Posts Tagged ‘consignment shops’
Thankful For Being Thrifty
Hello Friends and Happy Thankful Thursday
I recently read an article by my favorite financial advisor Michelle Singletary who is an author and Award Winning Nationally Syndicated Columnist for The Washington Post. She wrote about the case of former Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell and his wife, Maureen. Seems like they got themselves into trouble for taking gifts and loans in exchange for political favors. I know this isn’t anything new in politics but what I found to be interesting was the fact they, like so many others found themselves in dire financial straits, drowning in credit card debt trying to keep up appearances.
I am truly thankful for being thrifty and I always enjoy meeting others who are just as frugal if not more so. Being a thriftinista isn’t just in vogue it’s what keeps most of us out of the financial fire pit called credit card debt.
It’s not that I don’t understand the McDonnell’s predicament because I too have lived beyond my means and paid dearly for it. I’ll be the first to admit that my finances aren’t where they should be but I do know that if I want designer duds, I’ll find a consignment shop with a quickness. I paid less for this gown than I did for a full tank of gas (sorry this is a old cell phone pic).
Two of my favorite bloggers are Thrifters Anonymous and DC Goodwill Fashionista and you all know that I am a proud card-carrying Goodwill VIP!
Today in addition to being thankfully thrifty, I am thankful for my family, friends and of course my faith. I am also thankful to be participating in today’s Social Media Workshop sponsored by The Money School of Delaware, I can’t wait to tell you all about it.
Now it’s your turn, what are you most thankful for this week?
Stay Blessed – No Stress in 2014!
Thrifting During Thanksgiving
Hello Friends and Happy Hump Day Wednesday
I trust you all had a safe and enjoyable long Thanksgiving weekend with an opportunity to do something special. Everyday I am thankful for the little things that God blesses me with and even more so when I can share those blessings with others.
On Friday fellow thriftanista and BLMGirl, Whitney Nic James embarked on a Thrift with Nic Weekend Tour (#twntour) sponsored by Kia Motors and her first stop was in Delaware. I honestly had no plans of going out or even getting dressed but when she texted I knew I couldn’t let her visit my state without seeing her. It wasn’t just because we are fellow bloggers but because I’ve adopted her as my “lil sis”, and you know that I lost my real ‘lil sis in a car accident in 1992.
I quickly dressed and drove to meet her at the Goodwill Outlet in New Castle. The outlet wasn’t originally on her agenda but one of the consignment shops that she chose was closed and thankfully the outlet was closer to me.
I had never been to a Goodwill Outlet and from the looks of things it was obvious that it’s the “early birds that get all the worms”. Somewhat disappointed but not defeated, I suggested we head further south down to Smyrna, to one of my favorite Goodwill locations. Her husband, Darrius was the driver and also a native Delawarean, however, he had never been to the Smyrna store and was eager to go.
Whitney and her new hubby Darrius are a thrifting duo!
Can’t leave a Delaware Goodwill without buying a
“I Love Thrifting” t-shirt!
It was the day before Goodwill’s 50% off Saturday Sale but there were a few items that I just couldn’t pass up.
If you read my profile you know that I am a big supporter of Goodwill, not just because I love to thrift but because it was the last place my sister worked before her untimely death. She is the first thought that comes to mind when I enter a Goodwill but on this trip she was more than just a passing thought.
My sister had a best friend named Darlene, they were inseparable until she left to join the United States Air Force, and it was during that time they became separated forever. Darlene was in Boot Camp when Gloria was killed in a car accident and unfortunately wasn’t able to attend the funeral. Darlene and I spoke briefly afterwards but never saw each other again … not until Friday and at all places… Goodwill.
Between the hugs and tears, I discovered that she now lives in Smyrna and works in Middletown, and is also newly married. How amazing was it that thanks to my adopted ‘lil sis, I was reunited with my real ‘lil sis’ best friend at a Goodwill! #blessed
What started out as a Black Friday turned into a Blessed Friday!
I am linking up with Whitney’s Personal Style Wednesday so come on over and meet some other thrifting fashionistas.
Have a fantabulous day – Smooches!
Dressing for Less
Hello Friends and Happy Hump Day Wednesday
Tonight I will be teaching the class, “Dressing for Success on a Budget’ sponsored by The Money School of Delaware. The premise being that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to look professional and how to have a “Champagne Closet with a Beer Budget”
As a self proclaimed frugal fashionista, I usually don’t pay full retail price for my clothing nor do I shop high end department stores or boutiques in a mall. Thrifting at Goodwill or The Salvation Army, hitting a local Consignment Shop, low end retail sales and clearance shopping is much more fun and is easier on my wallet.
Chain stores such as Ross, Marshall’s, TJMaxx, Burlington Coat Factory, Rugged Wearhouse, and Target understands the needs of women who want designer clothing but with lower prices.
I read fashion magazines and blogs and try to stay current with the latest trends but if I can recreate an outfit with thrifted items from Goodwill I most certainly will!
When my sons were younger, they only knew the “Mart Brothers” – Kmart and Walmart!
Shoes are definitely my weakness and I have too many pairs to count, but I never pay full price, not when there are ways to get Reward Points from stores such as DSW or coupons and AAA discounts at Payless and of course the clearance sales at Target!
JC Penney and Sears may not be top on your shopping list but they should be, especially for their end-of-season clearance sales, remember the Liz Claiborne jeans I found for a dollar? Kohl’s is also another great place to shop for clearance deals. Mixing thrifted items with new pieces can make a perfect outfit.
Also, don’t sleep on the cheapie cheap Dollar Stores either, places like Family Dollar, Dollar General and even Dollar Tree oftentimes have great accessories like leggings, tights, hats and scarves. Remember this Fedora that I bought last summer from Dollar Tree!
There are also great deals and bargains to be found online and from catalogs like eShakti, Spiegel and Avon all of which are my favorites.
If you are attending a fancy soiree, try a high end online site such as “Rent the Runway” or “Beg Borrow Steal” and in a pinch go to a Consignment Shop located in a high end neighborhood which is how I found a gown for a Ball that I attended last year.
Dressing for less doesn’t mean you can’t afford better, nor does it have be an embarrasing event, however, I must admit that it can be addictive, especially on $2 Tuesdays at Goodwill!