Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Shopping Strategies - Part 2

 Morning all.  Here we are midweek again.  Time flies by so quickly.  Another chilly morning here - cloudy too.  We supposedly have some adverse weather coming in later today.  I sit on the border of rain vs. yuck!  I hope it stays rain or waits until later - as I have a scheduled get together today - some are coming a decent way to get there.

Today part 2!  Shopping strategies on other things we buy.  There are ways to shop and get deals - yes there are.  You just have to be patient and look around.

First look around the house and reuse what you have.  SO many things can be used for other things.  Do you need a new teapot?  Use a sauce pan instead.  Do you need a new oven immediately?  Use what you have.  Sounds impossible - Jackie has been doing without an oven for a while now and has learned to bake and create a lot of things.  (In the Land of the Living Skies II).  Do you need to buy those Swifter wet/dry cleaning pads?  No - use what you have!
I use old socks on mine all the time - the fluffy socks work great.  Spritz with water, vinegar, dust spray - and clean.  They are washable as well.  I often use old wash rags, microfiber or cut up t-shirts as well.
Get creative!
Old clothes - yours, yard sales, thrift stores, etc. for material to create with.  Our one really affordable big fabric store seems to be going out of business, so you may need to look at other ways of getting affordable fabric.  Even yarn from old sweaters.

Think about scratch and dent stores - salvage shops.  My stove and my refrigerator both came from the scratch and dent dept. of Sears years ago.  Tiny marks in non-descript areas - they work fine still today.  I also got my power washer last year at a discount/salvage buy-out store.  You can find things a lot cheaper than normal retail.
Going out of business sales.  Sure you may not have a store warranty - but there may still a manufactures warranty.  You can get many, many deals this way.

Yard sales, thrift stores, etc.  GO!  You can find all kinds of things gently used or maybe even brand new.  If we spent more dollars buying from places like that - there may be less new manufacturing.  IMO that is a good thing.  Use what resources are available already and for a lesser price.  I have purchased brand new small appliances (my new Nuwave air frier $10, my brand-new Soda Stream $15).  New clothes, home furnishings, yard and garden art, tools, toys, coats, etc.
I love the idea of keeping things out of landfills and buying them from another person.  People often donate entire households of items after deaths - and so many wonderful things are included. There is no limit to what you can find.

Vintage shops.  Around here they are kind of thrift stores with a theme!  Lots of neat vintage and retro items can be found for such a good price.  Some of the older items are made so much better than anything new you can buy now.  
Most thrift stores have a variety of clothes as well.  Lots of classy basic looks, goth for kiddos, Boho, vintage 50's - you name it - you can find it.  Never forget these places for costumes for drama programs, and holidays as well.  Dresses for prom - even weddings.

ASK!!  Put the word out to family, friends and neighbors that you need -------.  Odds are someone may have it, or they may know someone.  Often you can get things for FREE or for a nice barter.

Getting by.  When we first married - this was our dining room table!!  Yes it was.  We had expenses of remodeling, bills we came into marriage with, and just setting up a household.  So, we used this for a while.  It worked!  I used this for the 2 years I was living alone as well.  It served its purpose.  After we decided what we wanted - our parents went together and bought us a dining set.  But we were happy to use what we had.
After we got a 'real' dining set - this went outside and was used for a long time.

After my mom passed, I inherited her stainless cookware set that she got when I was about 6 years old.  I am still using it!  It is very high end and sturdy and still looks like new - well taken care of.  She managed to get such a nice set, because daddy sold it for a while as a second job.  So cookware that is about 64+ years old and it is still lovely and useful.

Just remember you don't have to have brand new or the biggest or the best of things.  You can get by just fine with lesser items.  Shop and look and have patience.
There are so many options of places to shop at.  PLEASE think gently used and save things from landfills.  
Take good care of what you and it can last for ages.  NEVER be ashamed of what you have.  Be thankful.  

Love to hear some of your stories about fun finds!!!
Have a super day everyone.
Be safe.



30 comments:

  1. I love this post! I see people buying boxes of swiffer cloths, and I cringe. There are so many ways to save. I’ve always thought a picnic table would be perfect in a dining room. 😍

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    1. Thanks. I cringe too. I have made my own forever. So many ways to save.
      Yep, the table worked just fine!

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  2. My dryer was purchased at a scratch and dent appliance shop a couple of years ago. A couple hundred dollars less just because there is a small dent on the side and a couple of scratches? Absolutely! My husband bought reusable Swiffer pads online that we just throw in the wash after use. I've got a Crock-Pot and a bakers rack that belonged to my grandma before she passed. I rarely buy anything new if it's not on sale/clearance if I can help it

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    1. You sound like a great re-user of things as well. I like the older things - they work just fine. Most appliances end up getting scratched at some point, so I didn't care. Can't see it anyway!
      Smart gal - sales are our friends!

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  3. I love this post and yesterday's too. It started snowing here yesterday afternoon and is still snowing lightly. Tonight they say it will change to sleet. So grateful we have nowhere to go today, having taken care of all of our errands last week.
    Our rescue mission has a thrift store and is it ever a treasure trove. I've gotten hand spun, hand dyed wool there that at retail is upwards to $15 a 3 oz skein, and I paid 50 cents a skein. New designer jeans with the tags still on them for $1 a pair. Lots of books for 50 cents or less, pyrex bowls under $4, a bundt pan for 50 cents, ribbon, baskets, other crafts supplies like stamps and dies, vintage sheets and curtains that were upcycled for purses. The list goes on and on. They also earn money with a recycling place so whenever we take our recyclables we never miss an opportunity to browse the store. Sometimes we have treasures and sometimes we don't find a thing. I do love vintage things and cherish all those things that came to us through inheritance when grandparents and parents passed. Have a blessed day. Cookie

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    1. Hope it stays safe there. Be careful.
      I want to go to your thrift store! Wow, those prices - never that low around here. I would love to find things that cheaply.
      We had a place to recycle metal and cans - but that has closed down, so that is out. You live in a good spot.
      THANK YOU for the card and the lovely note pad!!!!!!

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  4. Hope you have a good time at your gathering, and the weather doesn't affect people coming and going. Maybe we will have rain only.

    Excellent post! Reuse, recycle, buy secondhand or slightly imperfect. If you think about it, stuff gets dinged up and scratched after you buy it.

    I spotted a white kitty under your table. What a pretty kitty.

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    1. All went well and let out before any bad weather. It was nice.
      Yes, that was my first kitty Bubbie. He was deaf - life was a challenge - but he was sure beautiful.
      I love using it up and wearing it out. Yep, it all gets dinged up at some point.

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  5. Enjoy your get-together! I do hope the weather cooperates for you.
    I do enjoy a good garage sale, and estate sales are often pretty incredible, especially for vintage items.

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    1. We did and it all went well.
      They are such fun to go to and explore. You never know what you might find. Treasures!

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  6. We had a few inches of snow yesterday morning but today is just a bit of rain. I hope you enjoy your get together and that everyone can attend. It is so true about the quality of older items. I purposely set out to find an old set of drinking glasses because the new ones I was buying were expensive but cheaply made and kept getting broken. I've had this set for about a year now and not a chip. Have a great day!!

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    1. Ick snow! I enjoyed it and most made it. Those from further north didn't try to come in town.
      I just think the quality was so much better on everything. I agree glasses now are just so thin and break so easily. I have a set of 'faux' Fiesta wear - I will always keep. Dang that stuff is heavy.

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  7. Mama bought me a pressure canner at a yard sale. I bought a new seal. She gave it to me in 1970, and it still works. She also bought a treadle machine that still works. She gave us three girls treadle machines for Christmas in 1980. I love junk/antique stores. I buy to resell. All my lamps are antiques that I have rewired.

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    1. How cool. I got an old pressure canner from G's aunt and just bought new seal and vent piece. I still haven't been brave enough to use it!
      I love old stuff too. Cool that you resale items. Much of my house is filled with older items from past family.

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  8. It is odd, isn't it. One might think glass is glass, but I agree, the older glass seem to be better made. For sure old drinking glasses are more attractive. I have bought some old etched pieces at the Goodwill, mainly because they are pretty. It pleases me to have a pretty glass for my water at dinner. :)

    I also prefer the shape of older pyrex bowls. Some come with lids that can be used as flat casseroles so they do double duty. The new bowls are too flat bottom, hard to get things out of. It's fun to "upgrade" from a charity shop or a yard sale! :)

    MaryB

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    1. Yes they are much sturdier. Pyrex is so lovely, I have a few older pieces. I like that "upgrade from a charity shop or yard sale". I think that is fun too.

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  9. Wait, you mean there are appliances without scratch/dents? ;-) I love my double oven KitchenAid gas stove bought for 40% off. And the short upper oven is the one used 95% of the time!

    I love our FB Buy/Nothing group to gift away items I seldom use. When a request comes and I have it, I consider if I can use something else and gift it when at all possible.

    Thrift store clothing, next Ross/TJ Maxx and if I can't find a needed item, only then do I go to a bigger store. I detest shopping and especially online so stores are safe from me!

    We married in 1980. I still have all the pyrex and corning gifts used regularly. My original chef knife, bread knife, paring knives. What do people do with those 12 knife sets in a block? How many get used?

    Happy Wednesday all!

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    1. LOL - yes there are supposedly appliances without scratches!!
      What a deal you got. I have never used to free buy nothing site - I need to check that out.
      I love thrift clothing. I get more compliments and they all know me well enough when I smile - they say "let me guess - thrift store".
      I agree - I only need a couple good knives too. We even used paring knives for steak knives!

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  10. I am a scavenger by nature as you can see from my house, but I love it! To me thrifting is fun!

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    1. It sure is fun. Nothing better than a treasure hunt!

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  11. I love shopping second hand when I can, because I have found the quality of things made back then is much more superior to that of what is churned out today.

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    1. You sure are right about quality. Such a huge difference!

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  12. I am missing my oven, but still managing quite well. I do miss big batch baking of cookies though. Hmmm, never thought of putting a sock on my swifter, definitely remembering that.
    Youngest son gave me lots of his old sheets once and I have been using them as backing for my quilts. I may put the word out to other family members as I want to start using those for weaving rugs as well.

    God bless.

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    1. Well the fact is - you are managing. That is something not everyone would try to do.
      I love the socks on the swifter - they really pick up well.
      That is great on the sheets - they make great backing. Oh, super idea for weaving rugs.

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  13. I replaced my appliances 3 years ago. The fridge and stove were scratch and dent from an outlet store and the dishwasher was paid for by bonuses for doing my job well. My upright freezer was the only "normal" purchase and I got a deal on it. Being flexible and patient can win out.

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    1. Win-win. It sure helps you out and sure helps the budget. Good job.

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  14. Excellent advice as always.
    I particularly love the comment about bartering. I love a good swap of items where both parties are happy with the outcome. A fortnight ago the guys that own my favourite coffee place ( the one with the free table) had a sign up asking if anyone had a hutch/ sideboard they no longer wanted. Well I sent them six pictures of options out of our furniture shed, they picked one, I cleaned it up, they sanded and painted it and now it’s the free hutch. I got a months free coffee for that deal. You are definitely correct when you say ASK, oftentimes people are glad to get rid of big items if you are prepared to haul them yourself.
    There are very few new pieces of furniture in my house ( except mattresses) most have been “procured “ by me over the years. It’s not everyone’s taste, but it’s mine. We made do with crappy, until we found better, or could afford nicer, but hardly any is new. Our first dining table was a card table with mismatched chairs. I still have one of the chairs painted outside with plants on it!!
    Take care, Louise

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    1. That was a great swap! Both folks made happy. Yes, sometimes asking is all it takes.
      We bought some new items in 2002 - because everything we had was all mismatched from the start of marriage in 86. I still have and use those newer ones. Just because something is old - it doesn't mean you can't make it work or look nice. I actually like older items best. New things just don't fit with my 'style' preferences.

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  15. Would you believe my good pieces of furniture are 1970's vintage? We married in 1967 an started out with very little. Card table, college room book case, and donated odds and ends from relatives. In the mid-70's, we bought very good furniture (think Drexel). Bought the dining room first and the local store let us make payments weekly and no interest till the items were paid off. We then bought living room furniture, again the best at the time. They knew us and allowed the no interest pay off once again. Their 'books' were in ledgers, written by hand. We still love that beautiful furniture as it is traditional and classic. It still looks almost new. We have no desire to replace any of it. The family room furniture has been replaced several times. It was well-loved with 3 sons and lots of activity and many friends!

    Our bedroom furniture, king bed, 2 tall dressers, low dresser, and so on were from my grandparents' home after they passed away. Not what I might have selected, but very well made and works just fine. New mattresses every 10 years is all we've had to get.

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    1. Amazing. Great story - thanks for sharing. The older pieces were sure made well. I can totally understand keeping them and being happy about it.
      It is totally amazing what we can be happy with and enjoy - if we aren't concerned about others and their opinions.
      I really liked reading this.

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