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organizing | diy | frugal living

Do It On A Dime

I NEVER pay retail for these three things…

by Filed Under: Decor & Furniture, Money Saving, Organization

I’m often told, “Your Goodwill is so much better than mine.  I never find half the stuff you do, Kathryn.”  And while I’ve gotten lucky a few times, there are three main categories of items that you can find at virtually ANY thrift store or garage sale to organize and decorate your home.  You don’t need to find a special store or have crazy thrift-store luck.  Here are some quick ideas to get you inspired and help you shop thrift like a pro.

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*This is not a sponsored post.  All opinions are my own.*

Comments

  1. 1
    Carol Hibbard says:
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    Kathryn, What a fun “get the creative juices flowing” video! My favorite thrift store find was an ancient 3-hole punch which punches extra large holes… for 50 cents! It’s sturdy, does a whole pile of pages at once, and because the holes are bigger, the pages rarely rip out of a binder. This has been well tested through 15 years of homeschooling, followed by another 20 years of use in my large piano studio with a plethora of students using it each week. I wasn’t looking for it, but I’m so glad I came across it and had the wherewithall to think it would be of use!

    Thanks for all you share. As a grandma, you remind me of my younger days with our 4 little ones, and how we survived on a shoestring. Bravo to you younger women who are making homes and raising babies now!

    • 2
      doitonadimeblog says:
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      I’m so envious of your punch! 🙂

  2. 3
    Linda says:
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    We were looking for extra chairs and found two for $4.99 each and a valance that we used to recover them for $1.29. We even found an end table for $12!! Love bargains like that.

    • 4
      doitonadimeblog says:
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      Me, too Linda!

  3. 5
    Penny says:
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    I’ve been having great luck finding Fitz & Floyd dishes at the thrift store–especially Christmas-themed plates. If you are delivering a half dozen or more Christmas cookies to a neighbor, or to a friend from your women’s club, put the cookies on a Fitz & Floyd plate and let the recipient keep the plate!

  4. 6
    Barbara says:
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    Great ideas as usual. I would add casserole dishes to your list of finds from a thrift store. Who needs to pay over $20 for that pyrex dish when you can buy it at a fraction of the price?
    I do not pierce my ears-I find great, often gorgeous and quite old earrings at church fairs. Yes, I know they once were beloved by an older woman who probably has departed from this world, but I am giving them new life and love them as well. By the way, my twenty eight year old daughter (also a teacher-I know you are and I am too) regularly begs me for a pewter pair of earrings shaped like leaves and another pair shaped like musical notes. I have told her she will get them when I pass!

  5. 7
    Janzelle says:
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    I have furnished most of my current apartment from Goodwill. When I had a house, my kitchen had very little cabinet space. So I found a beautiful baker’s rack to store small appliances on. It has a wire shelf at the top, so I bought S-hooks to display mugs that I also got from Goodwill. It also has a silk flower display across the top of top. I paid $24 for the baker’s rack. Retail would have been at least 8 times or more of that price. I also got a beautiful curio cabinet to display my late grandmother’s depression glass dishes. It was $15. I priced a similar one on-line at $150 or more.

    • 8
      doitonadimeblog says:
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      Sounds beautiful!

  6. 9
    Janet Adams says:
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    I’ve been wanting a globe for my mantel, and I finally found one at a thrift store.

    • 10
      doitonadimeblog says:
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      LOVE thrifted globes 🙂

  7. 11
    Robin says:
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    You name it and I’ve found it at a Thrift Store. One of my favorite finds over the years have been Christmas Teddy Bears – dressed so cute and none over $3 – I toss them in the washer in cold water and delicate wash. My home is decorated with Christmas Teddies during the Christmas holidays. Also, we purchase most of our clothes at Thrift Stores – for home and work. I NEVER pay full price for Gloria Vanderbilt jeans – $7.99 max if not less……….brand new or like new.

  8. 12
    RoChelle says:
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    I absolutely love nature scape paintings. I’ve found bunches at thrift stores paying at most $29 for a huge 24″x30″ framed one I have over my couch. I’ve also hung three others in various places in my house. Another great find, large potted ficus trees. I have a 50′ long screened porch that is painted all white. It needed some color. These ficus trees were perfect, put one on each end in the corner. Last but not least furniture, especially if you’re willing to spruce it up or make minor repairs. I’ve found end tables, desks, farm tables for the porch, chairs, you name it. Love, love, love a good bargain!

    • 13
      doitonadimeblog says:
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      Some GREAT finds, Rochelle!

  9. 14
    Linda says:
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    You name, I’ve found it.
    New slip covered couch, gorgeous Ralph Lauren bedding, down comforters, vintage furniture
    for cabin, Rare and HTF Pottery Barn quilts and duvets, authentic LV jacket for $12.99, Sold on eBay for $350.
    Armoire for storage , large wall mirrors , slipcovered wing chair, Manolo Blahnik alligator heels w $2400 Neiman Marcus receipt in box , sold on eBay for $500.
    I could go on and on but I live in North Hollywood, CA, probably the Mecca of thrift stores due to its close proximity to people who work for the movie studios and who have lots of disposable income.

  10. 15
    Susan Millard says:
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    My favorite find was at our local Dollar Tree. I found a tempered glass screen protector and a case for my cell phone for $1.25 each! The case did eventually fall apart and I now have a $5.50 one from a local drugstore that is much nicer but the screen protector is still going strong. I love watching your videos for all the great ideas you have and I can always use help saving money too. Thanks.. Kathryn. 🙂

    • 16
      doitonadimeblog says:
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      Thanks Susan! Have a great weekend!

  11. 17
    kathleen says:
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    Yesterday I found Mikasa dinner plates and matching salad plates…9 of each, perfect condition…at Goodwill for 99¢ each. Came home and looked them up on ebay, and cheapest equivalent would come out to $150 plus super-high postage. I paid $17.82. I’ve been looking for white dishes forever, and not wanting cups & saucers that we never use and take up so much space, so I’m really happy!

  12. 18
    Penny says:
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    I’m with you on getting rid of cups and saucers, or packing them away in the garage. I found some very nice Paula Deen mugs in turquoise and bought 8 of them. Enough for a holiday and plenty for my women’s group. Add more turquoise to the mix and with the white plates, very nice buffet setting.

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