I’ve been hearing the term “Thrift Gods” a lot lately. Thrifting has become cool, and I couldn’t be happier. Younger folks than I make a habit of shopping thrift, both online and off. Whether the items they purchase, sell or trade are newer or vintage doesn’t seem to matter as much as the fact that they are not purchased from a first line retailer. Anything purchased second hand is better than buying new.
From my point of view, it’s about darn time! Growing up in the 1970s, I remember the push for saving the planet. Back then we used the word “ecology” to talk about being a good steward of Mother Nature. Now we talk about climate change. In reality, it’s much the same. As a species, humans buy and use a lot. We tend to be wasteful, more so as we become more well off.
We are inundated with ads, influencer recommendations, product placements, and suggestions of items to purchase from every angle. Social media, TV, movies, magazines, newspapers, junk mail both in our mail boxes and inboxes, texts, and push notifications. But unlike our parents, our kids have embraced the idea of buying second hand. Part of it is economic and part is environmental, and part is just plain fun.
Our acquiring habit is beginning to slow down as we see the results of our overuse, and young folks are leading the charge. One small way to help reverse climate change is to make less and buy less. That’s where the Thrift Gods come into play.
Take this example; you just broke your favorite vase. Rather than heading to a big box store, you might stop by your local thrift store and peruse their selection. You know what you’re looking for in general. A large vase that will hold a full bouquet of flowers, in a shape and style that fits your decor. You might even have a particular color in mind or maybe a material, possibly hand thrown pottery or antique cut crystal.
As you begin your search, you summon up an idea in your mind of what you’re looking for. This puts your senses to work scanning for vases that fit the picture in your mind. You have now summoned the Thrift Gods. They will help you find the perfect vase at a great price. It may be at an estate sale, yard sale, thrift store or perhaps you prefer to shop online via any number of online marketplaces or stand alone shops. When you find that perfect piece, you know the Thrift Gods are smiling down upon you. You have saved yet one more item from the landfill. Doesn’t that feel good?
Thrift Gods in Action
From Mary Ellen: In 2014, my husband and I went on a picking trip with friends. We stopped at a thrift store, Salvation Army or Goodwill in Massachusetts. I saw a beautiful wood box and slid the cover off and found this beautiful Shaeffer fountain pen inside. The price on the box was under $10. My husband restores fountain pens and said the overlay was gold! I brought it up to the counter and asked if I could pay more for it and they refused any extra payment. I listed it for sale in my shop and it sold the very same day. 2014 was a very good year.
Also from Mary Ellen: I go to a local church thrift store as often as I can for the nice used clothing they have and the occasional vintage figurines and home decor items. Once, I saw this small enameled bowl, listed at $5. I took it in my hands and held it. The manager had just put it on the shelf and was surprised that it was picked up so quickly. I told her it was a Cathrineholm enameled lotus bowl and it was in beautiful shape. I taught her how to use Google Lens to get ideas on prices of things that they weren’t familiar with. This bowl sold in my shop in just a few days.
From Laurie: One of my favorite things to sell are souvenir state plates. Sometimes, when the gods are smiling upon me, I arrive at a thrift to find 10-12 vintage souvenir plates, mostly from the 1950s and 1960s. I know that these are likely an entire collection, donated by someone who is downsizing or from a family who is dispersing an estate, so they come with sadness. But saving them from the dumpster and sending them on to new homes brings happiness.
From Linda: The Thrift God of southern Arizona was at work a year ago when I wandered into the Methodist Church thrift store as they were setting up for the town’s annual arts & music festival. I wasn’t looking for anything special, just being social because I’m associated with the group that sponsors the festival but this fabulous tinsel Christmas camper immediately caught my eye.
My husband and I have restored a 1958 Spartan “Imperial Villa” trailer that we offer as an Airbnb rental under the name Dos Palmas. I had just finished redecorating it with age-appropriate vintage and fabric but had never considered decorating it for the holidays until I spotted this camper. It turns out it’s readily available online, but trust me, I wouldn’t have found it without the Thrift God of Christmas Past steering me in the right direction. To show my gratitude to the gods, I paid the church twice the asking price. And yes, it felt good!
From Pam: Several years ago, I was shopping with a friend, we stopped into a shop that was rarely open as it was owned by a retired older gentleman. It was a jumble of random items with a bent towards trying to be an antique shop. In the back room I spotted a mid 19th century step back cupboard. It had been stripped of whatever finish it originally wore and was being readied for stain. I had been looking for a cupboard to display my collection of Fiesta ware. It was perfect. The top portion has the original glass doors while the bottom has two drawers and a two doors opening up to a large storage space. Exactly what I was looking for. That cupboard has been across the country and back with me. It’s still my favorite piece of furniture.
Looking for some pointers on how best to thrift? Check out these articles.
Chase Bank has an article on thrifting.
Reddit has a great conversation in a Subreddit about thrifting here.
If you prefer books, Macy Eleni has a new book out called Second Chances: The Ultimate Guide to Thrifting.
What’s the best thing you’ve thrifted? Let us know in the comments.
