PAGE 34 From Junk to Junque
and are committed to “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle” as the Environ- mental Protection Agency encour- ages. Buying used or repurposed items can eliminate thousands of pounds of trash we from being added to our landfills weekly. That is an important reason to reuse what we can before we buy new. Everyone has their own reasons for junking but my habit began when
In this series of articles, I will
provide some tips on how to Junk Like a Pro. There is an old saying, “one person’s trash is another per- son’s treasure,” and it is oh, so true. Thrift stores are in vogue —
again. What’s old is new. “Second hand” stores have evolved into trendy consignment shops, and thrift stores have supplanted garage sales to become one-stop-shopping superstores for collectors searching for treasure. Why all the interest in repur-
posed stuff? In today’s economy many families are on a limited budget and thrifty shopping is down-right practical. Regardless of the economy, everyone loves a good bargain! And, never under es- timate the thrill of the hunt for the next great find. Other practical reasons come to
mind for junking. Today many of us are concerned about conservation
By Laurie Malmstrom I enjoy crafts and have learned
that I can find many of the craft ma- terials that I need at second-hand stores. Recently, some of the lace that I have collected from thrift stores came in very handy when my daughter and granddaughter worked on a craft project using lace to make crowns. I have also found fabric remnants to create Barbie doll fashions for as little as 25 cents. By shopping at thrift stores I
was able to help a friend furnish his kitchen with all the basics on a very modest budget. I have visited thrift stores in different states and I have been able to complete a set of glass star dishes that I like to use for spe- cial holiday meals. I’ve also learned that if you see something you like, purchase it immediately before someone else buys it. Thrift stores are generally oper-
I was searching for paperback books by my favorite author. Not only did I find the sought-after pa- perbacks, but I unearthed hardcover books for under $2. After reading them, I donated them to my favorite thrift store and got a receipt for tax purposes. Speaking of donating, I make it a point to clean out the garage and my closets and cup- boards at least yearly; if it hasn’t been used or worn in a year, I do- nate it to the local thrift store so someone else can enjoy it.
ated by nonprofit organizations as a way to fund projects for the needy.
When that is the case, you will not have to pay sales tax on your pur- chases. There are a variety of thrift stores in the area that can fulfill your various shopping needs. These types of stores have a
constant turnover of merchandise. Plan to stop in frequently if you are searching for something in particu- lar. Always decide what you are looking for ahead of time. Are you shopping for a few cute stuff accent pieces, searching for project materi- als, or maybe you need a costume? Or do you have something very spe- cific in mind? My friends in the UK love to shop at our thrift stores when they are here for a visit and I do the same when I visit them. People across the globe are junking be- cause it is smart and, oh so, fashion- able.
Next month: Thrift stores and
secondhand stores in our area and bargain hunting tips.
MARCH 2013
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48