a North Dakotan girl through and through, wife, mother and die hard Catholic.

Tips for Secondhand Success

There’s something special about finding a hidden treasure among the dusty shelves of a thrift store—especially when it fits your style, your values, and your budget. Whether you thrift for the vintage charm, the sustainability, or the thrill of the hunt, having a plan in place makes all the difference.

Here are five tried-and-true thrifting tips to help you find the good stuff—without feeling overwhelmed.

1. Know the Deal Days (They’re Real!)

Most thrift stores rotate deals based on the color of the tag or offer percentage-off specials on certain days of the week or sometimes even the time of day.

Here’s a general breakdown (though each store varies—ask your local shop or check their signage/socials):

• Goodwill: Often runs a weekly color tag sale where one color is 50% off. Some Goodwill’s around the states have gotten rid of these but I have found some in different cities that still do!
• Salvation Army: Many locations offer 50% off on Wednesdays and Family Day Fridays.
• Local/independent shops: These often offer senior/military/student discounts, or markdowns on holidays and first-of-the-month sales.
• Best time of day: Mornings (especially midweek) tend to be the most fruitful—shelves are freshly stocked and less picked over.

Make a habit of popping in on the same days each week, especially if you’re tracking a sale color.

2. Consistency is your friend

Thrifting is a game of patience. The best finds don’t always happen on your first trip—or even your tenth. But over time, your effort pays off.

Build a rhythm: maybe you check in on Tuesday mornings before errands, or swing by every other Saturday. Even 20 minutes can yield a gem.

The more consistent you are, the more familiar you become with each store’s layout, restocking habits, and pricing patterns—which means you’ll spot treasures faster. With doing this you begin to also learn what thrift stores have what strong suits!

3. Go in With a Purpose (and a List!)

Wandering can be fun, but having a running thrift list helps you stay focused and intentional. Are you looking for:

• Linen blouses?
• Wooden toys for your toddler?
• A mixing bowl to match your vintage Pyrex?

Keep a note on your phone of gaps you’d like to fill in your wardrobe, kitchen, or home. It’s so easy to grab unnecessary things “just because it’s cheap”—but intentionality is where real value lives.

4. Train Your Eye: Labels, Fabric, and Fit

The more you thrift, the more you’ll spot quality at a glance. Start by familiarizing yourself with:

• Brand labels: Know which ones retail higher and tend to hold up well (e.g., J.Crew, Banana Republic, L.L. Bean, Everlane, etc.)
• Fabric feel: Look for natural fibers like cotton, wool, silk, and linen. They last longer and often feel better on the skin.
• Stitching and hardware: Well-made clothes usually have even stitching, lining, and sturdy zippers or buttons.

Over time, your hands will know before your eyes do—“this feels like a quality sweater.”

5. Keep a “Maybe” Pile—Seriously

As you browse, carry a small “maybe” pile with you. If something even might work, hold onto it. You can always put it back later.

Why? Because thrift stores move fast. If you leave it on the rack and try to return, it might be gone—or your brain might forget where you saw it.

Once you’re done browsing, take a few moments in a quiet corner to go through your pile. Check for:

• Damage or stains
• Size or fit (if there’s a fitting room)
• Whether it truly fills a need or brings joy

This moment of pause can be the difference between thoughtful thrifting and random collecting.

Final Thought:

Thrifting is more than bargain-hunting—it’s a way of embracing creativity, sustainability, and slow living. With a little consistency, preparation, and intentionality, it becomes an art—and one that blesses your home and closet with charm, character, and story.

Happy thrifting, friend!