Hey Frugal Friends,
Thrifting can be a goldmine for your budget, but it’s not always treasure you’re digging up.
Today on the Frugal Friends YouTube channel, we’re getting real about the downside of thrifting.
From mystery stains to safety risks, we’re covering the stuff that can turn a “deal” into a big regret.
👉 Check it out here before your next secondhand haul!
And if you do need to buy new, don’t pay the first price you see. We always check for a deal. That’s why we love Brad’s Deals.
📌 This Week’s Money-Saving Plug
Before you go scouring the shelves for a deal, know this: you don’t always have to thrift to save.
Brad’s Deals curates the best online deals from name-brand retailers so you can score what you need (or want) without paying full price – or digging through a bin of tangled cords to get it.
Seriously, it’s worth checking before you buy anything.
🚩 Thrifting Red Flags to Watch Out For
Let’s say you’re already elbow-deep in vintage finds. Before you hand over your cash, here’s what to double check:
1. Strong or Persistent Odors
A musty or smoky smell isn’t just unpleasant – it’s a sign of mold, pests, or deeply embedded contaminants. And you can’t always wash it out, as one content creator unfortunately found.
2. Signs of Pest Infestation
Tiny holes, black specks, or insect shells could mean bedbugs, moths, or worse. No savings are worth a home infestation or a $400 exterminator visit.
3. It’s Taking Over Your Life
Thrifting can be just as addictive as online shopping. And we can justify buying things we don’t need because the price is so good and the dopamine hit of finding treasure is so thrilling. That’s why we, and other frugal creators, take breaks from thrifting.
Even More!
⭐ Want to stay on top of every purchase – secondhand or not? Grab our Spending Planner Spreadsheet and start tracking exactly where your money’s going (and where it should be going instead).
⭐ And while you’re at it… we’d be so grateful if you gave us a quick vote in Best of the Bay. Every click helps spread the frugal love.
Stay savvy out there,
Misti
**Means this is a sponsored or affiliate section. We may earn a small fee or commission when you choose to try one of our sponsor or affiliate partners. But opinions are still 1000% our own.
