Thrifting Is Fishing

Whether you’re seeking a specific item for a planned project, or hoping the perfect item finds you and slyly whispers an idea for a new project into your mind, thrifting is the answer.

While not all thrifting trips may be productive, each presents the promise of grand adventure. People who fish know sometimes the best days on the lake end with a nearly empty bucket. No big catches, but maybe a great story: You should have seen the one that got away! So you keep returning to the water for the experience, and because you know if you’re patient, when you least expect it, a “big one” will leap out and practically land in your boat.

On my most recent thrifting outing I had barely dropped my line in the water when I reeled in two of my very best catches.

When Thrifting, Always Be Ready to Take Advantage of a Good Deal

Two ladies who are clients-slash-friends reached out for help finding a large storage cabinet for their business. With budget constraints and measurements in hand, to the thrift stores I did go.

My first stop was the Habitat for Humanity Restore. I love this option because the money goes back to their various housing projects. As I arrived, it seemed busier than usual with many items out in their lot. Curious, my hubby and I approached. Come to find out they had too much stock and were slashing prices to make room for new inventory. Slashed prices. Inventory piling up. Music to this girl’s ears! Talk about being in the right place at the right time.

I started browsing and came upon a gorgeous hutch — not big enough for my clients but it caught my eye. The door track was broken and it was banged up but I loved the look. One of the workers approached and said if I wanted to fix it, he would sell it to me for $5! Whaaaat?! I absolutely did not need this piece. But for the price of a cheap sub sandwich, are you kidding me? Of course I took it!

$5.00 is all I need to say!

Don’t be scared off by furniture that needs some TLC

Now I venture inside looking for a storage piece for my clients. Low and behold a perfect-sized armoire introduced itself. How do, ma’am? I do very well, Mr. Armoire.

After a little wheeling and dealing, they sold that big, gorgeous piece to me for $45, down from $120. Mighty fine fishing, indeed! Yes, it needed some TLC, sanding, and new paint but man, for $45 it was a no-brainer. Another great catch!

While in some need of updating, a great piece for tons of storage and for such a great price!

A couple of weeks have passed since that most excellent trip, and the piece for my friends’ business is almost done. My piece, however, is still waiting for its turn to get love and I can’t wait to work on her! Be sure to check out my upcoming videos that will show you the step-by-step for that makeover. It will be posted here as well as on YouTube.

Progress! This is, I think, the biggest piece I’ve ever done!

Teach Someone to Thrift...

The moral to the story is that thrifting for me has been the perfect solution to finding that perfect item more times than I can count. Once again, it didn’t let me down.

Remember that thrifting is not only a great way to save money, but it’s a great way to use pieces that otherwise may end up in the junk pile. If you’re persistent, many times you’ll find well-made items with a lot of character at a price you couldn’t come close to buying new.

I invite you to review previous blogs where I give you tips on how to get the most out of your thrifting adventures. To borrow from a popular fishing-themed bumper sticker: The worst day thrifting beats the best day working.

Now, what will you do next to love where you live?

Please feel free to reach out to us at The Redesign Habit and ask questions or simply share a project that you are working on or have completed.

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