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StitcherThrifting seems like harmless fun and most of the time, it is! There’s the thrill of the hunt, the excitement of finding something one-of-a-kind. But sometimes, things get a little weird, and there’s always more to it than just good deals. So today, we’re talking about the side of thrifting most people don’t mention and how to keep it fun without going overboard.
Secondhand isn’t always all rainbows and butterflies and good deals.
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- All my black tank tops. They all serve a different purpose but they are all black. Because I get very overwhelmed at the thrift store and I tend to stick to colors that make me feel safe, like black. You know something else that can be overwhelming? Budgeting, that’s why we create our mobile-optimized spending planner spreadsheet! It’s beautiful, has all the tabs you need to budget monthly, allows you to see your financial picture at a glance, and even has perks like an opportunity cost calculator – frugalfriendspodcast.com/budget!
The Unfortunate Side of Thrift Shopping
While thrifting has always been Jen and Jill’s go-to advice for frugality, there’s always a price to pay, unfortunately. In this one, Jen and Jill poke into the other side of thrifting that first-timers and non-regulars should be aware of. This ranges from the cost of time (since it can be hard to find exactly what you’re looking for) to worst-case scenarios, like items being haunted, moldy, mildewy, lice-infested, bed-buggy, or just plain nightmares that aren’t worth it at all.
They recommend choosing whatever feels safer for you. If buying in-store or online means getting better quality, then so be it especially since with thrifting, you usually can’t return, exchange, or try things on.
Thrift Shopping Can Extends to Overconsumption
Jen and Jill warns that thrift shopping can be addicting because you’re almost brainwashed into thinking you’re always getting a great deal for a low price. That feeling is so satisfying, you end up doing it more often which can defeat the whole purpose of thrifting. Jill really relates to this. For her, it once has become more of a hobby, until she realizes she’s still spending money, maybe not as much, but still is.
Overall, they still believe secondhand shopping is still the best way to buy clothes but they emphasize the importance of being mindful of how we consume. Jen emphasizes that anything in high quantities is toxic.
Your biggest thrift fail or regret
For Jen, it is the sheer amount of clothes she’s bought trying to be cool and edgy. While Jill, on the other hand, is when she bought her sister’s maid of honor dress from a thrift store, only to realize later that it didn’t look classy or wedding-y.
Bill of The Week
Thank you Sonja for sharing your bill about a dog groomer!
Thanks so Much for Listening!
Thanks so much for listening. We love love love reading your kind reviews of our book Buy What You Love Without Going Broke and we especially loved this one from:
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I’ve spent a lot of time reading various personal finance books and I have to say this is hands down my favorite book. It’s so well done and it’s evident how much time the authors, Jen and Jill, spent on this. And I don’t just mean the time it took them to write the book - but rather the years of experience they collectively have between their own personal finance journeys and the others they’ve learned from.
I appreciate the holistic approach they take in this book. It’s not just another personal finance book giving you 10 tips on how to be better with your money. It ties in psychology and research with real life experiences and stories.
I can’t recommend this book enough. If you’re looking for ways to live your life in alignment with your values and simultaneously make sure your spending is also value-based, then this is the book for you. The outcome is quite literally to help you learn how to buy what you love without going broke (kudos on that title choice as well).
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