Second Hand Shopping Guide

The following modified list is from http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/10/23/frugality-in-practice-shopping-for-second-hand-clothes/, which is a handy guide for the first time thrift store shopper. 

1. Set a budget. This is difficult at first — you don’t know how much things cost. But eventually you’ll be able to tell yourself, “I’m going spend $20 today”. It becomes a game to see how much you can buy for $20.
2. Discard your prejudices. Some people consider thrift stores and used clothing shops nasty dirty places. Some are. Most aren’t. Explore your neighborhood. Find a shop or two that you like, and you’ll be hooked. 
3. Go with a friend. It’s good to have a second opinion. Your friend may have an eye for what looks good on you — and vice versa.
4. Try things on. Sizes vary widely between manufacturers and even by eras. (Today’s clothes have looser fits.) But go in knowing your general size and measurements. Note that some places don’t have dressing rooms, so it’s smart to wear a modest thin layer in case you need to strip down in the aisle.
5. Examine each item thoroughly. It sucks to get home to find your new shirt has a hole in the pocket. Or that the slacks you thought were a steal actually have a broken zipper.
6. Check washing instructions. You don’t want to pay $3 for a silk blouse if you’ll never dry-clean it.
7. Use the tags as a guide to find quality brands you like, but don’t limit yourself. Sometimes a brand you’ve never heard of can yield a favorite piece of clothing.
8. Think layers. Maybe that shirt with a stain on the sleeve has a great collar for wearing under a sweater. For $3, you can afford to buy a single-purpose shirt.
9. Use thrift stores as a way to diversify your wardrobe. Buy colors and styles on which you normally wouldn’t spend much. Wear the new clothes a few times to see how you like them, and to gauge the reaction of others.
10. Used clothing stores are great for certain accessories. Why pay $30 for a new belt in a department store when you can get a better belt in your size for just $2? I like to shop at second-hand stores for hats. (Nice hats.)
11. Look for clothes new with tags. Sometimes unsold department store inventory finds its way to used clothing stores and thrift shops. You’ll generally pay more for these items, but not much.
12. If you won’t wear it, don’t buy it. You don’t save money buying a $3 shirt if it just sits in your closet for two years.
13. Wash clothes when you get them home.
14. Watch for sales. Used clothing stores (and thrift stores) run periodic specials.  Value Village has a different discount per day of the week; senior citizen, orange tags, etc.
    
15. If you go to the same store often, ask when they rotate stock. Stores get new shipments regularly. Most also have extra stock in storage. If you become familiar with the owners, you might even ask them to keep an eye out for particular items.
16. If buying used clothes becomes a habit, institute a “one in-one out policy”. Every time you bring home something new, get rid of something old. (Give it away, take it to a thrift store, or save it for a garage sale.)
17. Have fun! Buying used clothing can save you money. It’s also a fun way to kill a Saturday afternoon. At $3 an item, you can afford to be adventurous sometimes.

Too old for this

I went out last night and it was pretty fun. But the entire time i'm thinking I did laundry today and my sheets are all fresh and clean and my bed is made and i could be at home all cozy between the covers watching a movie and curled up with my pets.......oh my pets i wonder how they are doing home alone this evening....what time is it i feel like we've been out for hours oh it's only 11pm?....really? ...i thought it was at least 2am....wow these bars are too crowded tonight.....ughh i hate people especially crowds of 21 yr old army guys....and even worse than 21 yr old silly army guys are the vapid 24 yr old wanna be army wives all bleached out and trashed dancing out of sync to the band....wow this music is just a little too loud...i love this band but it would be so much more enjoyable if they'd just turn the music down a little......omg are they even carding because those kids don't look old enough to be in a bar; oh my goodness i think i used to babysit that girl....man what time is it??....i need to get home because I have things to do tommorrow....and it dawns on me that i am really getting too old for this.........so i went home!