My four-year-old daughter LOVES looking for the 50% off tags. She’s wearing a plaid GAP skirt and jacket that we purchased at Goodwill last year.
We never go to the mall. And we rarely go to Target. The two most common places for us to shop are Amazon.com and Goodwill. We do so much shopping at thrift shops like Goodwill hat I thought every month, I’d share with you the items we bought secondhand and how much we saved!
This month we did pretty good – I’m getting really picky about the things we buy. Because no matter how good of deal it is – it’s not really a deal if you don’t need it, right? And I’ve been on a downsizing kick lately – so I’m trying to be even more intentional about the things we bring into our house.
Monopoly Star Wars Trilogy edition – $3.99
This same game is listed on Amazon for $99 – Monopoly: Star Wars Original Trilogy Edition with 8 Collectible Pewter Star Wars Trilogy Themed Tokens, but I think that’s a bit inflated. 
Savings = $26.01 plus tax
We have played this game a half-dozen times in the last week. The kids LOVE it and it’s been a great addition to the board game line-up.
Boys Osh Kosh shirt - $3.99 – 50% off colored tag = $1.99
Retail price = about $12 – $15
Savings = $10 plus tax
Boys GAP Polo – $4.99 – 50% off colored tag = $2.50
Retail price = $18.95
Savings = $16.45 plus tax
Under Armour Long-sleeve Shirt – $3.99
Retail price = $27.99
Savings = $24 plus tax
Old Navy boys jeans – $4.99 – 50% off colored tag = $2.50
I don’t usually buy Old Navy brand items at thrift shops – because you can usually find them for new for not much more than used prices. But my son really needed new jeans and these looked in great shape. For $2.50 I couldn’t pass them up.
Retail price = $15 (on sale)
Savings = $12.50 plus tax
Strawberry Shortcake puzzle – $1.29
Retail price = $7.50
Savings = $6.21 plus tax
My daughter LOVES puzzles and I can’t imagine buying them new when Goodwill has them for $1.29 – and sometimes less if they are part of the colored tag sale.
I really, really needed new jeans and I lucked out this month – finding TWO pairs of brand-name jeans for $13.98. If I had purchased the jeans new I would have spend $145 plus tax on that amount (closer to $160 with tax)
Lane Bryant Tighter Tummy Technology women’s jeans – $5.99
Plus Size Straight fit bootcut jean with Tighter Tummy Technology – $74.95
Savings = $69
And let me just say – these are the most comfortable jeans – I really love them.
Coldwater Creek, women’s jeans – $7.99 – 50% off tag color = $3.99!
The jeans are priced $79.99 on the Coldwater Creek website
Savings = $76
Total spent = $26.24
Total saved by not purchasing at retail prices = $240.17
So those are our Goodwill treasures for January. I’m not sure we’ll have much next month to post about – because I really want to decrease the things we have in our house. But I imagine we won’t be able to stay away from Goodwill completely because we do love the hunt and we do find some great deals.
Here are some of my tips for thrift shopping:
Have a list of what you’re looking for. Thrift shops can be overwhelming – but have a plan, for example looking for girls jeans or pants, and you’ll find yourself much less overwhelmed and your success rate goes up.
Make sure to look on multiple racks, even if it’s not the size you’re looking for. I often find the treasures accidentally placed in the wrong size grouping.
Look a size up. Different brands fit differently. Look a size or two larger and you can either buy ahead of find an item that will fit, even though the size is larger.
Look closely for stains, snags, frays. Take the time to look over the clothing. Hold it up to the light. Do you see grease or food stains? Fraying? Missing Buttons, Tears?
Pay attention to the tag color on sale. Often thrift stores will discount a particular tag color.
Watch for coupons and sale days. Many thrift stores have a sales calendar available (I know Goodwill does), which tells you what tags are on sale when. Military and seniors can often save an additional percent. My local Tacoma Goodwill branch has a Facebook Friday coupon (every Friday) for 25% off a $20 purchase.
Try it on to be certain. If you can, try on clothing at the store – they usually have dressing rooms! Check a store’s return policy.
Go often. There are many times I stop into a thrift shop and walk out empty handed. It’s a treasure hunt that is sometimes fruitful and sometimes not. Be patient and you’ll find the deals!
Have you found any great secondhand deals lately?
Send in your secondhand treasures and if I feature your score here on the blog, you’ll get a $10 Amazon gift card!
I’ll be featuring one secondhand score each Sunday
If I feature your thrift-store or garage sale treasure here on the blog you’ll get a $10 Amazon gift card!
Please email me a photo at thehive@queenbeecoupons.com – include in the email a short description of what you found secondhand, what you paid for it and what you think it retails for. Use subject line Secondhand Treasure when you send the email.
Try to take a photo that is not blurry and is in good light (try natural light, no flash, if possible). The better your photo the more likely it will be to make it on the site. People want to see what you got!
If you bought something secondhand and restored it or improved it somehow – I’d love before and after photos!
The post What we bought secondhand in January 2015 appeared first on Queen Bee Coupons & Savings.