This is part 3 of a 5 part series on saving money on clothes. If you haven’t already read them, please check out part 1 on shopping in your own closet and part 2 on having a clothing swap.

I have to admit, I haven’t always been a big thrift shop person. I don’t know if it was pride or just laziness (generally, I only buy clothes when someone drags me out and forces me to). Or I just didn’t think of it. I’m really not sure. That all changed when Mr. Canuck Buck’s Aunt took me out shopping.

She *loves* thrift stores.  I swear the clerks actually recognize her when she shows up. She knows where to find the stuff that just came in, and how to quickly spot if anything has a serious flaw in it.

The first time I went shopping with her, I picked up 2 pairs of dress pants at no more than 10 dollars a pair. That’s a lot less than they would have cost me in the store new. And they were in perfectly good shape. No one has ever pointed at me and gone “Hey, nice thrift store pants!”  Not yet, anyways..I also picked up a lovely dress for my niece for less than 8 bucks.

The second time I needed a decent winter coat. I got a really nice one for 40 dollars. Now – that may seem high for a thrift store, but I’m happy to support a good cause (the Salvation Army in this case). And it’s a good, warm coat. Which is a must in a Canadian winter (although not at the moment – it’s crazy warm out!). I also picked up a few things for a friend’s new baby – one shirt still had the tags on it!

So, I highly recommend thrift stores. Your main choices in Canada are Goodwill, Value Village, and the Salvation Army. There are lots of ways to save extra at these places:

- The Salvation Army offers coupons and senior’s discount every day.

- Value Village offers a Super Savers Club

- Goodwill has special events. There’s a “Friday Fever” coming up this week!

What’s your best thrift store find? Mine isn’t that recent  – the best I ever got was a great “Catholic schoolgirl” outfit I wore many years ago for Halloween.

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