National Thrift Store Day

If you ever heard Macklemore's “Thrift Shop” song, you can just imagine his joy on National Thrift Shop Day since even on a normal day he's dancing down the streets and praising his love for used apparel. And we bet there are many more individuals who find this an important day as well, especially since many thrift shops offer discounts and specials for the holiday. Don't hesitate to call and ask if any sales or specials are going on August 17^th – National Thrift Shop Day.

As you're shopping at the second-hand shops on this day, you need to remember a few rules to help you make the most out of it. First and foremost, although there are some large, well-known thrift shops, those aren’t the only ones. Do your research because you just might be able to find other lesser known – but not lesser quality – stores around your area. These hidden gems might be where all the goodies are, but you'll never know unless you shop around.

Be sure you try on everything you buy. On regular days, many of these stores don't have return policies, especially since you purchase at your own risk. However, it's even more important on days where there are specials such as on National Thrift Shop Day. Because the items may be discounted even more, it's oftentimes store policy to not accept returns on sale items.

Make sure you bring cash with you. Not all second-hand stores allow you to pay with credit or debit cards. In some cases, you get even more savings when you pay with cash. Plus, if you only bring so much cash on you, you won't be tempted to buy more than what is in your budget. Speaking of keeping on a budget, you may want to write down a list of items you need. This way, you aren't enticed by the cheap items on sale that will just take up space that you don't have. Don't get us wrong, it's fun to go spontaneous thrift shopping. However, these spur of the moment purchases cost you money that you may really not want to spend for items that you'll never use.

After you get home on National Thrift Shop day and bring your new purchases back to your house, make sure you wash all clothing and other apparel. Read the instructions on the labels or search the web for washing instructions on items you're not sure about. Make sure you wipe down toys, furniture and other solid items before using. This will protect you from any germs used items may have and will allow you to enjoy your purchases safely.

Bacon has a national holiday. So does pizza. Why not thrift stores? Let the hashtagging begin, for August 17 is National Thrift Shop Day. And how should one best celebrate this venerable date? By getting into the bargain-hunter spirit and paying a visit to your fave local thrift shop. Whether you are looking for some inexpensive household items for your new apartment, a business suit that would otherwise be unaffordable in your budget, or just something offbeat, new and cool, stores around the United States will be offering special deals for #NationalThriftShopDay.

Check out these 5 tips for making the most of the day:

The Early Bird…

Get up and out as early as possible to snatch up the good stuff. And by ‘good’ stuff we do not necessarily mean ‘cheap.’ As you probably know, vintage store and Etsy boutique owners regularly comb through the racks for finds they can resell at a significantly marked up price. They especially hunt for vintage, antique and name brand items. Beat them to the deal.

Back to School

Back to school shopping is already in full swing, but it’s not too late to find great bargains for kids of all ages, especially fall clothes like pants, sweaters and jackets, as well as school uniforms. You probably won’t score a Minecraft or Minion backpack, but quality threads, especially denim pants, cute dresses for girls and fall and winter outerwear is generally always available. Kids outgrow their clothes so quickly that they are often in top shape.

Make a List

It’s fun to just show up without a plan and let the hunting begin, see where the explorer spirit takes you: a mid-century chair in mint condition, a complete set of brand name dishes, the perfect trench coat. But if there’s stuff you really need, the above mentioned business attire or a perfect pair of jeans, whatever it may be, make a list of objects you really need, so you do not get lost in the plentitude of wares. This way you can shop systematically and efficiently.

Holiday Shopping?

Halloween costumes in August? Yes! August is a great time to stock up on holiday stuff that would be much more expensive in regular retail shops. The earlier you go rummaging, the more likely you are to find a lovely Thanksgiving centerpiece or gorgeous candleholders for a holiday dinner. Thrift shops are especially great resources for holiday shopping.

Tag It!

Everything is witnessed and shared on social media these days, so show off your second-hand bargain hunting trophies on platforms like Pinterest and Instagram with the hashtag #NationalThriftShopDay.

August 17^th marks National Thrift Shop Day, a day when seasoned thrifters and newbies alike take to the streets in droves trying to find the best items and deals at their local thrift stores. But with the recent surge in the popularity of thrift, it might be a bit more difficult to determine which shop is the best shop. Here are some tips and tricks specifically designed to help you make sure you’re thrifting in all the right places.

Determine what you’re looking for

Different thrift shops have different things, everyone knows that but it’s also true that certain shops cater to certain audiences. If you’re on the hunt for trendy designer clothes rather than antiques or old blenders then that probably rules out more than a few shops in your area. Try searching for shops specifically located in trendier parts of town to narrow down the list even further.

Don’t be afraid to try new things

It’s always important to give things a chance. Just because a thrift shop is located in a shadier part of town or doesn’t have the most inviting storefront doesn’t mean it won’t be amazing. You might just find some amazing hidden gems in the most unlikely places.

Utilize the Internet

We use the internet for just about everything else, so why not thrifting? Websites like thethriftshopper can be used to find the reviews, websites, addresses, and phone numbers of just about every publically listed thrift store in the United States. Similarly websites like yelp and foursquare can be used to weed out the shops with bad customer reviews.

Pro tip: Be sure to see if your favorite thrift shop has a customer loyalty program you can use, it will be much easier to keep track of sale days, coupons, and new merchandise that way.

Word of mouth

Don’t be afraid to ask around! Ask friends, family, co-workers, and even your local grocery store attendants what their favorite thrift stores are. You might be surprised at what you hear.

Be Adventurous

If you can, it may be a good idea to visit thrift shops in other areas of town and/or counties. The drive or bus ride might be a bit of a hassle but the shops you find could provide a much needed break if you’ve become bored with the ones in your immediate area.

Hopefully these tips are able to provide you with success on your National Thrift Shop Day excursions. Of course, it is important to remember that above all else, you should be having fun, don’t get too caught up in trying to find perfection that you miss out on doing something you love to do. Happy thrifting everyone!