I am a dedicated thrifter! My best value was a brand-new, still in zipper bag queen down and feather comforter/duvet. I looked it up when I got home...it was selling at a big bed and bath retailer for $123.00 that day. I paid $3.50. This week I also filled out my tool box and bought the rest of what I needed to start my own Handy woman business. I. I spent $71.00 which included a Skilled saw and a brand name router with extra bits and blades included.
No malls for us. Most of our clothing comes from thrift stores. Household items come from places like home goods, target, TJ Maxx, etc. The only type of mall we go to is outlet malls and that's if we are buying gifts for other people.
I'm sorry about your experience, that shouldn't have happened. Often employees are left to themselves with no managers after a certain time of day because they believe that the store "won't be busy." When this happens, the employees left there try to clean up and restock. When we have nothing ready and people become rushing in we get backed up quickly and while trying to get walk in customers out the door, more call in orders come to pick up their pizzas that haven't been made yet because of those walk in orders. Every ticket gets thrown around with the pizzas and some might end up getting lost. If there's no ticket, we don't know that we need to make that pizza. If you are waiting on your pizza after 5 minutes still, I recommend going up to the cashier or the lead line person and asking them to make your pizza. We're too focused on the pizzas to look up and notice one person in a crowd of people.
A huge one in my book is please never spit in public and never ever make a loud noise doing it...it is so disgusting. Professional ball players are exempt from this rule, I guess since who is going to tell them to stop?? lol I have heard this so much and it always grosses me out and it is always done by men or boyish men...arggghhh ewwww. I am not the only one is bugged by this just not too many of us women complain. Number two no no is shouting across to people in apt complexes or trying to get their attention at large venues...come on, people, you have a cell phone...call their freakin phone, for gawd's sake...ok enough ranting...lol
Here's one that most homeowners don't know about yet - save money by switching to solar power. With typical payback periods of less than 10 years, you can experience decades of savings.
I have shopped thrift stores for over 20 years. From the days of having to wear suits to work, many times I scored brand new suits for $20 or less! I have always had great work clothes for very little.
I have bought everything from clothes to housewares to jewelery. It is super fun and a cost effective way to furnish your closet or home.
I think my best ever score was a $1700.00 designer dress for $20.00, still had the tags on!!
Great tips! I wish I had someone to explain credit cards to me when I first started using them. Regrettably, credit cards are just shoved at university students without any advice about how to be responsible with them.
I still shop at the local mall, just not nearly as often as I used to. These days, I buy underwear (because the cheap stuff doesn't fit right) and replacements for items that are so old they are disintegrating. Of course, I wait for sales and use coupons.
Since you are enjoying jam making and giving so much you may want to consider brewing "country" wines. After one year of particularly heavy dandelion coverage in our yard, I took it up. Then I tried violet. It has been great fun, and friends/family now put homemade wine on their Christmas wish list each year.
It started with necessity. My dad and mom frequented a place in Philly before thrift stores were chic. He was a sculptor. I never thought much about thrifts during my salad days, single and earning decent bucks in NYC, but when we got married and started having kids it became a real life saver. Who in their right mind would spend $30 for a pair of kid's jeans when they'll just outgrow them in a few months? Especially if you can find them in a thrift for $1.25? The rush in finding a wonderful, perfect thing for cheap is something retail shoppers can never know.
I only visit the mall if there is a specific store I need to go to but I don't like the craziness anymore and I definitely don't go to just hang out like I did when I was a teenager!
I receive credit card offers from lots of different cards / debit cards/ etc. from all of the reputable companies on a weekly basis, so this seems a little strange. I just rip them/ cut them up and dispose of them. I think this is an overreaction to something that I feel is normal for consumers who have good credit scores.
I'm especially gald to see #10 on here- don't take money out of your retirement savings! I'm seeing some bad advice floating around out there along the lines of, "Why have a big, fat emergency fund when you can take out of your Roth for an emergency?". Because that's stealing from the future to pay for the present and an unwise idea indeed. Wonderful article, no matter where you might be in saving for retirement.
No, I hate it!!! No fresh air, lots of perfume, and artificial light, high prices. I shop at thrift stores and single stores like Marshall's or occasionally Target when I need something. :)
I do still shop at the mall, but a lot less often than I used to. And when I go, I have a stack of coupons or offers to redeem, as well. I do love to spend the day shopping and only have to park once, especially on rainy Pacific Northwest days.
I am a dedicated thrifter! My best value was a brand-new, still in zipper bag queen down and feather comforter/duvet. I looked it up when I got home...it was selling at a big bed and bath retailer for $123.00 that day. I paid $3.50. This week I also filled out my tool box and bought the rest of what I needed to start my own Handy woman business. I. I spent $71.00 which included a Skilled saw and a brand name router with extra bits and blades included.
No malls for us. Most of our clothing comes from thrift stores. Household items come from places like home goods, target, TJ Maxx, etc. The only type of mall we go to is outlet malls and that's if we are buying gifts for other people.
I'm sorry about your experience, that shouldn't have happened. Often employees are left to themselves with no managers after a certain time of day because they believe that the store "won't be busy." When this happens, the employees left there try to clean up and restock. When we have nothing ready and people become rushing in we get backed up quickly and while trying to get walk in customers out the door, more call in orders come to pick up their pizzas that haven't been made yet because of those walk in orders. Every ticket gets thrown around with the pizzas and some might end up getting lost. If there's no ticket, we don't know that we need to make that pizza. If you are waiting on your pizza after 5 minutes still, I recommend going up to the cashier or the lead line person and asking them to make your pizza. We're too focused on the pizzas to look up and notice one person in a crowd of people.
A huge one in my book is please never spit in public and never ever make a loud noise doing it...it is so disgusting. Professional ball players are exempt from this rule, I guess since who is going to tell them to stop?? lol I have heard this so much and it always grosses me out and it is always done by men or boyish men...arggghhh ewwww. I am not the only one is bugged by this just not too many of us women complain. Number two no no is shouting across to people in apt complexes or trying to get their attention at large venues...come on, people, you have a cell phone...call their freakin phone, for gawd's sake...ok enough ranting...lol
I do on occasion when I get bored - it's not my go to place to shop anymore though.
The most precious in mine is a 2007 Platinum Eagle. I hope one day platinum coins become as rare as gold ones~!
Here's one that most homeowners don't know about yet - save money by switching to solar power. With typical payback periods of less than 10 years, you can experience decades of savings.
I have shopped thrift stores for over 20 years. From the days of having to wear suits to work, many times I scored brand new suits for $20 or less! I have always had great work clothes for very little.
I have bought everything from clothes to housewares to jewelery. It is super fun and a cost effective way to furnish your closet or home.
I think my best ever score was a $1700.00 designer dress for $20.00, still had the tags on!!
Great tips! I wish I had someone to explain credit cards to me when I first started using them. Regrettably, credit cards are just shoved at university students without any advice about how to be responsible with them.
I never set foot in a mall. Kohls, target or online is how I shop.
I still do but wait for sales and coupons before purchasing
I still shop at the local mall, just not nearly as often as I used to. These days, I buy underwear (because the cheap stuff doesn't fit right) and replacements for items that are so old they are disintegrating. Of course, I wait for sales and use coupons.
Hi Olivia!
Wow. Violet wine sounds incredible. Where did you learn how to make country wines? I'm so intrigued by this!
Since you are enjoying jam making and giving so much you may want to consider brewing "country" wines. After one year of particularly heavy dandelion coverage in our yard, I took it up. Then I tried violet. It has been great fun, and friends/family now put homemade wine on their Christmas wish list each year.
It started with necessity. My dad and mom frequented a place in Philly before thrift stores were chic. He was a sculptor. I never thought much about thrifts during my salad days, single and earning decent bucks in NYC, but when we got married and started having kids it became a real life saver. Who in their right mind would spend $30 for a pair of kid's jeans when they'll just outgrow them in a few months? Especially if you can find them in a thrift for $1.25? The rush in finding a wonderful, perfect thing for cheap is something retail shoppers can never know.
The first thing you need to know is that you do not need a credit card to live in this country.
I only visit the mall if there is a specific store I need to go to but I don't like the craziness anymore and I definitely don't go to just hang out like I did when I was a teenager!
After moving to Seattle and finding myself surrounded with awesome indie boutiques-- no way. Why?
I receive credit card offers from lots of different cards / debit cards/ etc. from all of the reputable companies on a weekly basis, so this seems a little strange. I just rip them/ cut them up and dispose of them. I think this is an overreaction to something that I feel is normal for consumers who have good credit scores.
I'm especially gald to see #10 on here- don't take money out of your retirement savings! I'm seeing some bad advice floating around out there along the lines of, "Why have a big, fat emergency fund when you can take out of your Roth for an emergency?". Because that's stealing from the future to pay for the present and an unwise idea indeed. Wonderful article, no matter where you might be in saving for retirement.
About once a year at Christmas time.
No, I hate it!!! No fresh air, lots of perfume, and artificial light, high prices. I shop at thrift stores and single stores like Marshall's or occasionally Target when I need something. :)
I haven't been to a mall in ages.
I do still shop at the mall, but a lot less often than I used to. And when I go, I have a stack of coupons or offers to redeem, as well. I do love to spend the day shopping and only have to park once, especially on rainy Pacific Northwest days.
I would like a home of my own, with my own garden and garage or at least a driveway. I hope it will happen in two years.