Today is National Thrift Shop Day! Did you know that the resale industry is a multi-billion dollar a year industry. According to NARTS.org, “First Research estimates the resale industry in the U.S. to have annual revenues of approximately $17.5 billion including revenue from antique stores which are 13% of their statistics.” I have been thrifting since I was a little girl with my mother, and honestly hated it when I was a kid, but love it now as an adult. Reasons why I love thrifting or buying 2nd hand:
1. Affordable way to update my closet: I love the fact that I can take less than $30 and find a few pieces to add to my closet. I once thought thrift stores were for consumers who were less fortunate, but consumers from all economic levels buy used, and not new because it is about saving money.
2. Supporting a charitable cause. When you patronize not-for-profit resale stores, you are also contributing to their different programs they support in the community. Examples of non-profit thrift stores:
Goodwill: Non Profit
Salvation Army: Non- Profit
ReStore: Non-Profit
There are also for-profit thrift stores which means they sell used clothing, but are not required to give to a charitable cause. Here are examples of for-profit thrift stores:
Savers/Value Village: For Profit
Red White and Blue: For Profit
America’s Thrift Store: For Profit
3. Saving the environment. As they say one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Sometimes we have clothing, furniture, and other household items that are in good condition, but just do not fit with our current style or perhaps decluttering. Donating to thrift stores or even reselling yourself is saving the environment instead of placing those items in the trash where they will eventually end up in a landfill. In my home over half my furniture was bought 2nd hand whether from places like the Restore, Goodwill, and even estate sales. I am saving money, but also saving the environment by buying used, not new.
Head to your local thrift or consignment store, and if you are in the DC, Maryland, Virginia area, these are my favorites here!
New Digz Consigment Crofton, MD and Upper Marlboro, MD
One Petticoat Lane Annapolis, MD
Reddz Trading Georgetown, DC & Bethesda, MD
Repeat Performance Consignment Pikesville, MD
Goodwill Ellicott City, MD
Furniture Consign and Design Annapolis, MD
Ruth’s Closet Owings Mill, MD
Also, if you check out my article on How to Consign and other ways to Declutter and Make Money!
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