbage Patch dolls – Caren Lotti, Lorelei Donna, and Lara Cleo. Sadly, I did not have to find their “birth certificates” to tell you that. She also got a dress and skirt from Children’s Place, and a brown corduroy jumper from the Gap.
Ezra got a sweater from Gymboree (to be packed away for next year).
I got some back-to-school items to be used in the near future as this whole maternity leave deal comes to a close. I also got a magazine, and that black picture frame hiding in the back is part of the aforementioned photo install in the bedroom.
The piece-de-resistance (I am saying that a French accent) is that black embroidered thing in the back. A floor-length, latin-inspired dress. This is not for every day wear, mind you. I have a little obsession with Frida Kahlo. I have been to all her houses in Mexico City along with several museums that house her paintings. I have traveled to Chicago and Minneapolis to see expositions of her work, I even have 3 graduate credits in Frida Kahlo art. And, yes, I know she was kooky and crass and some might argue a little ‘off’. But she was a pioneer. She was a feminist before feminism. She was a strong-willed, independent woman. I just find her completely fascinating. And so, for the past 5 years or so, I’ve wanted to be her for Halloween, and/or two other times during the year that we study her work comes in class. I bought long wigs several years ago. I’ve got some jewelry, but I never had the dress. And now, well, look out come October!
If you know us, then you probably are already aware of our thrifty nature. Never ones to purchase items at full retail price, we have spent hours days scouring thrift stores, stopping at rummage sales, and sitting at auctions all in the name of a good deal. A great majority of our home furnishings, clothing (especially the kids’) and entertainment has been previously loved, and we like it that way. There is no worry when something gets ripped, broken or scratched, because we didn’t spend a lot on it to begin with. We also find great pleasure searching for bargains, and although our families are probably tired of all the trinkets and gag gifts that migrate their way on holidays, I don’t anticipate us stopping anytime soon. Which brings me to the point of this post.
In 2012 I’m going to try and document or keep a log of sorts of the items we buy secondhand and the amount we spend. I’m curious to see where we end up at the end of the year, and I’m wondering if I can roughly calculate how much we save versus buying retail. I’m not sure I have the time or energy to go that far – just sayin’ it’d be interesting.
Yesterday was my first trip out. I visited one Goodwill, a home décor consignment store, the ReStore, and a local shop that is near and dear to my heart due to its blanket pricing system. Example: all kids’ clothing size 6x and under is 25 cents per item. Seriously 25 cents! Adult sweaters are $1.00! This has contributed to the 3 garbage bags of felted wool sweaters in my crafty room, but I digress…
Here’s a look at the loot from January 3, 2012. You should be able to scroll over the items and see the cost per store.
Total spent: $21.36
