How To Shop Smart // April haul post

April 26, 2016

(*looks up* those are my favorite purchases)

I'm often asked "How do you get THAT for such a low price??". It really is being patient and searching for the good deals. When shopping at Goodwill, I have this little strategy to cover the most space in a short period of time. I start out by scanning over books quickly (and try to avoid bumping into that dude because you were intently looking down and not up..), then rushing over to the tunics. I glance at the purses, and finally reach the shoes.

Then, I arrive at the shirts. This usually take the longest, but take your time. I have failed to see many a shirt (which the girls find on their comb through) because I was rushing. By now, I have a ton of stuff in my arms waiting to be tried on. Quickly go do that now. If nothing works in that pile, you may have time to go try again. I also go through capris, jeans, and skirts if necessary.

 I know, I know. I may have a spending problem. But, according to my calculator app, I've only spent 41.61 all month. That includes a few items that I don't normally buy; a birthday gift (not listed), my water bottle, and mascara (a bi-monthly purchase??) and spray paint. But, come on, that was fun!

How do YOU shop??
What is your favorite item that I bought?


28 comments:

  1. I love shopping at thrift stores. there isnt really a goodwill around by me, sadly, but when I can get down there I like it :) I love new clothes, but hate spending like over $20 for a shirt, you know? anyhow, yes! thrift stores are the best place for books. I have a collection of all my favorite novels that I have slowly acquired via thrift store scavenging. lol.

    great post! thanks for sharing!

    princessfaithm.blogspot.com

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    1. wow. THAT IS DEPRESSING. I can literally think of 4 within a 20 minute (one actually just came to the town 7 minutes away..) drive in each direction from my house...and then 2 REALLY good ones about 40 minutes away. Oh yes. I actually probably could never get myself to spent that much on a shirt.. I feel like $3.99 is crazy!! lol lame, I know. How many books do you have?? I just counted to discover I own........

      126 BOOKS!!!!!!!!!!!! IKR?!

      Aw, thanks!! I think I'll keep up with it monthly, for fun. :D

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  2. Those books look delightful! I have a fair collection of second hand ones too! Books in Australia are just SO expensive.. don't get me started on the price of hardbacks... Great post!

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    1. I am REALLY enjoying "Death Comes to Pemberly"! Have you seen the miniseries? Oh wow! Really, like how expensive? If I bought these books at a "legit" book store, they would cost me $18-25 dollars I think. The most I've spent on a book is $5..it was at the library book sale and the COVER..goodness. to die for. Thanks girl ;)

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  3. Great finds! I always head straight for the books first... it looks like you found some wonderful finds this time!

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    1. LOL! Really? I guess it calls loudly ;) I really did.. I actually forgot to show one AND then one other book had a sticker on it with the city where I live, so I left it out of the photos. :P

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    2. Oh, and I also nominated you for the Infinity Dreams tag, i you're interested!
      http://apurposeandapromise.blogspot.com/2016/04/the-infinity-dreams-tag.html

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  4. Yes! Shopping at op shops (thrift stores) is my favourite! Looks like you scored pretty well. ;) It's interesting to hear your order of operations at Goodwill. I mostly quickly flip through the clothes, and then head for the books, unless I specifically need some item of clothing. Except at the moment I'm trying to restrain from looking at the books because I promised myself I wouldn't buy any more until I've caught up on reading everything I have stacked up. It's kind of torturous. Do you find it easy to buy more books (especially at such bargain prices!) before you've caught up reading ones you already have? Or are you a super fast reader?

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    1. I think I did! I honestly love going to thrift shops. Its usually my meeting place with friends. LOL! Ohhh dear me, yes.. I used to laugh and go "how is it possible for people to NOT read the books they buy??" I am slowing starting to realize how it happens... :P I am scolding myself, so I AM reading Death Comes to Pemberly to prove to myself that I can read them all. haha! I am a pretty fast reader actually -- well really depending on the book. One book may be an easy read and I could finish it in a day, while another book could be a really deep novel and could take me 6 days! What about for you?

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    2. Oh, op shopping with friends would be lots of fun!

      Yes, I always thought it was crazy how people could actually have un-read books sitting around too! I guess now I have more sympathy. :)

      I generally read pretty fast. If it's a well-written story I normally can't help myself from reading it in a day, or even a sitting! But then, books that are a bit harder to read, or deeper and need 'digesting' can take me a couple of weeks...

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  5. Very cute graphics by the way!! ;) I'm gonna call you the Bargain Queen lol!

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    1. I knew you would like them!! I actually had fun with the graphic designs this time... That was literally a first. :P Haha! I shall take that title ;)

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  6. I may have a spending problem too. ;-P Well, where books are concerned at least! But let's not talk about that...

    I don't really like clothes shopping (because I don't like clothing stores and I'm not really that into clothes anyway -- I mean, I like having stuff to wear of COURSE but I don't care a lot about style), but I make exceptions for certain stores. One of them is the Tractor Supply. I just went there yesterday, actually, and bought a dress and a denim skirt which I LOVE. :-)

    You sound like a smart shopper, Julia! Looks like you found some nice things. :-)

    ~Emma

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    1. Goodness.. I guess we should work on that. lol! Books -- YES! I could literally find 1,000 dollars and go spend that all on books...okay, that may be exaggerating..and besides, who randomly finds $1,000?!

      Really?? I love buying new clothes. :P It's actually rather bad...haha! Last summer I literally couldn't find any T-shirts, so I had a boring summer wardrobe. But now, I keep on finding stuff and can't pass it up.... *cringe* OH MY GOODNESS. I went to Tractor Supply on Monday and were DROOOLLLLIIINNGGG over the shirts and boots. Don't get me started on the boots.

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  7. Thrift stores are awesome!!! You got so many great deals! You got all this at Goodwill??? Wow!!!!!

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    1. They literally are!! IKR?! I love buying books for a dollar. Actually, I didn't get ALL of this from goodwill. I wanted to mention that in my post -- but I ran out of space..and my brain forgot! LOL I bought all the books, clothing, clothing hangers and that random bowl. lol! Thing like candy, seeds, and makeup I buy from the grocery store.

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  8. Goodwill is amazing! I have one about an hour away from me, so when I get the chance to go there I always have a little too much fun. ;)

    ~Lydia~ <3

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    1. I agree!! Hahaa, I like how it has SO many different things, yet, the store isn't gigantic, so if you've got an hour you can actually look at everything! It's a great place to goof off ;)

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  9. Great post! Thank you for the tips. Can you do a post similar to this every month? I like to save money, and I welcome any tips and hints you can give me. :) I would love to see a post like this ever month.

    ~Ash

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    1. I plan on doing a haul post with random tips each month. I'm glad you would, Ashley. I'll keep doing it then :)

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  10. Loved this post!!!! I usually never shopped at goodwill until recently cause I wanted to make one of those jean jackets with the sweatshirt sleeves (I don't know the official name for them haha;) and so I went to goodwill for a cheap jean jacket I could rip up and I found one for 3.99!!! Now I'm hooked lol! Theres just something about buying something for soo cheap that makes me jump for joy!! lol!

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    1. Oh I've seen those!! They're so cute! Did it turn out? Being hooked on Goodwill is totally a good thing. ;) It's literally got about everything..there are a few random things I just would never buy used. But, seriously, Goodwill rocks!

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    2. Ikr!? Being hooked on goodwill is a whole lot better than being hooked on macys or some other super-high-pricey-store lol!;) I havnt actually completed the jacket yet...but it looks ok so far!(I'm hoping it will stay that way;)

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  11. This is ridiculously hard for me to fathom. *More* than this, and you only spent $42?! Agh. I spent $56 within the last month, and I didn't GET anything. Haha! I did, but not much "just for"... I bought the supplies to make three gifts, mailed two of them, and bought stamps. I *love* giving gifts... but I don't exactly have those sitting around anymore, haha. Then I bought some canvases, stencils, paintbrushes, and paint at Hobby Lobby... those are going to be used for my Etsy shop, so everything but the re-usable paintbrushes and stencils won't be around long, haha (on the flip side, though, I'll get paid for buying those eventually ;) ). The two things I did get that I'll keep were hair ties -I was out of brown (where do they go?!) and all my black ones were stretched to the point of breaking- and some necklaces charms... but I still have to get a matching chain before I can use them. Too bad Goodwill doesn't sell craft supplies ;)!

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    1. lol!! I guess I would have to say it was really Goodwill. :P It sounds like you still bought some cool stuff though!! I also try to purchase stuff that will last me a while, like clothing, good shoes, books, etc. Then, the random luxury of candy and stuff. lol!! Oh. I KNOW. Pony tails RUN away or something!! :P well, goodwill does sell random craft supplies..but not what you want. lol

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  12. Wow! You bought a lot of great items, I especially like the shoes. Great job!
    Geneva

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    1. IKR?!! Those shoes are sooooo comfortable too. I wore them to the zoo today AND MY FEET DON'T HURT AT ALL. Sooo glad I bought them :D

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*reluctantly hands cone over*