Recently, while talking about our kids graduating high school and venturing off to figure out where they fit into the world, we also found ourselves daydreaming about helping them shop department store and thrift goodies for their first apartments.
I am as frugal as they come. For the longest time, I did not have décor on some of my walls because I seriously could NOT imagine spending $40-$100 on a single item from any department store that would hang on the wall and require dusting.
Then I had a good friend of mine – while sitting at her incredible kitchen table – tell me that she got it at Goodwill for $12. My mind was blown. She is the crafty creative type, which I am not. But, when she explained what she had done to restore and renew it, I thought, wow, even I could do that.
Both of our kids plan to join the military – so we may only ever get to daydream – at least for a while. But these various conversations sparked some ideas for my own home and filling those bare walls that I wanted to share!
There are SO many fantastic, quality items that you can get at Goodwill for a fraction of the cost of what you would pay at a department store. So, while getting a bargain, you’re also reducing your carbon footprint, and helping your community.
Here are some items that you will never find me buying from a department store again – and some items that I will always check my local Goodwill stores for before heading to the department store:
Picture Frames
Lamps
Cups, Glasses, Silverware
Plates and Bowls
Tupperware
Vases of any kind
Serving platters and the like
Books, DVD’s and Video Games
Office Supplies
Name brand clothing & formalwear
Shoes
Board Games and Puzzles
Décor Items
Throw pillows and Blankets
Baskets of any kind
Storage Bins
Furniture
Seasonal Items
I am sure there are things that I have left off and forgotten – but we literally head to our Goodwill store for 90% of anything we might need before hitting up the local department stores!
If you’re going to take my advice and shop at Goodwill, you may as well donate something every time you go! When you shop or donate at your local Goodwill you don’t just get a bargain for yourself, you’re helping Goodwill generate revenue to fund valuable employment training and job placement services for people in your community.
Find a Goodwill store near you at http://www.goodwill.org/locator/. The items you purchase or donate may just make someone else’s day a little brighter. Do you have a store that is your go-to for stuff like this? If you haven’t scoped out your local Goodwill, I highly recommend trying it out! We even like to look for Goodwill stores when we are traveling. You never know what goodies you will find in other areas that you might not find in your own. Have some great finds from Goodwill – share a photo with me on social media using the hashtag #ShopGoodwill or #DonateStuffCreateJobs!
Renee Kemper
Mother of two active almost-grown-up teenagers, living in Arkansas with her Husband, she and her family are energetic outdoor enthusiasts. They can be found Camping, Hiking, Kayaking, and always finding new ways to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. A country girl at heart, but living in the middle of town, she has found creative ways to make the best of both worlds. Founder of www.thatsjustlife.com and contributing author of The Mom Quilt and The Mom Village, she writes and blogs about food, family, working from home, and their many adventures.
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Suzanne Fluhr
Monday 18th of December 2017
Uh oh. Goodwill sounds like my kind of place. I've been known to prowl Dollar Stores. I'd much rather give my hard earned dollars to Goodwill. It sounds like I could find some of the craft supplies I use, including frames. In the summer, I've been able to pick up some at yard sales, but again, I'd rather support Goodwill. We used to have a Goodwill Store close to us in Center City Philadelphia, but tragically, it was destroyed when a wall from an adjacent demolition site collapsed on the store, killing several people and maiming others a few years ago.
Haralee
Friday 15th of December 2017
I am a thrift store shopper devotee! Goodwill is big in our area too. We also have the outlet Goodwill. I wrote about it here. https://www.haralee.com/goodwill-bins-last-stop-goodwill-donations/ It is where the stores send items that don't sell in their time frame. Last year we had some bad weather and a couple of weeks after the weather cleared I went to the 'Bins' and treasures were found!
Renee Kemper
Friday 15th of December 2017
Haralee, I am so jealous! Our closest outlet store is 3 hours away. So, we have to make big plans to go (but we do it often!). I actually went last week just to get some photos of the great things I find for my posts, and left with a cart full ha! I could not pass it up. They had some amazing fabric storage baskets and I had been putting off organizing my craft cabinet because I needed something inexpensive to use for storage! (so, guess what my teenagers are doing during Christmas break... mwahahaha). Loved your post!