What You Should Buy At Thrift Stores
Today, it’s all about what you should buy at thrift stores. If you’re planning to visit a local thrift shop in the coming days or weeks, knowing what to buy while you’re there is a must!
While some items aren’t worth making a purchase at the thrift store, such as plastic cups and other cheap things that you can usually get for around the same price brand new, there are many hidden treasures there. One of my granddaughters married a great young man who finds collectibles and designer fashions like jeans at his local thrift stores, buys them at a drastic discount, and then sells them on eBay. He does very well!
If you’d like to save money on neat items or even collect items to sell for profit like an antique, these are some of the best things to look for while visiting thrift stores.
If you have purchased my book, “Prepare Your Family For Survival’. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. And don’t forget Raymond Dean White’s Book, “Buggin In.”
Pyrex Baking Dishes
People love Pyrex! If you can find some of these high-quality glass dishes, buying them at the thrift store is worth it. The brand isn’t cheap, but the quality of the products makes it worth paying near the price you’d pay at a traditional store, such as Target or Wal-Mart.
The brand makes glass food storage containers, casserole dishes, and other quality kitchen items valuable and worth buying. If you spot these items at the thrift store, you can get them for a significantly lower price than retail, meaning you’ll save big on high-quality kitchen supplies designed to last a long time.
Corningware
Did you know that Corningware is a big deal? Some people will pay good money for certain Corningware pieces from different collections made over the years. So, if you can find these casserole dishes and other high-end products, grab them.
Even if you don’t need them, you can make decent money by selling them to others. If you don’t believe it’s possible, look at the going rate for some Corningware collections on sites like eBay. It’s surprising!
Cast Iron Pans
This is where it’s critical to know the prices before you go. The last time I visited my local thrift store, I spotted a Lodge cast-iron 10-inch skillet. The thrift store wanted $49.00; I could see it needed some elbow grease.
The store must have thought it was valuable since it was stored behind a locked glass door. I’m not afraid of a little scrubbing-it-clean project, but cast iron can be warped and will not cook evenly.
Here again, know your prices before you go. I knew I could get a brand-new, seasoned one for less. Check the pieces for condition by placing them on a countertop to be sure they are flat and not warped. You want quality at a fair “used” price, that’s why you’re there in the first place!
Books
It’s never a bad idea to buy books at the thrift store. Once you read a book, you might not want to save it because you’ve already gone through it. In that case, you can buy affordable books to read at the thrift store and then pass them along to someone else when you’re done.
Sometimes, you may even find educational textbooks at the thrift store that you can use for school! It doesn’t hurt to look around and see what your thrift store has available.
You may also find some kid-friendly books that are perfect for the children in your home. If you work at a school or provide babysitting services, getting these books cheaply at the thrift store is a significant convenience.
Cookbooks
In some areas, you may find a treasure, a cookbook you remember seeing your mother or grandmother have. Here is where it takes patience: You have to dig through hundreds of cookbooks. Luckily, most stores place them in categories, which helps a lot. My favorite ones are old cookbooks using regular ingredients found in our pantries. You know me: I love cooking from scratch and teaching others to do the same.
Designer Clothes
Why pay a lot for designer clothes for your wardrobe when you can hunt for them at the thrift store? Sure, there are no guarantees as to what you might find, but many thrift stores have items donated to them that are valuable and still in great condition. You never know what brands you’ll find, but the element of surprise makes everything more exciting and enjoyable when you find a super deal.
If you’re looking for fashionable shirts, bottoms, handbags, and other accessories, scour the thrift stores to see what you can find because you might just come across designer options at deeply discounted rates. It’s always great when someone else’s discarded item becomes your treasure.
Sweaters and Sweatshirts
If you love wearing an oversized sweater or sweatshirt during the colder winter months, why not grab a bunch from the thrift store?
You’ll notice that thrift stores have no shortage of these garments in their establishment. You can find sweatshirts and sweaters in different colors, some of which may have fun designs. Buy what you like and what you think you’ll wear. You may find something in such good shape you’ll buy it as a gift for someone you know will appreciate it.
Finding these accessories at thrift stores is ideal, especially since some department stores charge high fees for sweaters and sweatshirts.
If you get lucky, you can find some good options for a few bucks apiece, a great way to add excitement to your closet without spending too much money.
Costume Jewelry
When you want to add costume jewelry to your collection, there’s no better place to look than the local thrift store. You may find bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and other pieces that you can wear with different clothes to accessorize your outfits.
In addition, costume jewelry at thrift stores is often available at such low prices that it’s worth spending money on, much cheaper than costume jewelry in regular department stores.
Finding real gold and silver jewelry at the thrift store for lower prices is even possible. These items may cost more than the costume jewelry, but they still cost less than they would if you went to a jewelry store to get them. It could be the staff at the thrift store don’t realize the item’s actual value, and you’ve found a true “treasure.”
Furniture
Buying furniture from a thrift store is not bad, but you must be careful. Some items are convenient to buy and use at home like a coffee table. Another example is you may need an office desk for your home office but don’t want to spend too much money. In that case, you could find the perfect desk at the thrift store at a much lower price.
However, be careful with any furniture you decide to get. It would help if you ensured no pests or insects were living in the furniture, as you don’t want to bring those problems home. Take the time to properly inspect them.
If you don’t see any issues with the furniture you’d like to get, consider buying it from the thrift store to save cash while getting what you need.
I know the local thrift stores here no longer take box springs or mattresses for fear of bed bugs. The last I heard, they will not take used washers, dryers, refrigerators, stoves, freezers, and rear projection TVs. Most of these stores don’t have the trained staff to test them out and perform repairs if necessary. Also, if repair parts are needed to make them functional, the store could spend more than expected to get them up and running.
In case you missed this post, here are the Thrift Store Items To Stock Up On or this one, Prepping Items You Can Find at Thrift Stores.
What Are Some Other Items You’ll Often Find at Thrift Stores?
- Home Decor Items: you’ll often find lamps, picture frames, vases, shelves, baskets, holiday decor like ornaments, and candle holders.
- Kitchen Items: look for glassware, silverware, pots and pans, platters, mugs, and small appliances.
- Toys and Games: kids love new toys and board games. You might find some Leggos, playing cards, erector sets, electric train pieces, and frisbees.
- Sporting Goods: be on the lookout for baseballs and gloves, footballs, rackets of all kinds, skis, golf clubs and bags, fishing gear, and more.
Final Word
Do you know what to buy when you go to the thrift store? If you’re unsure which items are worth purchasing and which are best to avoid, consider this list of the best things to get at the thrift store.
You can find many valuable items at the thrift store, including high-quality cookware, designer clothes, and even some furniture that you can use in different parts of your home. However, not everything is in excellent condition when being displayed. Check everything before you make a purchase to make sure it’s worth the asking price. If you have a specific item in mind as you shop, be sure to research the going prices for used items before you go thrift store shopping. If you have other suggestions based on your experience, please let me know so I can share your experiences with my valued readers. May God Bless this world, Linda
Copyright Images: Clothes Hanging Up Depositphotos_146927861_s-2019, Thrift Store Casual Clothes Depositphotos_31734667_S By Sirylok
Before you scroll on past my suggestion please hear me out: Camouflage-it doesn’t have to be the latest greatest to work. I know most here aren’t out hiding in the woods stabbing trees with a bayonet on the weekends for the local militia however what if things did go bad? What if you needed to hunt? What if you needed to hide or move in a stealthy manner through your local terrain or neighborhood?
Here’s the thing when I was in the Balkans The People were the ones who needed it because some military and militias employed psychopaths as snipers who would set outside of town and randomly shoot into certain areas. The People marked these areas and would scurry through them while not wearing bright colors, shiny objects or heels. Things here are declining.
Anyway I got long winded and a little PTSDd but that’s one of the things I look for.
Hi Matt, you will never be too long-winded for me or anyone else. You are a gift to us for the knowledge you share. I think of you often watching the news, there are no words. Great comment as always. I agree things are declining. Linda
Matt, I learn a lot from you. You’ve never been too long winded. Your information is right on. You are so well informed and have taught me a lot. Thank you.
Appreciate it
Hi Deborah, I totally agree. Linda
Matt, I was on a thrift store shopping trip with my sis: she saw camo clothing in 2 of them. Thought her grandsons could use some. I told her she needed to buy clothes while we were there as they wouldn’t last long. She didn’t and now neither place has any left.
You know my growing grandchildren are a great concern to me in clothing and other items and things fail.
Matt, I have 2 adult sons, 1 adult grandson. These guys grew up with my Drop and Shop thrift store mentality. One son moved to an apt last spring: he ordered quite a lot online to provide for his apt needs but Not until after he’d scoured the local thrifts. Now moved, he continues to go to thrifts as he finds things he needs. My grandson moves in and out, and I heard him tell his latest roommate ‘we’ll check the thrift first’ for whatever she mentioned they needed. Giggle, this is after he went to my freezer, emptied an icecube tray to take with him. Interestingly enough, the apt dweller also asked if he could have an icecube tray. All 3 of my guys have ‘introduced’ friends to thrifts. It always amazes me to learn some people have Never gone into one.
HI Wendy, great story, I love hearing these!! I’m amazed people have never gone to one. My adult kids and adult grandkids frequent them often. Why pay full price? The ice cube tray story is the best! Linda
Hi Matt, and things are getting worse, thank you Matt, you are awesome! Linda
Hi Wendy, so true, if you see a good buy and you need it, snag it! Linda
I love shopping at thirft stores. Down in Florida there are always people getting rid of important items that I can snatch up!
Hi Jess, I bet you can find great summer clothes down there!! If we can buy gently used items we want at discounted prices, that’s awesome! Linda
I love to thrift! Great post. Look for new toys, art, craft, and school supplies. I’ve even found fabric I used to make kids’ clothes. GW has just about priced me out ☹️ We have an amazing thrift store where all money stays in the local community for less fortunate. Even big box stores donate rather than deal with $1 items in store!
Hi Marilynne, that’s awesome about your community having its own thrift store, I love it. Linda
Thank you Matt! I always read your posts. There is a lot of wisdom there.
Hi Paula, I totally agree with you. We learn from one another! Linda
Great post, Linda! I shop at thrift stores. I love looking through their books, as well as clothing. I love Corning ware and Pyrex. My mother shopped for stainless steel. I like that, as well. I have many clothing articles that I’ve gotten from thrift stores. I do check for damage on everything I buy. Even at retail stores. I found a nightgown at one that had a pocket ripped. It was $10, I got it for less than half that. I just took the pocket off. Who needs a pocket on a nightgown? It’s one of my favorites. I also found two long cotton ones at a garage sale. Like new. One did have a stain on it, but my home made laundry soap too, the stain right out. Love thrifting!
Hi Deborah, oh I love the word, thrifting! It’s all about saving money on things we need. Love it! Linda
Great comment, Matt! Another thing about camouflage. … most of the items will outlast us! The pants & shirts are nigh on indestructible!
Nearly every thing in our house came from thrift stores, yard sales, estate sales or flea markets. We’ve bought furniture, kitchenware, canning & storage containers, reference & cookbooks, tools, both hand & power tools, bedding & linens, clothing, shoes & boots, garden equipment, camping equipment, first aid & emergency use items like crutches, walkers, slings & braces. When we need something particular, our thrift store is the first place I look.
Thrift store & garage sale shopping really help us stretch a limited budget!
Hi BDN, see, look at all the things you found at the various places! It’s all about saving money, you rock! Linda
Linda, a great reminder! One thing newbies to thrift stores should realize is that there is a great bit of difference in pricing, and even quality, between stores. I have one who charges 50cents, $1/2/3/4/5 for similar items sold for much more at a thrift right across the road! Another thing, these price differences can happen between thrift stores run by the same organization. Within a 20 mile radius of my house there are at least 12 thrift stores. Some are part of a national chain, some are a local chain, some are ‘independent’ local church-run places. Btw, as I’m de-cluttering, I do Drop and Shop, lol. If I bring in 5 books, I can buy 5…same for clothing. If a small appliance is thrown out, then I look at my thrifts first before buying new: like my tea kettle had finally rusted on the bottom so I threw it, got another nicer one the next day at the thrift.
Hi Wendy, great tip on pricing. I like the drop and shop, drop 5 can buy 5. Way to go! The tea kettle is the perfect example of buying what you need and tossing the old one. Way to go! Linda
Oh gosh, I love thrift stores. This year for my birthday I asked my husband to take me to the thrift store. Cookbooks, retro-vintage fabric and sewing patterns, cooking/baking pans are all fun. I’ve also bought old wooden chairs and painted them with fun designs too ( purple chair with a fat orange cat)…low stress purchases to DIY because you can’t really lose with a $5 project. Love this post.
Hi Jerilea, oh I love purple!!! I can almost visualize the fat orange cat on it! Love this!! Linda
Hi Linda!
Great article!! I try to visit our local thrift store a couple times a week! Last week I found nine “Chicken” magazines for 25 cents each. They also have 1/2 price books once a week! They have a fast turn over, but regularly have great deals on kitchenware, clothes and misc. camping gear!
Hi Alice, thank you for your kind words, my friend! 9 Chicken magazines, score! I will have to see if our thrift store has books 1/2 price occasionally!! It’s so fun to go to the thrift stores and look hard for “awesome stuff”! Linda
I really appreciated Matt’s comments about the camo. I used to work with a girl that I considered a camo snob! Ha! Ha! I can’t tell you how many times we’ve been out in the woods in mismatched camo!
Hi Alice, Matt is amazing that’s for sure. Mismatched camo is the best, who needs matching, right? Love it! Linda
Hi Linda,
My kids and I love to thrift shop. We get lots of great clothes. And we love camo. We all have camo coats. There are several camo coveralls and shirts here. We get great stuff, clothes, cookware, small appliances, and books at thrift stores and rummage sales. Like you, nearly everything in my house is from a thrift store or rummage sale. I consider it a blessing from God when I find something I need or want at such a cheap price. I got a brand new butter churn, the one I was wanting, for $5. We even find great Christmas presents! Chloe and I call it our shopping escapades hunting! In a couple of weeks we are going to our favorite rummage sale at the Lutheran School near us. It is twice a year. We have a ball!. Takes a good 2 hours to get through it. Tell Matt where we live lots of people wear camo and are “rednecks” as my husband would say. I would tell him I am not a redneck, but I like camo, lol!
God Bless You!
Jackie Perkins
Hi Jackie, oh how exciting to have that Lutheran Church rummage sale to look forward to, squeal! Life is good when we can find bargains and wear camo at the same time. Linda
Hi Linda,
Just wanted to say HI and hope you are well. I shop at Thrift Stores every chance I get.
When My kids were in elementary school, I made ALL of their shirts, Tshirts and slacks. I will never forget when my youngest son was ready to enter high school, he came to me when it got to be near “new school clothes time” and BEGGED me to please take him shopping this year for his clothes. He said he was tired of wearing my homemade ‘stuff’. As an adult he became quite the clothes horse.
Stay well and safe,
Suzanne
Hi Suzanne, oh boy, does this bring back memories. I had 4 daughters and I made all their clothes. I even embroidered their jeans, I didn’t even know how to embroider but stitched whatever and even with their names on their pockets. Junior high and high school, they begged for store-purchased stuff as well! Oh the memories, life is so good! It’s so good to hear from you, Linda
Stopped today at a close out store and found a camo windproof/waterproof lightweight over pants that’ll be a keep in my bag.
Hi Matt, what a good find!!!! Close-out stores are awesome! Linda
When I moved out of the college dorm and into a boardinghouse room it came with a double bed, a sleeper sofa, and a tiny under counter fridge, nothing else. Right around the corner was jam packed thrift store, I bought a maple kitchen table, with fold under leaves for $20 and a free standing metal counter for $15. Later a set of folding tray tables for about $5.00. All my dishes, cups, glassware, flatware Wa cookware, utensils and bedding came from there even a 2nd hand twin set of room darkening insulated drapes. Nothing for than I went to a yard sale on a visit home and found a 2 cup aluminum electric percolator for $0.50, a 2 slot toaster for $5.00 someone’s excess wedding gift, and a 50 cent raffle ticket netted me a handmade thick afghan. What a day, followed by church supper, my parents got me a gotgotticket for. There were 3 colleges nearby, so lots of freebie street shopping yielded many good items, like self building metal shelving units and lots of books and paperbacks. I built a free library of reading books. The was a discount hardware store down the street, where I found a length of good oil cloth for my table for $1.50. Plus a $ 10.00 2 burner hot plate and a $15.00, Slow Cooker. A godsend for working night shifts.My clothes were from another thrift shop, an Army/Navy store and the original Filene’s Basement. In those days I cleared maybe a $150 a week back then. Thrifting was a way of life. There was a cheap market near by, so I hit the pull carts from the produce, meat, and dairy plus the dented can bins every morning, on my way home from work for cheap groceries. I read the sales flier for sales on things I had to pay for, like TP and laundry/dish detergents. Add a carton of milk, and a squashed family sized box of Cheerios or a black and white family sized no name raisin bran, and I was all set for food. There was a bodega around the corner open from 6AM to Midnight 7 days a week. Over the years I’ve thrifted hundreds of things, I’ve needed, a second hand food processor with all accessories in perfect shape for $10.00, my first radio with a working cassette unit for $5.00, and so on. A cheap, portable B&W TV (12 in). My first car was my best thrift deal. A 72 Chevy Nova, basic tank for $50. It wasn’t perfect and needed some maintenance work, but I got my license with it at 28yo and had my freedom. A 3 speed Raleigh bike for a wedding gift that I went everywhere on, even grocery shopping for 2.
After losing nearly 100lb this past 2 years I recently cleaned out my closets and drawers of clothing that is now far too large, to donate 7 trash bags of excellent condition clothing and shoes to a thrift store about a mile away. Fabulous place with plenty of high quality items. They were thrilled to get my donations, because they were plus sized 2-3X clean and classic styles. Lots of Woman Within and Roaman’s, Fall and Winter weight who are about the only places carrying good quality and attractive plus sized attire. I also had a bag of high quality shoes and some plus size exercise attire, in decent shape. My summer house and yard attire. But even they are getting expensive, so thrift stores love to get them in, in decent shape. While I was there my jaw hit the floor! Huge beautiful ceramic cache pots for big floor plants, $20.00, in excellent condition! What a steal! If you can find them you’ll easily pay upwards of $200.00++! Also a huge selection of porcelain and ceramic pots in many sizes for equally great bargains, as many racks of great clothes as a TJ Maxx. Shelves of accessories and small appliances. They had furniture in the back. But it was crowded, and I forgot my mask, so could only see what I could see from the open door and what was outside. It’s definitely going to be my go to shopping place from now on when I need anything. People were dropping off mountains of donations all the while were there. There were endless 5 star reviews online. Many helpful, cheerful employees and a large parking lot are pluses, too. Was I impressed! This was no dark hole in the wall,with a single grumpy employee and minimal on street parking. This place is class, wow. Thrifting forever.
Please share your weight loss secret. I am impressed.
Hi Chris, I’m impressed as well! Linda
Hi MaryAnn, oh my gosh, thank you for sharing your thoughts! I LOVE LOVE LOVE your comment! The bargains you have found are amazing! The weight loss, yippee! You are a giver/donateer and thrifter, I love this! Linda
Thrifting – thrift store or garage sales!! Love them.
I have a note of caution when it comes to things like cast iron and vintage pyrex/corningware. Most of the thrift stores I have frequented have pretty high prices on those items so it is good to know what other shops are selling them for.
For example, I was in a thrift store a while back and found some great looking cast iron skillets. The problem I had, however, was that the pricing on a 12 inch skillet was so close to a new skillet that I hesitated to buy it. You also need to look over cast iron very carefully to make sure it doesn’t have deep pitting or cracks. Also, don’t fall for the “antique” cast iron!! A new cast iron skillet works just as well as a 50 year old cast iron skillet (once cleaned up and reseasoned!). As for pyrex and corningware, those things have sky-rocketed in price where I live. Not worth the price in my book.
Bottom line – know what these things sell for at other shops before dropping your $$$. I am pretty sure none of us can afford to spend money on items that are basically worthless (in the case of cracked cast iron) and become nothing more than door stops.
Hi Leanne, I totally agree, we must know the prices of new ones before we going shopping for a particular item. Inoticed that the prices have skyrocketed on Corningware, oh my gosh!!! Great comment as always, Linda
I donate to thrift stores but haven’t really shopped in them much so this was good information. I’m more of a “super shopper” for hot deals. Now I’m getting older, I’ve been more in the mode of down-sizing & de-cluttering. This article helped me decide on some things like my cookbook collection from when I was a food editor – I’ve already downsized it to my favorites which I’ll now keep. I’ve downsized the rest of my book collection too but keeping reference books especially gardening books, favorite novels, etc. I asked myself if I would ever read this book again and that helped me decide more easily. I do love my old Corningware and can’t believe how much it’s worth now! I had so much new cast iron that I had bought at Camp Chef warehouse sales that I sold some of it. It went fast and I made money! Anyway, now I’m in this stage of life I stay out of thrift stores, and off of places like Craigs List. LOL!
Hi Kay, I think our kids and grandkids are more into thrift shops! We’re decluttering now, right? I’m amazed what they find in the clothes and jewelry departments! Anything cast iron goes fast and Corningware is so expensive now! Downsizing is a good thing, get rid of what you no longer need or want. It feels good when someone else can buy it and use it! Linda
We have shopped garage sales for the last 45 years. Clothes, toys, furniture, home decor. We were in Homegoods, and all I could think was, ” How much of this stuff will be at next years garage sales”. Easily, 50% of our home came from garage sales or flea markets.
Hi Chris, I LOVE LOVE LOVE your comment! 50% I’m impressed, you rock! Linda
For those who asked about how I lost the weight. Covid in 2020, left me with lung damage and heart damage (2 heart attacks) during and post Covid.My only hope was to lose the weight. I’m ineligible for Baristric surgery so the only way is the old fashioned way. But the Bariactric Clinic was able to give me some help the first year since my insurance at the time covered the injectable weight loss drug. I helped me lose quite a lot of it. Then my insurance withdrew the coverage, so the rest I’ve been working on by myself. To help things along, purchased an app from the App Store called My Net Diary. It is a complete weight loss plan with a variety of diet style to choose specifically for your needs and a calculator for A calorie plan, and an indirect BMI calculator to track your progress. There are option for tracking weightloss weekly and daily tracking of medications, vital signs, fluid intake, can my favorite a food chart, where you write down everything you eat all day, from getting up,to going to bed. Technically 24/7 for those prone to wee hour snack runs to the kitchen. The food diary assists you with portion monitoring, a nutrient breakdown for every food you eat. It has an ongoing calorie count through through the day, so you know where stand,you can also use it to organize your calorie intake for 3 meals and 2 snacks without over stepping your daily calorie allotment. In addition to calculating the micro nutrients in the foods you eat it also divides them into macronutrients(Proteins, Carbs, and Fats). There are thousands of healthy recipes and a place to add your personal recipes or import recipes from other sites and on line cookbooks. There are hundreds of exercises from which organize your plan to calculate your calories burned and fitness level. It even includes hobbies and housework done, etc. it will interface with a smart phone and smart watch and downloads health parameters,and activities like standing time walking speed and steps taken, plus a running count of calories burned. Through your phone the entire app is accessible wherever you go. It has calorie counts for a great many restaurant foods, takeout items, and so on so you can stay on track no matter where you need to eat. I don’t drink but there is a section to track the calories and nutrients. You can input control levels for sodium, sugar, and Glycemic Index levels.There are dieticians you can chat with for answers to questions, a library of nutrition and health articles, and complete on board instructions for everything in the program. There is an online peer support group and a private Facebook Book group. At the end of the day, before 11:59Pm. You finalize all your input trackers and all your information transfers to a private dash board page where you can see how well or not your day went. Just the facts, no judgements, or comments. That’s your business. All information entered is kept private between you and the program. I did forget to mention you start by by recording your beginning statistics, calorie goals, fitness goals, and the amount of weightloss you want to achieve over a specific time period up to 6 months. You can begin all over whenever your needs, health, or activity levels change. It’s the best weightloss tools, support, and informational package I’ve ever found, and I purchased it outright 2 years ago,at about $50.00 although that may have gone up a bit since. Without My Fitness Diary, I could never have achieved, or maintained my weight loss. Do I have to tell you how highly I recommend it? I do.
Hi MaryAnn, thank you so much for sharing your story, this will help me and so many others. I’m sorry you have damaged lungs and you had two heart attack, wow, God bless you my friend. Linda