Since moving into my forever home 13 years ago, I’ve kept a running list of household needs — a living room chair, a bookshelf for the kids, and art to finish a freshly painted room. At first, I struggled to find affordable ways to buy the items on my list. My obsession with bargains and thrifting has been a game-changer.
While my obsession was a hobby in my 20s, it has become anchored in practicality and necessity after having children and becoming a homeowner. With kids and pets around, our home isn’t suited to expensive furniture. Puppies chew, kids stain or spill slime. I can’t justify spending a lot on items that may not last. Whether at Goodwill, a thrift shop, or on Facebook Buy Nothing groups, thrifting has become a true passion. The hunt for my next purchase or freebie is exciting.
I’ve always loved finding a bargain. Frugality runs in my family, and “Why pay full price?” was our motto. My grandmother and aunts found quality items for less with sales or coupons. We hunted for the treasures we wanted and needed and shared our bargains, never understanding the appeal of brand names.
I rarely buy anything new; when I do, it is out of necessity. For me, certain things are too intimate to thrift, like underwear, bras, socks, and bathing suits, so those items I buy brand-new. Other than that, I’m always on the lookout for previously-loved items.
Most of my home is decorated with secondhand finds
My love of bargains is evident the second you walk into my home. It’s decorated with beloved finds like midcentury chairs and stools, a wooden bookshelf, and Goodwill accents like a faux-wooden clock and fake flowers. Many pieces came from Buy Nothing groups. I turned a hallway into a book nook and study space with a free desk and chair. Thrifting brings necessities and character to our home.
This summer, I plan to turn our basement into a gym. We have a weight bench I bought for my husband’s birthday, a recently thrifted stationary bike, and I’m searching for a treadmill. I missed the last one on Buy Nothing because I responded too late.
Another treadmill will come along — people often give things away. I look forward to decorating and saving money on the gym memberships my teens have begged me for. With kids in hockey and cheer, it’ll get plenty of use.
My thriftiness has also helped me update my wardrobe and bookshelf
Thrifting has not only helped me update my home but also discover hard-to-find books, pocketbooks, and clothes. I recently scored a deep red Dooney & Bourke faux alligator-skin purse — an admired piece I couldn’t afford in my 20s.
Clothes, books, and accessories are my favorite thrift finds. At a local bookstore selling 50-cent books, I’ve found rare thrillers from my teens and classics I can’t wait to reread. When I find my latest fashion obsession — whether it is rich mom chic or a recent trend, like dog sweaters — I can indulge affordably. It also allows me to embrace and foster my ever-changing style.
I love that I’m saving money and giving items a second life
Aside from being fun, bargain hunting feels more sustainable than buying all the items we need new. In my coastal Maine town, frequent style changes mean people discard good items, and I’m giving them a second life in my home. I am happy these items aren’t clogging up landfills.
Having a family of six, thrifting has also helped financially. The money we save on furniture goes toward stuff our kids need or bills. As prices go up, thrifting lets me get more for less. Many cheap or free finds are nicer than what I could buy new, letting us get things we wouldn’t otherwise have.
My love of thrift is something my family has come to count on. Thrift has created traditions at home. “What did your mom get this time?” my husband asks the kids about new finds. I often find them curled up in the ‘new’ chair, using the thrifted TV or the free desk. One favorite find: mid-century kitchen stools, beloved by my kids and their friends during Sunday breakfasts.
Ultimately, my love of thrifting has helped me to create a unique and welcoming home for my family while avoiding overspending. Thrifting helps with my finances and makes me feel good about sustainability. It has gone from being a hobby to a way of life.
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