Ask Aunt B

Dear Aunt B, Do you thrift shop? I want to but not sure where to start. I have friends that only shop in thrift stores, and they sure save a great deal of money and have some really fun things. I have asked them to take me along but nothing yet.

Thrifty

Dear Thrifty, I do not shop in thrift stores, but I, like you, would like to. I think it looks amazing. I have seen some unbelievable things people have found thrifting on Instagram. There are some great people to follow on Instagram about thrifting. I just love Instagram. I have gotten so many great ideas on IG. I do understand people have some problems on all of these Social Media sites, but there is some fun to be had as well. Nothing weird shows up on my account. Not yet anyway. I just see great recipes and some pretty funny things. I would imagine it is a slippery slope and you have to be careful of the things you search. These formats quickly see the things you look at and send you more of the same.

I love to save money on things. So I will always be on the lookout for fun options, and thrifting might be one of them. I hear that secondhand stores can be hit or miss, so you need to check things out often. Some days there will be great finds, and other days completely nothing. This is probably why I have never really done much thrifting. I get bored easily, and a few times going without finding anything and I would be over the experience.

Garage sales are the same for me. I used to go with a couple of friends, and we had a really good time. There could have even been a time when I might have gotten locked in the car just so my friend could get the better deals. However, I would not have the patience to drive around and go by myself. Deals are still to be found out there, and I love the hunt. My husband and I watch Antique Roadshow, and I love a good story of someone who got a treasure at a garage sale or resale shop and it is worth a zillion dollars.

I also like to watch people that remake things they get at resale shops. The creativity of people just amazes me. Again, not my thing but I wish I had those talents.

I won’t mention names, but I am sure you can figure it out. There is a contributor to the Forney Messenger who is one of the most creative people I have ever seen. In case you are interested just look up on this very page.

Another problem that I might have when thrift shopping is that it doesn’t take much to get my attention so I would buy way too much. I might also have a follow through problem, so I could possibly have way too many unfinished projects. I have sure confessed a great deal of Aunt B’s weaknesses to you all this week.

I think it sounds like an amazing hobby for you to begin. Let me know how it goes.

Love, Aunt B

If you would like to send Aunt B a question please email your question to news@ forneymessenger. com.