Thrift Shops | The Bargain Junkie

BOOK LOVERS

March 22, 2010

HITTING THE STACKS

Public libraries are one of the biggest cultural bargains around. Not only do they offer books, magazines, CDs, videos, and internet access, but they have lectures, exhibits, classes, and special events for kids. Also, they have terrific book sales where the prices are low, low, low. Plus, I’ve never met a librarian who wasn’t willing – even eager – to help with my stupid questions.

I take advantage of the library system right in my home office. Let’s say I read a review of a novel that sounds interesting: this is usually a psychological mystery written by a woman that takes place in a gloomy English village. I just reserve it online, and my local branch contacts me when the book is available. Easy as pie. (An expression I’ve never really understood: what’s so easy about pie? I think pie is difficult.)

BOOKS ON THE WEB

I just heard about a book site that functions like Netflix. It’s called BookSwim. You sign up for a certain number of books per month, keep them as long as you want, and postage is free. Another popular site is PaperBack Swap. You post books that you are offering. When someone responds, you mail it to them and then your can choose any book on the site and it will be sent to you with free shipping. They also list hardbacks and audiobooks.

THE USUAL SOURCES

I get most of my books where I get most of my everything-else: yard sales, thrift shops, and rummage sales. I also borrow from friends.

GROUP READS

Many of my friends belong to book clubs. This is a great and inexpensive way to combine intellectual stimulation with snacks. It’s not for me, though, because some of the choices are non-fiction, and I have very little interest in the real world.

One day I’m going to organize a Shakespeare book club. I’ve read and seen many of the plays, but always feel that I’m missing a lot of it – especially the jokes: there are too many puns based on unfamiliar words. I need help.

By Annie Korzen | Posted in Acquiring Stuff | Tagged books, Flea Markets, garage sales, rummage sales, Shopping, thrift shops, yard sales | Comments (3)

SMALL APPLIANCES AT SMALL PRICES

December 22, 2009

Waffle irons are among the many appliances that can be picked up on the cheap at yard sales. I bought two George Foreman grills for two bucks each at a church rummage sale. We then invited a gaggle of visiting Danish relatives over for a panini party. Everyone selected their own combo of cold cuts, cheese, veggies, and dressings for a custom-made grilled sandwich. Everyone loved it – especially the little kids. And I didn’t have to do any cooking – always a plus for my lazy-ass self.

Houses in Los Angeles are not insulated, so our rooms are cold and drafty. If I turn on the central heating system, it reaches jungle temperature after ten minutes and when I turn it off, it’s chilly again right away. I solved this dilemma by picking up small space heaters for a few bucks at thrift shops. They warm the room I’m in without blasting wasteful heat through the rest of the house. Climate control is not an issue for my Danish husband, Benni. He has the interior thermostat of a lizard and never seems to need heat or air-conditioning. Lucky guy!

On those rare occasions when I do some serious cooking, I use my food processor which was purchased at an estate sale for five dollars several years ago.

I’m still on the lookout for an espresso machine for family visits. My Danish relatives are caffeine fiends and require at least five cups of joe every day.

By Annie Korzen | Posted in House and Garden | Tagged garage sales, rummage sales, small appliances, thrift shops, yard sales | Comments (0)

FASHIONISTA BARGAINISTA: PART FOUR

November 10, 2009

THRIFT SHOPS: USED IS THE NEW BLACK

I’ve seen TV actresses and models prowling the racks at Goodwill. Most thrift stores have regular sales, senior discounts and 2-for-1 days. My fave is a chain in California and Florida called Out Of The Closet. The proceeds go towards helping Aids patients. (By the way, the Alaska Out Of The Closet Sarah Palin favors is not a thrift shop: it is a for/profit consignment shop that was illegally infringing on my store’s registered trademark.)

Every Sunday at OOTC, many items are reduced to one dollar. Needless to say, I only shop there on Sundays. I get there when the doors open at 10, because the competition is fierce. Here are some of my one-buck treasures:

•   RALPH LAUREN black velvet evening trousers, which I paired with
•   A HARARI silk top when hosting my son’s engagement party.
•   A DIANE VON FURSTENBERG floral wrap dress, which I’ve used so many times that by now each wearing costs about a nickel.
•   Zillions of CP SHADES and CHICO’s separates for those comfy but still-a-little-pretty days.
•   A 1950s smoky mauve lace cocktail dress. I’m still waiting for the right occasion to wiggle into this hot little number. I may have to lose 20 pounds first – and pull in my tummy with the Spanx I bought on Ebay.
•   A WILSON’S tan suede blazer for my husband, Benni. First time out, he managed to dip his sleeve into a bowl of tomato soup, but at these prices, who cares? Dollar clothing gives new meaning to the phrase, “Easy come – easy go.”

And, depending on the salesperson, they sometimes add a 10% senior discount. I’m serious: ninety cents for a suede jacket. I am a frugalista GENIUS!

HOSPITAL AND CHURCH STORES ARE CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP

I was spending a few weeks in New York when the early spring weather suddenly turned unseasonably cold and I hadn’t packed any winter clothes. I wandered into a church thrift store that was having a half-price sale on all winter coats. I found a barely used fur-lined raincoat for ten bucks. That puppy kept me toasty warm while the March winds blew. Yes, I sometimes wear fur. There’s nothing warmer, and down coats makes you look like a king-size duvet on legs. Besides, I eat very little meat.