Thrift Shopping Tips
Find a brand-new-to-you coat, movie, coffee table, or record at your local thrift store or flea market. The Marketplace at Fells Point Blog is featuring our favorite thrifting tips so you can find something you love at a price that fits your budget. Thrift stores have the reputation of selling clothing and items that are old, out-of-date, and out-of-style, but that’s not always true! You might have to do some digging, but we’re sure you can find something you’ll love the next time you head to your favorite thrift store near your apartment in Baltimore, MD.
Know Your Budget
Most people think that setting a budget isn’t necessary when you’re thrifting, but you might be surprised. Most thrift stores offer items that can range from fifteen to sixty dollars, depending on the value of the item. Plus, if you don’t set a budget, you might be tempted to spend way too much money on things you don’t really need. We recommend bringing 15 to 20 dollars in cash if you’re searching for basic items and 30 to 60 dollars in cash if you’re looking for something bigger and flashier. Stick to your budget to keep from spending money on things that you don’t really need.
Search
No one goes into a thrift store intending to browse for 10 or 15 minutes and be done. You have to thoroughly search the racks to find anything good. Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty. We recommend going through every section and looking for something that speaks to you. You never know when or where you’re going to strike gold!
It’s also helpful to arrive at the thrift store with an idea about what you want to buy. You may be able to find something you never knew you wanted or needed, but having a purpose to your visit can help ensure you don’t spend too much time or money in the shop.
Clean
Once you’ve bought your items, it’s time to clean them. Make sure that nothing you’ve bought has any major stains. Wash your new clothes, wipe down your new furniture (we recommend avoiding cloth furniture — stick to wood, glass, and plastic for easier to clean items), and disinfect any other items.
Do you have any thrifting tips for us? Let us know in the comments. Thanks for reading our post!