Lucky you! You found my bonus blog.

“For me, I always thought thrift stores to be a lost cause. Thrift stores are good for finding something unique or just to browse for something you might need, but I would never expect to find what I’m actually looking for in a thrift store.”

-Tiffany Varner

As I share my journey with you, if you should choose to follow my methods…keep your thrift stores in mind. Seriously. For me, I always thought thrift stores to be a lost cause. Thrift stores are good for finding something unique or just to browse for something you might need, but I would never expect to find what I’m actually looking for in a thrift store.

My mind…has once again been changed.

Most of the things I need for these homemade recipes have been in every thrift shop…every time. There is always a hand mixer, crock-pot, utensils and some of the best glass jars weighing down these shelves. The problem is, I would usually just skim past them not having any use for them.

As my journey continues, there will be a ton of DIY projects like soap making, camp-fire cooking, solar living and so much more. The featured photo, excluding literature, was a trip to the thrift store for less than $20. That awesome bag was 3 bucks and will hold lots of produce! I needed a hand mixer for a future soap making adventure and almost spent $39.99 at Target the other day. Instead, I got the perfect one for a whole 4 bucks. Wowza! I recently tossed all packaging and switched to bulk or package-free buying and I’m always looking for storage containers. I stole those glass containers for less than $10. The juicer was a bonus for $1.  I also got a few other random things that are not pictured, like a meat thermometer and knives.

Moral of the story – Don’t Discount the Discount Stores

I know, from working retail, that there are certain thrift stores that actually overprice items. Beware of that. I remember times that I helped in pricing to salvage items that were last priced at $2 on Target shelves…just to find them at the donation location priced at $6. Not cool. Either way, you will know a bargain when you see one. Glass bowls, jars, utensils and measuring cups are not cheap in retail stores. Glass is the preferred choice for most of these recipes and typically a good buy in thrift stores.

Take the Thrifty Tiffy Tip and pay more attention to glass merchandise in your local thrift store. From food storage to cooking utensils, you will find a deal.