Do you have any thrifting secrets to share? 🤫 Comment below and if you want to see an empty house tour, you can comment with the word HOUSE or the 🏡 emoji. Thanks for watching :)
Sometimes the charity shop has to be appreciated like a museum. You see beautiful stuff, wonderful items that evoke memories, but you don't have to bring everything
What I have learned in this journey is that the first step isn’t to declutter items that you own…it is to stop the influx of items coming in to our homes. 🙏🏽
That's what I try to do with most things. If I have to think about it longer than 2-5min then its a NO. And even then if while shopping I did say yes but keep wondering if I should then it goes back.
I love to shop thrift, but I'm A-OK about leaving empty-handed. It's something of a challenge that I set for myself, going home with a Fabulous Find - or nothing at all. 😊
I put stuff into my cart and do a final sort before I pay. Sometimes, I find things that are better than what I picked up first. It's also too easy to get over enthused about the bargains when you begin.
Regarding people taking things from your cart when you're trying on clothes: I would definitely try on clothes first thing when you get to the store while your cart is empty. That way there's nothing to "steal".
I'm a thrift store shopper, and my rule is what I call one in one out. For example I saw this mid century modern end table and I could not leave without it because it matches the aesthetic of my house. When I brought it home I removed the old end table out of my house to be given away for free to whoever may need it.
What a great episode! I am a minimalist too, and now, when I go to a thrift store, I am OK with spending an hour in the store and walking out without having purchased anything. Thrifting can be so relaxing; cheap therapy. 🌷
This reminds me of what my mother and I would do a couple of times a month. Go downtown and go "window shopping." We would get ideas for clothing, specific items to watch for a sale on, and as you said, relaxing fun. I do the same now looking online but it lacks the exercise and comradery. Great memories.
I think one of the best de cluttering/minimalist things to do is if you are going to a thrift store take some things do donate. An item for an item. Esp. if its a charitable thrift store. If you have a list of 5 items you want to buy go around your place and look for 5 items you can live without.
There’s something to be said about completely redefining the way you go about appreciating things. Maybe the memory of the jello molds lives on in the space they occupy in the store. You refreshed the memory by holding them and creating a new memory shelf of them in the store. You don’t need to move them into your interior space or exchange money for that. Maybe this new memory shelf is healing, or heartwarming, in a new way.
I met three sisters a long time ago and they were expert thrift store clothes shoppers, following in the steps of their mother and grandmother. They could identify every stain and knew how to remove it, and were mending and restore queens. One of them got her beautiful, pure silk wedding dress from the fifties for 30 dollars, years before she even knew her husband. And her sisters all wore the same dress with tweaks they all did to it to make it different. I'm sure their daughters will wear that same dress.
The "fantasy self" is so real! I've tried so many times to try nice shoes that I end up giving up after wearing them for hours, making my girl friends very happy. It helps to make peace with your looks and body type
Looking forward to the series. I would like a haul video of what you buy for the new house and YES to a house tour. I will never be a minimalist but I am decluttering and learn a lot from you. I won't buy upholstered furniture or throw pillows or suitcases because of fear of bedbugs.
Most of my possessions now are thrifted or second-hand. YES to the idea that if you don't 100% LOVE it, it's a no. I've also now arrived at the point where I'm not taking on any more projects. If a button needs to be replaced or sewn back on, no...worn elbows in a camel hair blazer are not getting patched, I'll get a new used one with good elbows...no more fixing moth holes in cashmere...no more buying something so I can clean the stain...the most I'll do is take wool pants to the tailor where she can fit them to my height. That's it.
I have been thrift shopping since I was a child, and you are so right about prices. Some stores are great, others are not worth a second visit, and some are in between. A great place to thrift items other than clothing are (Habitat for Humanity) Restore stores. My husband and I built a farmhouse and all of our cabinetry and most of our furniture came from Restore (otherwise we already owned what we needed). Like other thrift stores, prices can vary and tend to be higher the closer you get to a bigger city, at least in our experience. I must say though, that I have never had the experience of someone taking things out of my cart in a thrift store, probably because we live in a rural area. One thing that would be great for stores to bring back is a book exchange program; when I was young, you could bring in 2-3 books that you owned, and trade them for 1 book that the store had.
Hi Marissa, Thank you for the tips. However, just to mention something about bed bugs. They are all over, including clothes and wicker items everywhere they can live and multiply. My advice to you and everyone who goes thrifting, is thst if you have a garage or if you live in a neighborhood where they don't take things, leave it out of the home, put it under the sun all day especially now in the summer where it's very hot, then, leave it in the middle of the garage where if there is something thst would crawl out of it, you will be able to see it and treat it accordingly. For garments and small items like linen, throw pillows, etc. 2 or 3 thorough hot wash cycles will do the trick.
If you get a little uncomfortable trying on clothes in the aisles I measured my favorite pants/skirts with measuring tape (the sewing kind) then I bring it to the store with me so I'll at least know if it'll fit or not. :) especially since women's sizes for different brands are unreliable.
I loved the format of this video, SO refreshing to see someone thrift shopping with intention and not shoving it all in the trolley! I sometimes hold onto an item I like as I walk around the shop and then just before heading to pay I look at each item again in my hand, most end up being put back but I still get the dopamine hit of shopping, but not the guilt of purchasing unwanted items or bringing home new clutter!
I volunteer at a small country thrift store in Canada and it’s so easy to “fall in love “ or make “impulsive”buys working there. Then my daughter told me the one in two things out plus I need to know where it is going in my house and do I have a “home” for it. I’m a sucker for books. I love old books, cookbooks. Can you do a series on how a minimalist would handle this problem. I’ve got rid of a lot already because we moved into a very small house and I wanted to display them or is that considered clutter. Im looking forward to more in this series.
I would have loved to see your husbands expression about either what you bought or how much you saved. I liked the cups you didn't buy, but the color was very old fashion classic stoneware. It would have been hard for me to pass up if I needed them - but I don't. It's shocking how ruthless and competitive other thrifters can be. Fun Video!
I'm always tempted to buy those brown and off-white ceramic mugs at drift stores. Then I realise it's nostalgia more than anything else, because my parents and grandparents have had those mugs.
And maybe I have a tip, or a mindset, related to the whole nostalgia thing. Sometimes I treat drift stores like museums of past trends and designs, so I won't be tempted to buy every item I feel nostalgic about. The things belong where they are and I can come back to view them without having to take them home (unless I actually need them).
House tour, yes please! And, please show us the items you purchased and perhaps how you styled them in your home. I would love to see those organizers on your desk. And, why not bake us a casserole in your new dish :)
I’m a minimalist also and keep a running list. This has helped immensely. Once I got a 14k white gold ring with a pearl and diamond chips for $10. Although I didn’t need it and it wasn’t on my list, I have no regrets purchasing it.
I’ve heard from a family member that the Habitat for Humanity in Skokie has really great furniture pieces. Also, have you joined your local Buy Nothing group? You can get lots of great home items for free from your fellow neighbors. I would also drive around your local universities this time of year, end of the semester, as lots of grads are moving out of their apartments and just leave stuff out on the street. Lastly, there’s a free clothing swap at Uncommon Closet on June 26! Congrats on your new home! Can’t wait to see! 🏡🩷
Yesss. I'm in North Carolina, but we've found some really fantastic things at several of the Habitat for Humanity ReStores here. They also tend to have a LOT of furniture items, better overall quality, and good prices. Edit to add: oh, and there are also some really awesome items from the Buy Nothing groups, but it definitely depends on the area. Before I moved, there was a CONSTANT flow of amazing items. My new area never has anything 😢
I love this. Usually we see ppl decluttering. But your videos are showing how you shop as a Minimalist. I love how you didn't buy the cups because they were cheap and were microwave & oven safe. You didn't like the color and neither did you spouse. (They were ugly lol) . You left them to buy something you love. Its the intentional purchases as a Minimalist, even with the clear pan you went with the pricier one because it fit you best. I'm looking forward to this series. Welcome back to the states as a homeowner!
Great point about knowing your prices. Where I live, the second hand stores have things that are donated locally, at no cost to the store to acquire the items, however they price things higher than it cost the person in the first place. Recently, I had some good quality items to donate, however instead of selling them or bringing them to a second hand store, I put them out for our municipality’s ‘curbside giveaway’ weekend. I really wish that they did it a couple of times a year (Spring and Fall) instead of just once (Spring).
I’d like to hear about how your family deals with comparison, especially now you’re setting up home in the US. Do your boys gets comments from their friends? Do you find people try and give you stuff because they think you lack in some way? For example, I do capsule wardrobes for my kids but then family will buy them new outfits after seeing them in the same clothes a few times
Great tips! I always put my purse in the grocery part of the cart, never in the seat. I've had someone comment on something I found. If I had been on the fence about it, I would've let her take it. I watch my cart like a hawk and always throw a piece of clothing over my possible purchases. Then I do a quick add up/edit before I go to check out. Thrift stores are a great place to look for replacement items like the plate from the set that is chipped/broken, etc.
Good grief; that fish mold brings back memories of my childhood. I remember my mom had one of those... As for clothing, having a list of garment measurements of items that fit well (and bringing a tape measure with you) can easily eliminate items that won't fit and save you time in the dressing room. (Or make the dressing room unnecessary!)
The one about knowing your diy bandwidth is a perfect reminder for me. I’ve had to stop bringing in new clothes with flaws. I always think I can fix or mend them and when I get a free moment to myself, I don’t choose to do that task. If it’s not a perfect fit, I can wait for one that is. I have clothes at home that fit.
The Goodwill outlet stores can be even more ruthless. There are people that buy in bulk to sell overseas and sometimes they will elbow push and hurt you as you’re searching for items in the bin. In Seattle, it’s a huge problem that there have been times people have been kicked out of the store for aggressive or problematic behavior. But to be fair, there have been other times when people have been sweet and offered me something. They thought I might like or my little girl might like something.
I appreciate you mentioning how truly time consuming it is to go through ones home and declutter. My home is small and not horribly cluttered yet it’s taking some time to minimalist it. I’m working on it some everyday for a week and have made a good dent. I’ve cleared out a few hundred items. It’s also mentally exhausting. 🤯
I’m sorry, I don’t have time to scroll through all the comments to verify if this is already been said. Like you I’ve always been careful with upholstered furniture and assumed the solid wood furniture was fine. However last year I had to abandon a complete set of dining chairs I found used because they turned out to have a wood worm infesstation. It’s worth a familiarizing yourself with the appearance and signs so you know what to watch for. If they get into your house, they can destroy your other furniture and even the structure of your home. Not sure which suburb you’re in, but Jubilee Furniture in Carol Stream is a used furniture thrift store that’s worth the drive. They often post furniture on their site so you can preview. Odd hours but a huge selection of furniture and very good prices the last time I was there. There are a number of other thrift/resale stores in the Wheaton area worth visiting if you end up going to Jubilee.
🏡! Congratulations on your new move! Have you tried a buy nothing group in your area? I have had great success, but even better is meeting my neighbors and gifting things that really have blessed them.
🥰 we are in the process of moving from SE Asia across the globe to settle after 8 years with two young kids and two dogs! This is the content I neeeeeeed because we are bringing suitcases only and looking at furnished rentals only for a while.
All my life I’ve been a thrift shopper handed down by my parents. I now am at the stage I want to scream because of the clutter in my tiny house and to top it off I have my two adult children currently living with me because of no rentals available. I am transitioning to minimalism but am finding the task very daunting. Your tips will help when I go to visit my mum who just loves thrift shopping but yet her house is uncluttered and immaculate. Wish me luck as I lately have been a huge impulse buyer. 🤦🏼♀️
BEST VIDEO!! Real life. Real problems and solutions. I have had to unsubscribe from other youtube channels because I did not feel like they were representing their lives honestly: they were showing a fairytale life. While it could be nice to watch perfect people who have everything figured out and live seamless lives, I prefer to watch channels like yours. Relatable and honest and true. Thank you! I LOL-ed a few times and smiled bc i had also recently come up with that 100% perfect or don't buy idea... if I don't feel like I cannot leave without it and guarding it... like how you felt about the Marie Kondo find... it's a "no."
If you look at enough old furniture, you learn what solid versus the horrible pressboard stuff looks like! Also, I would definitely tackle sentimental items, I have the hardest time with those, especially my children's stuff like stuffed animals or art projects.
My tip is, have a list and visualize what you are looking for. Stick to it! I once had a black leather belt on my list and went to several thrift stores until I found the perfect one. When I got it home, it turned out it was a silver Tiffany leather belt worth $850 and I paid $2.99. glad I stuck to my list and it was exactly what I had visualized in my head, trust your gut instinct.
For future reference, the shaky table might have just needed a few bolts tightened. I've undone the legs on my kitchen table several times moving it to different parts of my house. Thanks for posting! Your content is wonderful! :)
I thrifted soup mugs which we use also for coffee, tea, water and ice cream. When they become chipped I will use them for propagating cuttings or as planters. Multi purpose, beautiful vintage for half price $0.50 cents for me and my 3 kids!
Love this! I have a beautiful blue-glazed pottery jug which was super-cheap because it had a chipped edge, and I use it for scooping birdseed out of the sack to fill up my feeders. I used to use a cut-in-half plastic milk bottle, but this is not only more effective, it's also a pleasure to use!
It is so nice that you have so many options to buy from a thrift store in USA! I live in Czech Republic for more than 7years and everything I bought second-hand was through fb marketplace with the exception of some clothes that I found in thrift shops but they were not something special. I was also lucky enough to find some gems next to the garbage bins. Unfortunately, I am could not find any decent place yet...
Yes house tour! Would also love seeing the process of seeing each room then set up. That’d be awesome to watch you intentionally “fill”, or maybe a better word would be set each room of your home 😊
I love thrifting. I used to be embarrassed as a teen, not anymore. It is so good for the environment (& wallet 😉) The tips you gave are great. It's super important to check yourself to avoid overbuying 😉
One of my personal rules: Quality, quality, quality. Since becoming a minimalist, I look for high quality items at the thrift store. I used to be all about "It's so cheap, I can make it work". That one went right out the window after my decluttering journey! I am an avid thrifter (former reseller) turned minimalist, and I loved this video! I have been working on my own version of a minimalism thrifting video. Little different though. And I usually thrift in Germany and the Netherlands. We will be visiting the States next year and will be thrifting there for sure - thanks for the tips! I cannot believe Americans are so savage, stealing things out of carts. I don't think Germans would ever do that, haha.
I remember my first experience of shopping at thrift store 😅 someone took my whole cart after hours of searching and digging… I really had thought it was by mistake. But thank you so much for the tip! It never came to my mind to cover the cart! ❤
I sometimes even go to a mall and visit different stores just to walk around and look at pretty things without any intent on buying a thing. That can be clothes, decor, furniture, etc.. However, I have found the odd piece here and there that I was looking for for the longest time, had a purpose and a planned place for it, so it came home with me. Over the years I put a lot of things back on the rack or the shelf or simply walked away when seriously envisioning how, where, and why I would "need" it. And yes, 🏡 tour, please. 👍🏻
For me the item that I kept re-purchasing was a red tartan mini skirt. I would get it and then won't be confident enough to wear it. Everything has changed when I bought a red tartan MIDI skirt. I am a taller lady so a midi skirt with a high waist covers me a lot better than a mini skirt made for an average height. This is now my most worn skirt. So my advice would be - you can still get the item that you dream about but it might be just ever so slightly different from its mainstream look - it is about adapting it to your needs.
I love thrifting, and at the same time, I'm trying to minimalize so I try to be careful about my purchases. Your tips were super helpful and original. Thanks!!
I have that fish copper jello mold! Purchased from a thrift store along with it's aluminum twin! It's hanging on my dining room wall with some other copper molds and framed stuff. Plot twist: I hate jello.
🏠 Would love to see an empty house tour. It's cool to see how it starts and then the cool way you make it a home! Thanks for these great thrifting tips!! I LOVE the "catch and release" one.
Thank you for showing what real minimalism looks like on a day to day basis! It takes time, and gives you room to think about purchases before you spend your money. I really lite this new series!
HOUSE - And, yes, a birdfeeder taken from my cart at Goodwill. I left the cart unattended, saw an old lady take it from my cart and I thought she had taken something off the shelf that my cart was in front of. I realized when I got home. Crushed because I thought old people new better (I'm nearly old and I know better!) and laughed...because she must've needed a birdfeeder! Since then, I don't use a cart, but use Goodwill's handheld basket or just hold everything in my arms. *** Good tip, though, to cover up items!! I just may try it. Thanks for the video - always enjoy the content - love it, thanks! ***
Yes!! Love that your gonna be doing this series. As I commented in another video my husband, our four girls, and myself have bought my in-laws massive home. Complete with long term tenants and bugs!! Pest control is coming to bring the required "boom" this week but seeing and learning how roaches live, hide, and sneak into all sorts of furniture and appliances has diminished my love of thrifting currently. Thank you for pointing that risk out because I wasn't ever concerned and now I KNOW better. I am happy to hear your settling in and look forward to your upcoming videos.
Thanks for the tip about trying on clothes. Im surprised that someone would take out of a cart - i heard it happen at hobby lobby from a friend but she had an employee see it and cobfronted the perpetrator
My tip is that when you donate to a thrift store often they give a coupon for a future purchase along with a receipt for tax purposes. So I try to donate something before I head in the store to look.
not sure if someone mentioned this (I didn't get through all of the comments): burnt on oil on glassware is not difficult to remove. Most recently I purchased a vintage cast iron dutch oven with a nice glass lid. The lid was quite heavy and had a simple old look design on it, as well as some old food/oil in the crevices. It was easily removed with hot water and dish soap and a green scrubbie. The set was promptly adopted by my daughter-in-law so that she could make multiple loaves of sourdough at a time. I asked her first before purchasing it and after we agreed that either of us (or my other grown kids) could also use it for meat/stew/etc. I had the green light. I dislike new cast iron and the old stuff is getting harder to find. I keep track of my kids/grandkids interests and that makes thrifting particularly fun. I call/text while still at the store to see if they are interested, and if it is inexpensive I just buy it. They know that they don't have to adopt ANYTHING to please me - - only if they like/need it and it solves a problem. I know where to bring unneeded items locally to benefit others (they are given free to people). The idea I have really embraced in recent years is to imagine how the item will be used and if it does actually solve a problem for me.
Great video as always! I love the new series idea. It's often so hard to find day-to-day representation of minimalist lifestyles that's actually realistic and achievable and I can't wait for the rest of the videos 😊
I just had to let you know how much I appreciate your videos. Your effortless and natural style is so soothing. The minimal makeup and hair really add to the calming vibe. And can we talk about those fabulous eyebrows? They look amazing!
🏠 I hope you will take us along as you set up your new home with furniture etc. are you looking forward to setting up your new home? I love your videos. You use doe of the same terminology that Dawn the Minimal Mom and Cas from Clutterbug use. I find all 3 of you awesome and relatable 🙂🙂
This was great fun. And fyi, you can easily clean glass baking dishes with a Brillo pad and just a little elbow grease. And yes on an empty house tour. Did you purchase a house?
🏡 house tour please. Also, I really like the idea for this new series! And lastly, the DIY trap is SO real, Ive fallen into it so many times. Ive had to come to terms with the fact that just because I have a super cool idea for something does not mean I have the time, skills, equipment, money, or even realistic desire to do it.
Yes, I would love the empty house tour. I just decluttering my kitchen, again! But this time the counters are mostly empty and I had a six tier shelf rack that left 2 shelves empty. The others were very minimal but feeling a little too sterile. I’m sure I’ll get over it but need to find a happy median.
I feel sooooo called out about the DIY bandwidth. Lol. I am so guilty of it, I see the potential in things and I am especially bad with clothes, because I am handy that way. This was a great beginning to a new series! Definitely house tour!
Loved the tips on how you thrift shop. I always end up taking something home I didn't need. Will remember your good advice. The pink stuff would probably take stains off the porcelain dishes. But I hate how they have started raising prices in the thrift stores. So many people are reselling items now that it is ruining it for those who want or need to save. I would have left them behind too. I can't believe people actually take items from someone else's cart. What is this world coming to? Congrats on your new house!
Do you have any thrifting secrets to share? 🤫 Comment below and if you want to see an empty house tour, you can comment with the word HOUSE or the 🏡 emoji. Thanks for watching :)
Maybe it's an American thing but I have never had someone take something out of my cart. That's awful
Are you telling me that you did not bring you best essentials like pan or coffee maker to America? Never buy second hand unless you want bed bugs.
@@ArtingFromScratchI’m an American and I’ve never had that happen to me either. I’ve thrift shopped for decades.
@@elizabethlangheim7214I don't lie. I wud not wish my bedbug experience on my worst enemy
I hope you checked for bedbugs b4 buying your home
Sometimes the charity shop has to be appreciated like a museum. You see beautiful stuff, wonderful items that evoke memories, but you don't have to bring everything
Great mindset 💯
Or a library for things we need for one task or occasion.
@@margaret1336 Yes! I might buy with a "renting" mindset, to donate again after I have used it for it's planned purpose.
What I have learned in this journey is that the first step isn’t to declutter items that you own…it is to stop the influx of items coming in to our homes. 🙏🏽
Thank you for that tip. 😊
"if something is not 100% yes, it's a no".. that's a good one 👌
That's what I try to do with most things. If I have to think about it longer than 2-5min then its a NO. And even then if while shopping I did say yes but keep wondering if I should then it goes back.
I love to shop thrift, but I'm A-OK about leaving empty-handed.
It's something of a challenge that I set for myself, going home with a Fabulous Find - or nothing at all. 😊
I put stuff into my cart and do a final sort before I pay. Sometimes, I find things that are better than what I picked up first. It's also too easy to get over enthused about the bargains when you begin.
Regarding people taking things from your cart when you're trying on clothes: I would definitely try on clothes first thing when you get to the store while your cart is empty. That way there's nothing to "steal".
I'm a thrift store shopper, and my rule is what I call one in one out. For example I saw this mid century modern end table and I could not leave without it because it matches the aesthetic of my house. When I brought it home I removed the old end table out of my house to be given away for free to whoever may need it.
That’s a great rule 👏
@@AtoZenLife Thank you 😊
I love MCM
What a great episode! I am a minimalist too, and now, when I go to a thrift store, I am OK with spending an hour in the store and walking out without having purchased anything.
Thrifting can be so relaxing; cheap therapy. 🌷
This reminds me of what my mother and I would do a couple of times a month. Go downtown and go "window shopping." We would get ideas for clothing, specific items to watch for a sale on, and as you said, relaxing fun.
I do the same now looking online but it lacks the exercise and comradery. Great memories.
I think one of the best de cluttering/minimalist things to do is if you are going to a thrift store take some things do donate. An item for an item. Esp. if its a charitable thrift store. If you have a list of 5 items you want to buy go around your place and look for 5 items you can live without.
There’s something to be said about completely redefining the way you go about appreciating things. Maybe the memory of the jello molds lives on in the space they occupy in the store. You refreshed the memory by holding them and creating a new memory shelf of them in the store. You don’t need to move them into your interior space or exchange money for that. Maybe this new memory shelf is healing, or heartwarming, in a new way.
Exactly! Just because I like something, that doesn’t mean I need to own it. 😁
I met three sisters a long time ago and they were expert thrift store clothes shoppers, following in the steps of their mother and grandmother. They could identify every stain and knew how to remove it, and were mending and restore queens. One of them got her beautiful, pure silk wedding dress from the fifties for 30 dollars, years before she even knew her husband. And her sisters all wore the same dress with tweaks they all did to it to make it different. I'm sure their daughters will wear that same dress.
That’s amazing! 🤩
I got my wedding dress secondhand too. It looked just like Cinderella's dress and it was only $50! Don't sleep on it, folks!
The "fantasy self" is so real! I've tried so many times to try nice shoes that I end up giving up after wearing them for hours, making my girl friends very happy. It helps to make peace with your looks and body type
So true! 💯
🏠 Of course I want a house tour. Can't believe you even asked. 😅
Wow I live near a small town, thrift all the time and never have I had someone take something from my cart. That is crazy
You totally scored on those Container Store desk sorters. I love thrift shopping.
Congrats on your house Marissa! so happy for you. Yes, would love to see a empty house video. Thanks for all you do an share!
I love this format 😊. Great info and I would definitely love an empty house tour! 🏠
Thanks so much for watching !
Looking forward to the series. I would like a haul video of what you buy for the new house and YES to a house tour. I will never be a minimalist but I am decluttering and learn a lot from you. I won't buy upholstered furniture or throw pillows or suitcases because of fear of bedbugs.
Thanks so much and happy to have you here 🤗
Steam clean anything you ever take home. Especially if it is used. Steam every seam, nook and cranny. Then steam it again. Bedbugs are no joke!
Most of my possessions now are thrifted or second-hand. YES to the idea that if you don't 100% LOVE it, it's a no. I've also now arrived at the point where I'm not taking on any more projects. If a button needs to be replaced or sewn back on, no...worn elbows in a camel hair blazer are not getting patched, I'll get a new used one with good elbows...no more fixing moth holes in cashmere...no more buying something so I can clean the stain...the most I'll do is take wool pants to the tailor where she can fit them to my height. That's it.
I have been thrift shopping since I was a child, and you are so right about prices. Some stores are great, others are not worth a second visit, and some are in between. A great place to thrift items other than clothing are (Habitat for Humanity) Restore stores. My husband and I built a farmhouse and all of our cabinetry and most of our furniture came from Restore (otherwise we already owned what we needed). Like other thrift stores, prices can vary and tend to be higher the closer you get to a bigger city, at least in our experience. I must say though, that I have never had the experience of someone taking things out of my cart in a thrift store, probably because we live in a rural area. One thing that would be great for stores to bring back is a book exchange program; when I was young, you could bring in 2-3 books that you owned, and trade them for 1 book that the store had.
Hi Marissa, Thank you for the tips. However, just to mention something about bed bugs. They are all over, including clothes and wicker items everywhere they can live and multiply. My advice to you and everyone who goes thrifting, is thst if you have a garage or if you live in a neighborhood where they don't take things, leave it out of the home, put it under the sun all day especially now in the summer where it's very hot, then, leave it in the middle of the garage where if there is something thst would crawl out of it, you will be able to see it and treat it accordingly. For garments and small items like linen, throw pillows, etc. 2 or 3 thorough hot wash cycles will do the trick.
If you get a little uncomfortable trying on clothes in the aisles I measured my favorite pants/skirts with measuring tape (the sewing kind) then I bring it to the store with me so I'll at least know if it'll fit or not. :) especially since women's sizes for different brands are unreliable.
I loved the format of this video, SO refreshing to see someone thrift shopping with intention and not shoving it all in the trolley! I sometimes hold onto an item I like as I walk around the shop and then just before heading to pay I look at each item again in my hand, most end up being put back but I still get the dopamine hit of shopping, but not the guilt of purchasing unwanted items or bringing home new clutter!
I volunteer at a small country thrift store in Canada and it’s so easy to “fall in love “ or make “impulsive”buys working there. Then my daughter told me the one in two things out plus I need to know where it is going in my house and do I have a “home” for it.
I’m a sucker for books. I love old books, cookbooks. Can you do a series on how a minimalist would handle this problem. I’ve got rid of a lot already because we moved into a very small house and I wanted to display them or is that considered clutter. Im looking forward to more in this series.
I would have loved to see your husbands expression about either what you bought or how much you saved. I liked the cups you didn't buy, but the color was very old fashion classic stoneware. It would have been hard for me to pass up if I needed them - but I don't. It's shocking how ruthless and competitive other thrifters can be. Fun Video!
I wanted to show his reaction, but he is very busy with work. 😔 I’m hoping we can do a video together soon!
I'm always tempted to buy those brown and off-white ceramic mugs at drift stores. Then I realise it's nostalgia more than anything else, because my parents and grandparents have had those mugs.
And maybe I have a tip, or a mindset, related to the whole nostalgia thing. Sometimes I treat drift stores like museums of past trends and designs, so I won't be tempted to buy every item I feel nostalgic about. The things belong where they are and I can come back to view them without having to take them home (unless I actually need them).
House tour, yes please! And, please show us the items you purchased and perhaps how you styled them in your home. I would love to see those organizers on your desk. And, why not bake us a casserole in your new dish :)
I’m a minimalist also and keep a running list. This has helped immensely. Once I got a 14k white gold ring with a pearl and diamond chips for $10. Although I didn’t need it and it wasn’t on my list, I have no regrets purchasing it.
I’ve heard from a family member that the Habitat for Humanity in Skokie has really great furniture pieces. Also, have you joined your local Buy Nothing group? You can get lots of great home items for free from your fellow neighbors. I would also drive around your local universities this time of year, end of the semester, as lots of grads are moving out of their apartments and just leave stuff out on the street. Lastly, there’s a free clothing swap at Uncommon Closet on June 26! Congrats on your new home! Can’t wait to see! 🏡🩷
Yesss. I'm in North Carolina, but we've found some really fantastic things at several of the Habitat for Humanity ReStores here. They also tend to have a LOT of furniture items, better overall quality, and good prices.
Edit to add: oh, and there are also some really awesome items from the Buy Nothing groups, but it definitely depends on the area. Before I moved, there was a CONSTANT flow of amazing items. My new area never has anything 😢
I love this. Usually we see ppl decluttering. But your videos are showing how you shop as a Minimalist. I love how you didn't buy the cups because they were cheap and were microwave & oven safe. You didn't like the color and neither did you spouse. (They were ugly lol) . You left them to buy something you love. Its the intentional purchases as a Minimalist, even with the clear pan you went with the pricier one because it fit you best. I'm looking forward to this series. Welcome back to the states as a homeowner!
Great point about knowing your prices. Where I live, the second hand stores have things that are donated locally, at no cost to the store to acquire the items, however they price things higher than it cost the person in the first place.
Recently, I had some good quality items to donate, however instead of selling them or bringing them to a second hand store, I put them out for our municipality’s ‘curbside giveaway’ weekend. I really wish that they did it a couple of times a year (Spring and Fall) instead of just once (Spring).
I’d like to hear about how your family deals with comparison, especially now you’re setting up home in the US. Do your boys gets comments from their friends? Do you find people try and give you stuff because they think you lack in some way?
For example, I do capsule wardrobes for my kids but then family will buy them new outfits after seeing them in the same clothes a few times
Great tips!
I always put my purse in the grocery part of the cart, never in the seat.
I've had someone comment on something I found. If I had been on the fence about it, I would've let her take it. I watch my cart like a hawk and always throw a piece of clothing over my possible purchases. Then I do a quick add up/edit before I go to check out. Thrift stores are a great place to look for replacement items like the plate from the set that is chipped/broken, etc.
Good grief; that fish mold brings back memories of my childhood. I remember my mom had one of those... As for clothing, having a list of garment measurements of items that fit well (and bringing a tape measure with you) can easily eliminate items that won't fit and save you time in the dressing room. (Or make the dressing room unnecessary!)
The one about knowing your diy bandwidth is a perfect reminder for me. I’ve had to stop bringing in new clothes with flaws. I always think I can fix or mend them and when I get a free moment to myself, I don’t choose to do that task. If it’s not a perfect fit, I can wait for one that is. I have clothes at home that fit.
The Goodwill outlet stores can be even more ruthless. There are people that buy in bulk to sell overseas and sometimes they will elbow push and hurt you as you’re searching for items in the bin. In Seattle, it’s a huge problem that there have been times people have been kicked out of the store for aggressive or problematic behavior. But to be fair, there have been other times when people have been sweet and offered me something. They thought I might like or my little girl might like something.
CONGRATULATIONS !!! On finding your new home! 🎉
I appreciate you mentioning how truly time consuming it is to go through ones home and declutter. My home is small and not horribly cluttered yet it’s taking some time to minimalist it. I’m working on it some everyday for a week and have made a good dent. I’ve cleared out a few hundred items. It’s also mentally exhausting. 🤯
I’m sorry, I don’t have time to scroll through all the comments to verify if this is already been said. Like you I’ve always been careful with upholstered furniture and assumed the solid wood furniture was fine. However last year I had to abandon a complete set of dining chairs I found used because they turned out to have a wood worm infesstation. It’s worth a familiarizing yourself with the appearance and signs so you know what to watch for. If they get into your house, they can destroy your other furniture and even the structure of your home. Not sure which suburb you’re in, but Jubilee Furniture in Carol Stream is a used furniture thrift store that’s worth the drive. They often post furniture on their site so you can preview. Odd hours but a huge selection of furniture and very good prices the last time I was there. There are a number of other thrift/resale stores in the Wheaton area worth visiting if you end up going to Jubilee.
Ahhh, thank you for the tip on wood worms! Did not realise this, and I will definitely be keeping an eye out from now on.
🏡! Congratulations on your new move! Have you tried a buy nothing group in your area? I have had great success, but even better is meeting my neighbors and gifting things that really have blessed them.
🥰 we are in the process of moving from SE Asia across the globe to settle after 8 years with two young kids and two dogs! This is the content I neeeeeeed because we are bringing suitcases only and looking at furnished rentals only for a while.
All my life I’ve been a thrift shopper handed down by my parents. I now am at the stage I want to scream because of the clutter in my tiny house and to top it off I have my two adult children currently living with me because of no rentals available. I am transitioning to minimalism but am finding the task very daunting. Your tips will help when I go to visit my mum who just loves thrift shopping but yet her house is uncluttered and immaculate. Wish me luck as I lately have been a huge impulse buyer. 🤦🏼♀️
BEST VIDEO!! Real life. Real problems and solutions. I have had to unsubscribe from other youtube channels because I did not feel like they were representing their lives honestly: they were showing a fairytale life. While it could be nice to watch perfect people who have everything figured out and live seamless lives, I prefer to watch channels like yours. Relatable and honest and true. Thank you! I LOL-ed a few times and smiled bc i had also recently come up with that 100% perfect or don't buy idea... if I don't feel like I cannot leave without it and guarding it... like how you felt about the Marie Kondo find... it's a "no."
If you look at enough old furniture, you learn what solid versus the horrible pressboard stuff looks like! Also, I would definitely tackle sentimental items, I have the hardest time with those, especially my children's stuff like stuffed animals or art projects.
My tip is, have a list and visualize what you are looking for. Stick to it! I once had a black leather belt on my list and went to several thrift stores until I found the perfect one. When I got it home, it turned out it was a silver Tiffany leather belt worth $850 and I paid $2.99. glad I stuck to my list and it was exactly what I had visualized in my head, trust your gut instinct.
I’m amazed no one has taken such a nice large canvas bag out of your cart - the cover-up bag, I mean. !
I agree - my trick is simply to never walk away from the cart.
I could see those copper moulds making a cool art display in a kitchen or dining room, kind of like people hang baskets
For future reference, the shaky table might have just needed a few bolts tightened. I've undone the legs on my kitchen table several times moving it to different parts of my house. Thanks for posting! Your content is wonderful! :)
I thrifted soup mugs which we use also for coffee, tea, water and ice cream. When they become chipped I will use them for propagating cuttings or as planters. Multi purpose, beautiful vintage for half price $0.50 cents for me and my 3 kids!
Love this! I have a beautiful blue-glazed pottery jug which was super-cheap because it had a chipped edge, and I use it for scooping birdseed out of the sack to fill up my feeders. I used to use a cut-in-half plastic milk bottle, but this is not only more effective, it's also a pleasure to use!
It is so nice that you have so many options to buy from a thrift store in USA! I live in Czech Republic for more than 7years and everything I bought second-hand was through fb marketplace with the exception of some clothes that I found in thrift shops but they were not something special. I was also lucky enough to find some gems next to the garbage bins. Unfortunately, I am could not find any decent place yet...
Gooodwll prices in Wisconsin are through the roof, so are the “Restore” stores. I have better luck with the smaller shops.
Congratulations on finding a home. How exciting for you guys!
This was fun! Thanks for taking us along for the ride. 😄🏡
Yes house tour!
Would also love seeing the process of seeing each room then set up. That’d be awesome to watch you intentionally “fill”, or maybe a better word would be set each room of your home 😊
I love thrifting. I used to be embarrassed as a teen, not anymore. It is so good for the environment (& wallet 😉)
The tips you gave are great. It's super important to check yourself to avoid overbuying 😉
One of my personal rules: Quality, quality, quality. Since becoming a minimalist, I look for high quality items at the thrift store. I used to be all about "It's so cheap, I can make it work". That one went right out the window after my decluttering journey!
I am an avid thrifter (former reseller) turned minimalist, and I loved this video! I have been working on my own version of a minimalism thrifting video. Little different though. And I usually thrift in Germany and the Netherlands. We will be visiting the States next year and will be thrifting there for sure - thanks for the tips! I cannot believe Americans are so savage, stealing things out of carts. I don't think Germans would ever do that, haha.
Marisa, I grew up in Buffalo Grove, right next door to Wheeling. I'm feeling a little nostalgia!
I remember my first experience of shopping at thrift store 😅 someone took my whole cart after hours of searching and digging… I really had thought it was by mistake. But thank you so much for the tip! It never came to my mind to cover the cart! ❤
We’re so very excited you found a home & would love to see a tour as long as it’s not an invasion of your privacy…
🏡 🏠
Yes to the house tour! So excited for you guys!
I sometimes even go to a mall and visit different stores just to walk around and look at pretty things without any intent on buying a thing. That can be clothes, decor, furniture, etc.. However, I have found the odd piece here and there that I was looking for for the longest time, had a purpose and a planned place for it, so it came home with me. Over the years I put a lot of things back on the rack or the shelf or simply walked away when seriously envisioning how, where, and why I would "need" it.
And yes, 🏡 tour, please. 👍🏻
For me the item that I kept re-purchasing was a red tartan mini skirt. I would get it and then won't be confident enough to wear it. Everything has changed when I bought a red tartan MIDI skirt. I am a taller lady so a midi skirt with a high waist covers me a lot better than a mini skirt made for an average height. This is now my most worn skirt. So my advice would be - you can still get the item that you dream about but it might be just ever so slightly different from its mainstream look - it is about adapting it to your needs.
I love thrifting, and at the same time, I'm trying to minimalize so I try to be careful about my purchases. Your tips were super helpful and original. Thanks!!
I appreciate what you said about being a minimalist takes time and it’s a process…😊
I have that fish copper jello mold! Purchased from a thrift store along with it's aluminum twin! It's hanging on my dining room wall with some other copper molds and framed stuff. Plot twist: I hate jello.
🤣 Thanks for sharing
🏠 Would love to see an empty house tour. It's cool to see how it starts and then the cool way you make it a home! Thanks for these great thrifting tips!! I LOVE the "catch and release" one.
I feel you on leaving behind that Easy Bake Oven!
Excellent advice for newbie thrift store shoppers! I had fallen into those “traps” many times in the past.
Thank you for showing what real minimalism looks like on a day to day basis! It takes time, and gives you room to think about purchases before you spend your money. I really lite this new series!
🏠🏡🏠Definitely in for a house tour!!!
🙏❤️
HOUSE - And, yes, a birdfeeder taken from my cart at Goodwill. I left the cart unattended, saw an old lady take it from my cart and I thought she had taken something off the shelf that my cart was in front of. I realized when I got home. Crushed because I thought old people new better (I'm nearly old and I know better!) and laughed...because she must've needed a birdfeeder! Since then, I don't use a cart, but use Goodwill's handheld basket or just hold everything in my arms. *** Good tip, though, to cover up items!! I just may try it. Thanks for the video - always enjoy the content - love it, thanks! ***
Yes!! Love that your gonna be doing this series. As I commented in another video my husband, our four girls, and myself have bought my in-laws massive home. Complete with long term tenants and bugs!! Pest control is coming to bring the required "boom" this week but seeing and learning how roaches live, hide, and sneak into all sorts of furniture and appliances has diminished my love of thrifting currently. Thank you for pointing that risk out because I wasn't ever concerned and now I KNOW better. I am happy to hear your settling in and look forward to your upcoming videos.
Congratulations and I’d love a HOUSE tour!
Thanks for the tip about trying on clothes. Im surprised that someone would take out of a cart - i heard it happen at hobby lobby from a friend but she had an employee see it and cobfronted the perpetrator
Oh nice that they did! Yeah, I was shocked after it happened too 🥲
My tip is that when you donate to a thrift store often they give a coupon for a future purchase along with a receipt for tax purposes. So I try to donate something before I head in the store to look.
Congratulations on the house!🎉 Yes to 🏡 tour. Yes to learning how and what you buy to furnish your new home. Great video!
Wow all I can say is I want to go thrifting in Chicago! So many nice items and so cheap! Wow. Thrift envy.
not sure if someone mentioned this (I didn't get through all of the comments): burnt on oil on glassware is not difficult to remove. Most recently I purchased a vintage cast iron dutch oven with a nice glass lid. The lid was quite heavy and had a simple old look design on it, as well as some old food/oil in the crevices. It was easily removed with hot water and dish soap and a green scrubbie. The set was promptly adopted by my daughter-in-law so that she could make multiple loaves of sourdough at a time. I asked her first before purchasing it and after we agreed that either of us (or my other grown kids) could also use it for meat/stew/etc. I had the green light. I dislike new cast iron and the old stuff is getting harder to find. I keep track of my kids/grandkids interests and that makes thrifting particularly fun. I call/text while still at the store to see if they are interested, and if it is inexpensive I just buy it. They know that they don't have to adopt ANYTHING to please me - - only if they like/need it and it solves a problem. I know where to bring unneeded items locally to benefit others (they are given free to people). The idea I have really embraced in recent years is to imagine how the item will be used and if it does actually solve a problem for me.
I am trying to become more frugal too! This is a movement, being frugal in my 40s is a great decision on my part. Thanks!
Congratulations on finally finding a house! 🥳 I would love to see a tour.
Great video as always! I love the new series idea. It's often so hard to find day-to-day representation of minimalist lifestyles that's actually realistic and achievable and I can't wait for the rest of the videos 😊
I just had to let you know how much I appreciate your videos. Your effortless and natural style is so soothing. The minimal makeup and hair really add to the calming vibe. And can we talk about those fabulous eyebrows? They look amazing!
Carry a tape measure at all times. Comes in handy at more places than thrift stores.
This will be a great series. I can’t wait to see the new house. Congratulations!
🏠 I hope you will take us along as you set up your new home with furniture etc. are you looking forward to setting up your new home? I love your videos. You use doe of the same terminology that Dawn the Minimal Mom and Cas from Clutterbug use. I find all 3 of you awesome and relatable 🙂🙂
This was great fun. And fyi, you can easily clean glass baking dishes with a Brillo pad and just a little elbow grease. And yes on an empty house tour. Did you purchase a house?
🏡 house tour please. Also, I really like the idea for this new series! And lastly, the DIY trap is SO real, Ive fallen into it so many times. Ive had to come to terms with the fact that just because I have a super cool idea for something does not mean I have the time, skills, equipment, money, or even realistic desire to do it.
I've been waiting for this video telling us you guys finally found a house! So happy for you guys. And YES we def want an empty house tour please :)
I so want to learn how to be a better thrifter so I am in love with this series!
I love that! “Catch and release”
Yes, I would love the empty house tour. I just decluttering my kitchen, again! But this time the counters are mostly empty and I had a six tier shelf rack that left 2 shelves empty. The others were very minimal but feeling a little too sterile. I’m sure I’ll get over it but need to find a happy median.
Good luck finding that balance ✌️
This is such a good idea for a series. It really does take thought and intention to maintain a minimalist home/life.
What an interesting video! I loved it! Can't wait for the rest of the series and to see your HOUSE!
I'd love to watch a video about how you keep order and minimalism in children's toys and books ❤
PLEEEASE make a Video on mental and emotional minimalism in the series
I feel sooooo called out about the DIY bandwidth. Lol. I am so guilty of it, I see the potential in things and I am especially bad with clothes, because I am handy that way. This was a great beginning to a new series! Definitely house tour!
I appreciate the fact you were uncomfortable filming in public. I hate when someone is filming me without my permission.
Really excellent. Thankyou.So many helpful hits. Well done on your new series!🌷
Loved the tips on how you thrift shop. I always end up taking something home I didn't need. Will remember your good advice.
The pink stuff would probably take stains off the porcelain dishes. But I hate how they have started raising prices in the thrift stores. So many people are reselling items now that it is ruining it for those who want or need to save. I would have left them behind too. I can't believe people actually take items from someone else's cart. What is this world coming to? Congrats on your new house!