Thrift Stores.. The Fun Way To Shop

In these days of a tight economy, it seems there are thrift stores popping up everywhere, like stray flowers that have been sown by the wind. They are great money savers for todays young families with children or those on a very tight budget. But, believe me, you can find some fantastic bargains, if you allow time to browse through what somebody else has simply grown tired of. Also, in consideration of the environment and recycling, it is doing us all a favor.


Thrift stores carry everything from clothing for all ages, furniture, books, movies, toys, childrens cribs, strollers and Johnny Jump Ups, to dishes, glassware, foral arrangements, antiques, and more.


I have a dear friend who runs a daycare, and she regularly shops at the thrift store and finds the greatest bargains. Her well managed Cheryl's Day Care is so perfectly organized and has only the best activity toys and games there for the little ones, much of which has been purchased at the local Family Pathways in Forest Lake. Not only does shopping there help the shopper, but it supports the fine work of Family Pathways, which does so much good for the community.


There are so many beautiful dishes, some brand new sets, glassware and lots of the cutest Knick Knacks and shelves to put them on. My daughter often gets her little gifts there to give to secret pals. If somebody collects donkeys, for instance, she finds them or whatever else somebody enjoys and collects. It helps the pocketbook of the shopper and thrills the friend who gets a thoughtful gift.


It is actually fun to browse through another persons give aways and imagine the lives of the people who owned and loved them, for a short while. Very often, I give away many nice things, which I do not use and I hope they find a new home. Sometimes, I wish I had them back, like the pretty sweater, I once had and gave away, thinking I would not wear it anymore. But alas! When winters winds came blowing, I wanted to wear it again, because it had been hand made in Argentina.

These days, I see more and more friends and families visiting and shopping at their local thrift stores where they find bargains and see their neighbors doing the same thing. After all, life is all about sharing and caring and brightening our corners of the world to the best of our ability. When we share the good times and the bad together, that unites us all in brotherly love. And love makes the world go around, they say.