Friends, gather near. Today’s post will not change the world…though it may change your little corner of consumerism. Let’s just escort the elephant out of the room, shall we? You have clicked on this post for one of three reasons.
1) You’re appalled by the title of my latest blog post because of course, it’s okay to shop at the Goodwill! You are rather infuriated about the fact that I’d even type such an obvious statement. I feel you. Stay with me, infuriated sister. This will not disappoint…I mean…I don’t think so, at least.
2) You have clicked on this little post in cyberspace because you are absolutely disgusted by the idea of resale and thrifting. You’d never. Just..Ew…you can’t even. Before, you decide I’ve lost my marbles, I urge you to stick this one out. You are in for a real treat! {I was once where you are now. It was kind of recent. Bless our hearts.}. Hang with me. Slow, deep breaths. I believe in you.
3) You’re not sure what the fuss is about. You shop there weekly, already. Another man’s junk is your treasure! Right. I get you. I hear you, Friend. I’m learning this as well. So, keep that enthusiasm and let us share with our other friends the good news that is the Goodwill! {The real good news is Jesus. Ditto. …now, let us tell them the second “good news,” shall we?!} I can feel your excitement already! Here we go!
Dear sisters in shopping, once upon a time in a far-away place, I was a working woman. I think I was rather skilled in my trade of educating young minds and encouraging young souls. I loved my job, loved my paycheck, loved my shopping mall stores.
Fast forward to the present. I’m a stay-at-home mom. I love my children but miss my paycheck occasionally when I think back on the simplicity that was the relationship between the debit card and the shopping bags. That was a simpler time. …and I was so naive and uneducated about my options. {Disclaimer: I’m not going to bash your mall shopping. I still go occasionally, too. Carry on.}
Do you know what happened to my innocent bliss of shopping mall meets the debit card? Well…I spread those trips out far and wide to limit it to a few trips per year, began clipping coupons, followed the sales, and decided that I could justify purchases at quality stores if the price was the same or better as the local (un-named) supermarket chains that also carry clothes…of lesser quality. I still wear those too…but my justification was essential to buying from the Baby Gap. I can’t help myself. My boys look cute in Gap hoodies. I’m ridiculous, I know…but I was winning at price-comparison. I lived this way for two years. Price is as low as the clothes I don’t really want to buy? Item is (somewhat) a need? Bank account and I can work this out in a wise spending manner? Score! Gap hoodies for the win!!
Perhaps I should disclaimer this a bit further because over-explaining is really the only way I communicate, in fact. You should know where I fall when it comes to materialism and consumerism. I am a penny pincher. I can talk my way out of spending money like no other woman I know. (Albeit my friends are shoppers. Still, I’m a champ at not spending. It’s all relative.) I’m not the most materialistic of girls. I’m materialistic enough to write this post…but thrifty enough to talk myself out of replacing my nude-colored summer sandals for a few years in a row. I threw them away when I tripped over the sole. They haven’t been replaced yet. So…that is where I lie on the spectrum of materialism. I don’t carry expensive purses. You can and I will compliment you and cheer you on! It isn’t my thing. I carry things I enjoy from outlets where (again) I buy a nice brand for the same price as a purse from our local supermarket. Supermarket purses are beautiful, too. I don’t judge. You buy it? I’ll probably think it is beautiful on you! My latest tops are from Supermarket USA. So…that sums it up for you.
Now, I pretty much fasted from shopping for a few years. I bought for the boys. They outgrow stuff. I didn’t sulk much at all…nor can I call it a “fast” because I wasn’t really giving God the glory or purposefully cutting back. I just don’t spend money that I don’t have. My husband and friends usually encourage me to buy. It’s that bad. So…I was pretty much living in yoga pants (because who wears teacher clothes when she isn’t teaching?!) when my good friend decided it was time for an intervention.
The Goodwill and I were introduced by a mutual friend of ours. It’s been a happy marriage ever since. I pick out items, try them on, give the GW a few small bills, take the items home to the washing machine (who kind of mediates the relationship between myself and GW), and come out smelling like a rose. It’s a perfect harmony, really.
For the first five minutes of shopping at the GW (as I call my new friend) I was hesitant and kept my bottle of hand sanitizer nearby for any unexpected germ-mergencies. And then I spotted her: a pink corduroy Ralph Lauren jacket with tags still attached! I’ve never bought much from Ralph Lauren but I know good and well, from visiting the store many times, that this jacket was at least sixty dollars for the original buyer. On clearance, it would have been at least forty. My price at the GW? $4. Period. Four dollars for that beauty. The ice was broken and it’s been smooth sailing ever since!
Perhaps you aren’t convinced? Well, do you know that our local GW and others nearby get regular shipments of items from Target?! Yep! It’s true!!! Items that were never purchased and have words like: Mozzimo, Merona, Threshold, Genuine Kids, Circo, Xhilaration, and such inside all adorn the walls and racks of the GW. I’m not usually a brand-girl. I share these minute details for the sake of the content here, but those words? Those words mean Target and we soccer moms love our Target! Amen?! Let’s make sure you fully understand this important information. This stuff was never owned by anyone. Tags are still attached. The prices were surely $10-$50 before. The difference is one little truck ride from Target to the GW…and the price. The price at the GW? It’s almost always $2.99-$4.50. You are welcome for this piece of knowledge.
Now…if that one little truck drive is enough for you to pay ten times more, I will still be your friend…but I’m afraid we are not from the same tribe. I do not speak your consumer language if you are still weirded out by my friend, the GW just because Target sent her some items on a truck. No comprendo. Nonetheless, I’ll still try to find common ground with you elsewhere. Bless your heart.
Now…if you are excited, I’ll introduce you to the shoes I just found for one of my growing-like-a-weed little guys!
Genunine Kids from Target with tags, never worn, cute as a button: $2.99!!! There’s more!
I recently noticed that I have considerably added to my neglected shoe collection. My most recent four pairs of shoes (with the exception of a pair of canvas sneakers that I had hand-painted by a friend in Haiti) are all from the GW! That’s right! You might be weirded out now…because I’m talking about shoes and you share that common fear of foot fungus. Let me introduce you to these four beauties.
Meet the new ladies in my closet!
Black Mossimo flip-flops were new with tags for $3.99.
Banana Republic slides with heels were truly second-hand and passed a very thorough inspection and some serious internal rationalizing before I paid $2.99 for them. $2.99!!! It’s a miracle! (Rationale here included the thought process that a woman paying full-price for heels at Banana Republic and passing them on in mint condition likely isn’t suffering from untreated foot fungus. Call me judgmental, but if I am wrong…there is a peculiar disconnect here for Banana shoe lady. Bless her.)
Next are black Merona closed-toe slides. She doesn’t seem to be matching many of my usual outfits, but alas! She was also a brand-new-baby off the Target to GW truck and cost a price of $2.99, as well. I’m not suffering from her expense and I’ve enjoyed her company twice already. We’ll keep her around.
Last but not least are these dandy coral and gold Merona sandals, another child of the Target to GW truck. I didn’t know how practical these were but apparently, much of my wardrobe is coral and gold. I’m still in awe of this fact. I wear them all of the time. Brand-new, happy little shoes, again for $3.99! Are you googling the location of your nearest Goodwill store yet? I know you are.
Lastly, I find things that are truly second-hand and are truly amazing quite often! I’m not one to post pictures of myself in front of the mirror. If that is how you roll, okey doke. I’ve done it a few times, too, for important occasions such as this! I’m going to need you to overlook my lack of beauty on this particular day. I had just met up for a simple summer brunch with a few friends. I don’t put make-up on for every single outing of my life. I resolved to eat quiche and iced coffee without any fixin-up on this day. I’m not apologizing…just explaining. Anyway, another small thing: if you see the arm of a good friend in my fitting room, do not be dismay. We’ve learned it is quickest to share the space. There you have it! Carry on, good readers.
Check out this second-hand dress! It’s probably not going to make any church appearances. I think I’m saving this for something fancier. It was chiffon and lovely and made my waist look small above my very curvy hips. It was true love for $4.50!!! I am saving her until the next fancy $4.50 occasion presents itself. I can feel the beauty of this relationship upon us! Can you feel it? Sure you can.
In conclusion, (that’s a phrase that one is never really supposed to use in an essay or speech…but we’re being casual since I just told you about my fancy $4.50 dress, right?) So, in conclusion…I should say some important things.
1) Goodwill shopping is economical. Dave Ramsey, you’re welcome.
2) Goodwill shopping is Eco-friendly. The earthy friends can explain this better than I, but buying second-hand reduces packaging waste and such.
3) Goodwill shopping is merciful and just. Say what?! Ask the humanitarian to your left, but I think she’ll tell you that buying second-hand ensures that our dollars are spent conscientiously without throwing our money into the wrong hands. (Ie: inexpensive clothing often comes at a high cost to someone else. Think of the sweatshops.) I’m still learning about this. I know that buying second-hand is a small step in the right direction.
4) Goodwill shopping is simple. Pick out a few items, pay $12 for a huge bag, launder and voila!
Go ahead! Post in the comments about your own GW finds!!! I’m sure you have your own stories to share. No hand sanitizer needed…and your bank account will thank you!
From my thrifty heart to yours, ~Courtney
I shopped at a local consignment store today for some baby things for our coming-soon baby girl we’re adopting. 🙂 I love yard sales too.
Me too, Kristin! I am all for making wise shopping choices!! How exciting about your baby girl! I definitely want to hear more about her! So exciting!!!
Love your writing style by the way. The title of your post reminds me of a conversation I once had where the other person was saying that middle-income people shouldn’t shop at Goodwill because it was for poor people only. In my opinion, I need to shop at thrift/second-hand stores to keep my budget under control. Just because my husband works hard to make a decent penny, doesn’t mean I have to overpay for overpriced material items and promote crazy consumerism. It’s being a good steward.
I agree with you completely, Kassie! In fact, Goodwill isn’t even the least expensive second-hand store. It is simply an option to be a good steward, as you said! There are plenty of options for second-hand and thrifting and many of those are even less expensive! Each person is responsible for his and her own consumerism and I agree with you completely, Cassie! The GW is a way to stay within my means, my budget, and still enjoy shopping from time to time! I shop other places as well, but might only buy a couple of items at another store. At the GW, I can buy three or four pair of Capri pants if my wardrobe really has a need! I say, “Go for it!” There’s nothing wrong with spending less. Have a blessed day, Kassie!
When I was a teen I loved 70’s clothes! So the only places I shopped was local thrift stores, I once found black velour pants with a red strip down the side, oh they were my favorite! I haven’t shopped there in years…you’ve inspired me to head back!!
How fun, Winter! I bet you were able to find several fun pieces with a 70’s flair! I truly respect teens who can enjoy shopping without needing a shopping mall!
My husband and I love Good Will !!! We think it is like a treasure hunt every time we go. When we decided to redo our living room we bought the big items (couch, 2 chairs) but all the small stuff came from the GW. Pictures, candles, beautiful clock, mirrors, and on and on. And we had many compliments on the room. My husband and I just look at one another and smile. And a big side benefit is that you are giving some wonderful disabled people a job. PS-I know this will make some people envious but around the Portland, Oregon area we have several Good Will Boutiques !!!! They are fabulous. You wouldn’t know that you aren’t shopping in a high end boutique. Visiting from RaRa Link Up.
How awesome, Rebecca! Good Will Boutiques!!! Sign me up! How fun!
I have been a thrift store shopper since college. I frequent our locals first because the funds really help the local community, but you can always catch me at our Goodwill on one of the biweekly 50% off anything days. Does your’s have that? It is AWESOME! My first stop is the pocketbook section. I got a great Fossil purse for $8 last year. It is STUNNING!
We also use cloth napkins to stay green. I buy them at Goodwill. I pick up a new-to-me set about once every three months.
OOH I also picked up Le Creuset cast iron rectangular grill pan for $2.50. They sell new in stores for $99.
Yes…I love the thrift stores and what the do for our families and their other causes. They are a blessing. 🙂 Loved your post!
That is so cool, Kelly! What a deal!!! I need to check into the bimonthly 50% off day to see if we have it! Thanks for the heads up!!