I buy groceries and household supplies new, but almost everything else used. I don't really need anything right now. If I replace my living room furniture, I will probably buy new.

If they get junk they toss it. I have things I'm looking for that can only be found used. If you can use it, buy it. I've passed over more than a few items I wish I'd bought.

That being said, can't buy for resale anymore. Them days is gone more than 5-7 years ago.

It might improve if they sell homes again.

Anything filled, such as stuffed animals, pillows have to be treated and tagged. I have a vintage booth, and if I think about adding anything electrical, I test it. If it doesn't work, I don't add it. Kind of funny, I have a vintage chrome plated car emergency light that works from the cigarette lighter found on old cars. I can't test it, as far as I know. I've had it on display, hoping one of the local car guys would like it.

We collected for almost 45 years, and I've been downsizing. I don't get to shop for restock now, just go unpack boxes in the basement. It was a lot of fun while it lasted. I hope the next generations will rediscover collecting as a hobby. We'll see.

I love the thrift stores. Often times, you get pretty good stuff, as good as new, people move, don't want to haul their stuff, donate it all, or family members die, and family members don't want it all, or simply just gently used items, still good as new!

will discourage people new to thrifting from buying anything, even if it is something they can use or collect!

the things you buy there are somewhat different than what one buys new, such as fresh veggies and other groceries at the grocery store (not a thrift), and other things that the thrifts won't have. You don't have to do 100% of thrift, or new, you can mix and match.

I disagreed with the article, thinking as I read, where else are you going to get collector's items. especially if you're on a budget? Most families I know rely on gently used baby clothes to enhance their babies wardrobe, nursery furniture, and toys. That's an example of something you need, that you can buy new, used or be gifted. For every item the link mentioned, except underwear, I could think of a good reason to buy it used, not new.

I hope articles like that don't discourage people. I'm in a vintage mall, but they sell a lot of brand new items, gourmet food items, antiques, vintage and crafts. People might come in for a candle, but pretty soon have a basket of things to make a table arrangement. Thrifting isn't a bad choice, not as bad as the link made it out to be.

I go to the local Rec center to walk or jog in bad weather. When you come in the door three is a spot where you can leave items like cloths and food. Or you can pick out items for free. I take in lots of stuff and pick up stuff for free.
Today in the bottom of a box I spotted 4 or 5 one pound bags of walnuts. I only took 2. $7.95 in the store and I eat a lot of nuts.

it was AWESOME. I'd go w/ her for her hours there. pour thru the buttons + such. when it moved i got her to grab a pair of 1900ish 'bamboo' folding chairs + she refinished them + painted the wood slated seats black. i have 1 now. i found some great stuff there. a late 50's toaster oven for work. made the best baked potato. i found many men's rayon shirts so i could make them sleeve less for summer. best. i found a grass green, grey-gr striped 60's 'sweatshit' that was unworn condition. i spotted its twin in the old movie yours, mine, + ours. a white brocade tuxedo jacket w/ black collar. a ww2 dress coat i have worn. got a palatnik mid century critter i ebayed. last time i got 2 little tonalas i collect. i have gotten great flatware, dishes, bowl. upholstery fabric.
oh, + a very cool late 1800's caned chair w/ balls that id rather different from the ave pressed back. caned seat ruined. sadly i didn't have enough to buy the dictionary that had poontang in it.
OH!!! i was w/ my grandma + they put 2 very well made 'granny square' crochet cardigan w/ hood in the garbage bin. i grabbed the green one + told them to sell the other as it was great too. i should have saved both. for years i wore it + a coke windbreaker my uncle gave me in winter. i grabbed 50's ties, bow ties. wore those.
you never know what u can find.

and just knew you were into thrifting and other shopping I think we got most of our treasures at yard, tag, estate sales and auctions, just because we went to those more often. I think now that we aren't buying things, there are more thrift stores in our area than there were 10-15 years ago.

There is a good one just up the road from my neighborhood. I stop in once in awhile, if I need a specific thing. I usually see a few other things I might buy.

Happy hunting!

refinishing. given sad old furniture into heirlooms. i buy new underwear + lands end. that's it for new. ooh. i found a 30's stove top drip-o-later coffee pot at an estate sale. forgot where i got the victorian coffee grinder.