5 Often Overlooked Items to Buy at a Thrift Store

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There really are so many items to find when thrifting.  Here are 5 unexpected items to buy at a thrift store.

To select well among old things is almost equal to inventing new ones. – Nicolas Charles Trublet

We are going to be upfront and honest…..we think there are TONS of things to buy at a thrift store!  Some things are obvious finds, clothes, books, etc, and some are not, maybe, so obvious.  Today we are hoping to shed some light on the overlooked items.

There is a little voice in the back of our head that says “What if you share this and everyone starts going to thrift stores and no good stuff remains?”  Yes, that is a risk we are willing to take….because we care about you!  But please leave some stuff for us, k?

OFTEN OVERLOOKED THRIFT FINDS

1. COSTUME JEWELRY – You hear stories of people finding something really valuable at a thrift store….like a million-dollar painting.  Yeah, you probably aren’t going to find expensive jewelry but costume jewelry is plentiful (you can see some of mine here).
2. MEDIA – Books are a given, but magazines, records, and video games are there too.
3. CRAFT SUPPLIES – If you are a crafter, you will understand this.  We are often optimistic about the number of craft projects/supplies  The result after we come to terms with the fact that we can’t do them all, we donate the supplies to become more organized.  That overzealousness is another crafts benefit.
4. LINENS – Oh, this secret is a hard one to give up…….Vintage napkins and linens are a great find if that’s your jam.  They are often very reasonable because all napkins are priced the same..not based on their age. Please don’t take them all!!!!
5. OFFICE/SCHOOL SUPPLIES – We can’t tell you how many times we have purchase entire reams of new notebook paper.   Thrift stores are a great place to scour for the mid-year supplies when they are no longer dirt cheap at the regular store.  Plus, maybe items you could donate to a school in need.  Look for binders, pencil pouches/boxes, packs of writing tools (pens, pencils, markers), scissors (ask to try first) crayons, envelopes, etc.  

BUY AT THRIFT STORE – BONUS TIPS

In these same areas also look for:

• Greeting cards/thank you notes 
• CDs – Okay yes that is so 1990 but…you know how you download a $2 song with no problem?  Well, CD’s are plentiful at most thrift stores.  You can get the “retro” album often for what you paid for one song….awesome right?
• DVDs – With live streaming, people are dumping these things like crazy.  Often you can pick them up for $1 or $2.  That is about the same price at downloading it for a one time use. And you know kids like to watch them over and over and over!
• Old books for décor, crafts (like these farmhouse books), collecting, or selling.
• PINS – If you go to Disneyland (World), the team members have to trade pins with you.  Look for pins donated at your local thrift store.  If you are familiar with the pins, it will be fairly easy to see a real vs fake one.  Now you have some to trade when you go there.
• Fabric is not only is a great price but often plentiful there.

|Thrifting 101 Tips & Tricks From a Thrift Queen|

Your local thrift store is a great resource.  Hopefully, you have learned about new items to scout out the next time you go.  

Be sure to leave your thrifting tips in the comments.

THRIFTED TRANSFORMATIONS

Here are a few thrift store transformations that you will want to check out:

• DIY Thrift Store Sign Makeover -Farmhouse Style
• Thrift Store Farmhouse Desk Organizer Makeover
• Updating a Thrift Store Painting

Thanks for stopping by today.  Our goal is to help make the most with whatever you have by sharing budget-friendly, time-saving, and reusing/DIY ideas for all parts of your home and life.  If you enjoyed learning about often overlooked to buy at the thrift store, we would appreciate a share on any social media: Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.  Plus, don’t forget to follow us as we share even more ideas on each account.