No lie.
Here's how it all started. The Goodwill is conveniently located next to the Target I shop at (like 2-3 times per week o_0).
So I stopped in one day when I was on the hunt for wide-mouth canning jars. After I found the canning jars I was looking for, I decided to take a look around. Now, I was always falsely under the assumption that the Goodwill sold junk...like ripped, torn, broken junk. But let me tell you...I have come to learn that one person' junk, truly is another's treasure!
I checked out the shoe section and found some toddler boy Nike shoes...with clumps of dirt on them, but nothing a good cleaning couldn't handle.
The price?
$2.99.
I generally buy all my kids' shoes at consignment shops anyways, but even this was cheaper than a pair of Nike's I could get at the resale store!
So I snatched up the shoes and continued browsing. I made my way to the kids clothing 'bins'.
These bins are intimidating....complete chaos. All baby and toddler clothing smaller than a size 4 is just thrown in 3 large bins. So you have to rummage thru the bins. Everything in the bin is one price: $1.49
I began my rummage and came across some really nice pieces of clothing. Lands End jeans in the next size up for Elena. Baby GAP denim jeans in Emanuel's size (for the fall). Some name brand long sleeve shirts (Gymboree, Me Giant, etc).
I looked over each piece and was amazed to find there were neither stains nor holes. I checked to make sure the zipper and buttons worked and added them to my pile.
After this first successful shopping trip, I decided to go again the following the week.
I continued to have success.
I have since found several pairs of denim capris, shorts and skirts for Elena for this coming summer and fall.
I've scored another pair of Nike's for Emanuel in the next size up from the previous pair: $2.99
A pair of Land's End rain boots for Emanuel (they will fit in about a year): $3.99
Gymboree jeans for winter for Elena: $1.49
Children's Place pink houndstooth dress for fall: $1.49.
New with tag panda shirt from Target: $1.49
After having such good luck with the kids clothing, I decided to check out the adult clothing.
I rarely buy new clothing for myself. More often than not, I have my children with me when I shop, so there is no way to quickly/joyfully try on clothing with a toddler and an infant (whom I usually wear in a carrier). Not to mention I've spent the past 3 years pregnant and/or post partum.
I went to the jean section, found my size and thumbed thru each one. I am pretty picky when it comes to jeans. I am short and not stick thin. For some reason, the fashion industry thinks short, petite women are uber skinny. I am not. So finding jeans short enough for me that fit my curves is a depressing task. There are 2 brands of jeans I have found to fit me well, so I usually only buy those jeans: GAP Long and Lean in the ankle length ($60-70 retail) and Ann Taylor Loft in petite ($60). Goodwill did not fail me. I found a pair of GAP L&L jeans in my exact size, checked them out for stains, rips etc. Next, I tried them on, just to be sure there wasn't anything wrong with them. They were perfect and already broken in. The price? $7.99.
But wait....as I was shopping, the Goodwill played an ad over their speaker system. Any items with a yellow tag were 50% off. I looked down at the jeans in my hand....YELLOW TAG! No way! Was I really about to buy a pair of jeans for less than $4.
Yes, yes I was. But I also scoured the racks again and found another pair of the same jeans in excellent condition...also with a yellow tag!
I am pretty sure I will never pay full price for a pair of jeans again!
I plan on continuing to shop at the Goodwill...and I will probably share my thrifty bargains here on the blog! (Hmmmm, maybe I will call it Thrifty Thursday!)
