So far, this week has yielded few actual results. I have not had much luck in finding a good source of second hand clothing, shoes, etc. However, there are many places that I haven’t checked out yet. I’m still very hopeful that this second hand shopping experiment can work out.
Here is a summary of sources for second hand shopping that may be useful to anyone contemplating saving money (and the environment…and people working in sweatshops…):
1. Consignment/Resale Shops – These are everywhere. A Google search for “consignment shop” and the name of your town will give you a list of all the consignment shops in your area. These are a mixed bag and you have to check back frequently as they get new stuff in all the time.
2. Antique Store/Flea Markets – If you tend to purchase things that you may describe as “vintage”, “retro”, or “random” you can find many of those things here. I love shopping at antique stores and can spend hours sifting through all the unique items that they have to offer. Again, the inventory changes frequently and you have to keep checking back to see what they have gotten in.
3. Ebay.com – You can find everything on ebay. Anything you are looking for, if it can be bought or sold, you can find it on ebay and you can often get it for a really good price.
4. Amazon.com – Amazon also has a vast selection of used items.
5. Specialty stores – If you are looking for things like books, movies, or music, there are lots of specialty stores that buy and sell used items. Hastings is a good example that can be fairly easily located.
So there you have it, there are lots of options for buying second hand and saving tons of money. Give it a try, you might be surprised.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
An update from Chris
Eureka! Sort of. I had some success yesterday in my search for quality second hand clothing items. At the Goodwill store in Benton I found a pair of khaki pants and a polo shirt, so for $7.25 I have a nice “new” work outfit.
I really needed the pants. I have plenty of shirts, but they had several that I liked and that fit, so I bought one. That was my second hand impulse buy.
Surprisingly, I felt just as guilty for a $3.25 impulse buy as I do over a $20 or $30 impulse buy. I don’t think I’m going to take the shirt back, though, because it fits nicely into my collection.
I still have yet to find any jeans or t-shirts that I deem acceptable. I am a jeans and t-shirt guy and am actually very picky over what I will buy. I will spend hours looking for just the right pair of jeans or just the right t-shirts, and eventually have to compromise and get something that meets maybe 90% of my criteria. And this is when I’m not limited to what’s available second hand.
There are still many consignment and resale shops that I haven’t checked out yet, and I have heard of a few good ones in Conway. Also, as the temperatures warm up, people will begin having yard sales. So, I am still hopeful that I will be able to find what I need second hand.
Also, on a side note, I discovered that you CAN buy underwear and socks second hand. That’s right…USED UNDERWEAR. I am hoping that during this three month commitment that my current stash of underwear will hold up. I can tell you right now I will NOT be purchasing used underwear.
I really needed the pants. I have plenty of shirts, but they had several that I liked and that fit, so I bought one. That was my second hand impulse buy.
Surprisingly, I felt just as guilty for a $3.25 impulse buy as I do over a $20 or $30 impulse buy. I don’t think I’m going to take the shirt back, though, because it fits nicely into my collection.
I still have yet to find any jeans or t-shirts that I deem acceptable. I am a jeans and t-shirt guy and am actually very picky over what I will buy. I will spend hours looking for just the right pair of jeans or just the right t-shirts, and eventually have to compromise and get something that meets maybe 90% of my criteria. And this is when I’m not limited to what’s available second hand.
There are still many consignment and resale shops that I haven’t checked out yet, and I have heard of a few good ones in Conway. Also, as the temperatures warm up, people will begin having yard sales. So, I am still hopeful that I will be able to find what I need second hand.
Also, on a side note, I discovered that you CAN buy underwear and socks second hand. That’s right…USED UNDERWEAR. I am hoping that during this three month commitment that my current stash of underwear will hold up. I can tell you right now I will NOT be purchasing used underwear.
Teresa's Report
Hey Everyone~~
I haven’t forgotten about my commitment for the week. Actually, I’m doing pretty well.
Monday for lunch I prepared a small meal. Monday night I had leftovers my mom prepared on Sunday.
Tuesday for lunch, we conducted food demonstrations during a training, which consists of Cajun Catfish fillets, Raisin & Carrot Salad, Potato Fries and Apple Crisp ….yummy. :-) Tuesday night I prepared a mixed green salad with tuna on top.
Wednesday I prepared a simple lunch, and for dinner I made homemade soup.
Now for today (Thursday)….I forgot my lunch.... so my best friend offered to buy me lunch today… Yeah
(No money spent on my part)….
I can’t wait for Friday night. My friends and I have planned a fun night. So the 6 of us all agreed to bring our favorite dishes and watch movies and play games.
So talk with you later….
No Eating Out!!!!! Peace
Suzanne- Day Three
WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?!?!
Okay, well let me start by confessing…oh brother…I spent some money yesterday. I know, I know, trust me, I have already reprimanded myself. They were having a sale on clothes at the mall and I needed some new jeans and while I was there I bought two shirts and a pair of earrings. I KNOW!!!!!!!!!!! I am failing at this financial fast thing. But the thing is, I didn’t think about it! Only later did the realization hit that I had cheated on my financial fast. I am so embarrassed at my apparent weakness to spend money. Dustin has not been spending any money. On anything. I am slowly sliding down the shame spiral. But the only thing I can do is let the past be the past and do better from this point on. I will not spend money today. I can do this! I am down but not out--
Okay, well let me start by confessing…oh brother…I spent some money yesterday. I know, I know, trust me, I have already reprimanded myself. They were having a sale on clothes at the mall and I needed some new jeans and while I was there I bought two shirts and a pair of earrings. I KNOW!!!!!!!!!!! I am failing at this financial fast thing. But the thing is, I didn’t think about it! Only later did the realization hit that I had cheated on my financial fast. I am so embarrassed at my apparent weakness to spend money. Dustin has not been spending any money. On anything. I am slowly sliding down the shame spiral. But the only thing I can do is let the past be the past and do better from this point on. I will not spend money today. I can do this! I am down but not out--
Suzanne- Day Three
WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?!?!
Okay, well let me start by confessing…oh brother…I spent some money yesterday. I know, I know, trust me, I have already reprimanded myself. They were having a sale on clothes at the mall and I needed some new jeans and while I was there I bought two shirts and a pair of earrings. I KNOW!!!!!!!!!!! I am failing at this financial fast thing. But the thing is, I didn’t think about it! Only later did the realization hit that I had cheated on my financial fast. I am so embarrassed at my apparent weakness to spend money. Dustin has not been spending any money. On anything. I am slowly sliding down the shame spiral. But the only thing I can do is let the past be the past and do better from this point on. I will not spend money today. I can do this! I am down but not out--
Okay, well let me start by confessing…oh brother…I spent some money yesterday. I know, I know, trust me, I have already reprimanded myself. They were having a sale on clothes at the mall and I needed some new jeans and while I was there I bought two shirts and a pair of earrings. I KNOW!!!!!!!!!!! I am failing at this financial fast thing. But the thing is, I didn’t think about it! Only later did the realization hit that I had cheated on my financial fast. I am so embarrassed at my apparent weakness to spend money. Dustin has not been spending any money. On anything. I am slowly sliding down the shame spiral. But the only thing I can do is let the past be the past and do better from this point on. I will not spend money today. I can do this! I am down but not out--
Suzanne- Day Two
Shoot!
I messed up. Without even thinking about it, I got 75 cents out of my purse and got a soda out of the vending machine. What was I thinking?! I told you I would forget and I did! Great. I promise I am going to do better. I have done great so far, except for the previously mentioned slip up. I packed my lunch—leftover spaghetti. Delish. I carpooled today with my friend Rebecca—actually I drove but she is driving tomorrow. Yay me! I have a library book at home to read for entertainment. And Dustin and I are going to fix supper together with things that we already have in our kitchen. But there is a problem looming just around the corner. I am getting my hair cut and colored on Saturday. I have to do this because I am practicing hairstyles for my wedding in March. Okay, maybe instead of using my debit card, I will write a check and maybe my hairstylist won’t cash it until like Monday and by then, my financial fast will be over and I technically didn’t spend the money until after the fasting week. Would that work? I think so! :o) I am a genius…
I messed up. Without even thinking about it, I got 75 cents out of my purse and got a soda out of the vending machine. What was I thinking?! I told you I would forget and I did! Great. I promise I am going to do better. I have done great so far, except for the previously mentioned slip up. I packed my lunch—leftover spaghetti. Delish. I carpooled today with my friend Rebecca—actually I drove but she is driving tomorrow. Yay me! I have a library book at home to read for entertainment. And Dustin and I are going to fix supper together with things that we already have in our kitchen. But there is a problem looming just around the corner. I am getting my hair cut and colored on Saturday. I have to do this because I am practicing hairstyles for my wedding in March. Okay, maybe instead of using my debit card, I will write a check and maybe my hairstylist won’t cash it until like Monday and by then, my financial fast will be over and I technically didn’t spend the money until after the fasting week. Would that work? I think so! :o) I am a genius…
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Chris and buying second-hand
Buying second hand may be harder than I thought. For some reason, I had in my mind this notion that I would go to these second hand shops and find some really cool vintage clothes or other great clothing items that people just didn’t want or need anymore. I visited two different consignment shops yesterday and all I found was junk. Shirts were faded and old. I couldn’t find any jeans remotely close to the size that I wear. The only possibilities were dress pants and a few dress shirts. Although I found a couple of decent shirts, I didn’t find anything that I would actually wear. And, let’s hope that I won’t have to buy any shoes. There were NO good options there.
Hopefully, as I continue to visit and explore different consignment and second hand shops, I will find some decent sources of good clothes.
We shall see…
Hopefully, as I continue to visit and explore different consignment and second hand shops, I will find some decent sources of good clothes.
We shall see…
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