The Frugal Find: Persistance Pays Off

If I had to rank my preference when it comes to searching for that frugal find it would be as follows:

1. Garage Sales
2. Thrift Stores
3. Clearance Racks

Since I happen to live in a place where the weather only cooperates about 4 months out of the year for garage sales, I find myself wandering the thrift store more often than not these days. This past week alone I have walked through my two area favorites for a total of 4 visits! (This isn't always the case since I am somewhat preoccupied with my kids but I take advantage of it when time allows.)

I really believe the key to thrift shopping is persistence. Most of the time you will walk out of the store empty handed. Some of the time you will leave with something you like, and rarely will you find that "treasure" people so commonly refer to. When you do stumble upon that unique unexpected find it makes the countless times you left with nothing worth your while.

A few months ago I had one of those "rarely" thrift store experiences. I was out on a Mommy daughter date with one of my little cuties and we stumbled upon an accent chair with a foot stool that I instantly loved. I immediately checked the price tag which I was pleasantly surprised to see it was marked $39.99! After checking the entire chair for stains or tears and of course getting the thumbs up from my little shopping pal, it was purchased and loaded into the van before I knew what had happened. (Confession: it turns out mini vans are pretty much one of the most practical vehicles ever made.....although I am still coming to terms with that fact that I drive one.)

Mommy/Daughter pre-shopping "coffee" date"

Fast forward a few months to a date night with my husband. We sometimes like to wander around furniture stores after a meal out (especially those with free cookies.) On this particular night we found ourselves at HOM Furniture and as we were admiring all the fun pieces I spotted the exact accent chair that I found at the thrift store. Naturally, I made a bee line for the price tag....just how much was it originally? My jaw dropped. I am pretty sure I started jumping up and down with excitment. It was marked DOWN to $722.49 and that was without the foot stool!!! If that was Kohls they would have circled the number $682.50 in bright red marker and proudly stated that was how much I had saved today! (not a fan of Kohls but thats another post for another day).

I still can't decide what is crazier. That I only paid $39.99 for the exact same chair, or that someone would pay the original price in the first place. Still flying high from this frugal find!