04-13-2010, 01:54 AM
I'm not implying that thrift shops are not good deals. I just don't think that shopping at a thrift shop makes one inherently frugal. My friend's whose house is wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling with "thrift store finds". She constantly buy stuff she don't need just because it's inexpensive. She'd probably buy that $6.95 jacket even if it wouldn't fit anyone she knew. It'll sit around and clutter her house, her mind and her life; she can never find anything she needs because stuff is often in garage or her storage locker. She often misses deadlines for bills and taxes because she spends so much time "looking" for deals.
If you need it and it's a good price, then you should buy it. I don't think trying to run to 5 different stores to get the absolute lowest price is always the most sensible thing to do. Never undervalue the ability to return something if you don't like it or if something goes wrong; one can't do that with used private party or thrift stores.
I waste time trying to shave nickels off stuff and spend way too much time browsing craigslist. I somewhat enjoy it but I don't think it's the best use of my time. That's when I've admittedly crossed the frugal-cheap line.
If you need it and it's a good price, then you should buy it. I don't think trying to run to 5 different stores to get the absolute lowest price is always the most sensible thing to do. Never undervalue the ability to return something if you don't like it or if something goes wrong; one can't do that with used private party or thrift stores.
I waste time trying to shave nickels off stuff and spend way too much time browsing craigslist. I somewhat enjoy it but I don't think it's the best use of my time. That's when I've admittedly crossed the frugal-cheap line.