Mental Health Matters: How to save money by thrift store shopping

By Medicine Hat News on September 22, 2018.

For some people shopping in a thrift store is simply a way to stretch the budget. If a family lives on a fixed income, it is an inexpensive way to shop. Items are much cheaper second-hand and you do not have to sacrifice quality or pride.

Browse the thrift store at a time when it isn’t likely to be crowded so that you have time to freely look through and inspect each item. Going on a less crowded day may mean there is a greater selection for you to choose from. Weekdays are usually less busy than weekends, especially during the middle of the week.

Thrift stores can be overwhelming. They’re big and they have a lot of inventory! Know what you need and focus on one area of the store at a time. You will be surprised at what you can find: Things like designer brands, items with the sales tag still attached, etc. There are plenty of well-made, expensive items waiting to be discovered in a thrift shop. Always try things on, just because it is a beautiful item doesn’t mean you should buy it. If the item does not fit well, it is a needless purchase that will clutter your closet.

Thrift stores are great sources of savings because there are some things that you just do not need to buy brand new. Used furniture is a fine example with how often people move, change their minds after a purchase or simply re decorate. Second hand shops have plenty of high quality sofas, kitchen tables and chairs, etc. You can save thousands of dollars by furnishing your house with great finds!

Other items you can shop for include children’s clothing. It can be found significantly cheaper at a thrift store. Because kids grow fast, their clothing is usually hardly-worn. It’s also a great idea to look for sports items second-hand. For example, if you are going skiing for the first time it simply does not make sense to invest in a new pair of skis. If you want to try your hand at golfing, do not buy a brand new set of clubs. Try out second-hand items first to see if you actually get into the sport. That way you won’t purchase something at full price that you will end up not using.

Books are also a great deal second hand! They’re often sold at discounts up to 50 per cent. Once you read the novel, you can donate it back to the thrift shop. This prevents unwanted clutter in your home. You may try checking for used text books that could save you money over the course of college career.

Tools are another item that doesn’t need to be brand new. You may purchase all of your basic tools second hand to save money.

If you don’t find anything one day, try again. A store’s inventory changes constantly so you might find what you need one week and nothing the week after. Leave your debit and credit card at home. With cash purchases you tend to be more selective.. You will therefore stick to your budget and not buy more than you need. Make thrift store shopping a part of your regular home management routine. Over the course of a year you can save hundreds of dollars, creating a surplus you can use for emergency funds.

For a large assortment of clothing, furniture, collectibles, books and household items check out The Post (410 South Railway St.). Owned and operated by the Canadian Mental Health Association — Alberta Southeast Region, The POST is Medicine Hat’s premier second hand store. Inventory changes daily and all proceeds remain in the community to support local mental health programs and services.

If you are interested in learning more about CMHA and are curious about budgeting or financial management, call Amy Becker, BSW, RSW, at the CMHA office at 403-504-1811 ext. 101 or email abecker@cmha-aser.ca. Visit them online at http://www.cmha-aser.ca.

Amy Becker is an educator with the Financial Administrator program at Canadian Mental Health Association, Alberta Southeast Region, located at #204, 1865 Dunmore Road SE, Medicine Hat.

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