Thrifty vs. Cheap when it comes to kids' stuff (clothes, school supplies, etc..)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Framed things for the wall (e.g. large framed Matisse print)

Aaahhhhh, this explains SOOOOO much. Now I get why you think it is okay to shop at Thrift Stores for your children.

My DD loves Matisse. You don't. Whatever.

I think they're referring to the fact that it's a framed print...

So I am supposed to buy only the original? Or tack a poster to DD's wall?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I agree. There are many other ways to be environmentally-conscious. Save the thrift store deals for those who truly need them.

Again. Thrift stores stay in business BY SELLING THINGS. Please explain how not buying things from thrift stores helps thrift stores stay in business.

(I'm also curious about whether you apply this kind of thinking to any other commercial transaction. "No, I'm sorry, I always only pay full retail price; I'm trying to save the deals for those who truly need them.")

My mother worked at a thrift store. Their biggest problem was people coming in on "re-stock day" and snapping up all the good stuff to sell for a profit on e-bay. It made her mad and I agree. They never lacked for customers. I don't donate to Goodwill and Salvation Army to help "thrifty" DCUM-ers pay for college. Shop sales all you want but thrift store donations are not intended for you.

If I found something on sale at a store and either used it myself or resold it - who cares? The store made their sale to a paying customer. Thrift shop donations are to make a profit for whatever the causes are identified by the institution. Oh wait, did I miss the big sign that says, "Please take your business elsewhere if you earn more than $50,000/year."?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I would consider people who shop at thrift shops poor, not cheap.

Please keep thinking this. Please also keep donating your almost-new brand-name stuff to the thrift stores. Because if you didn't, then I couldn't buy it. Thank you!

+1

Our annual HHI is $200K but many of our clothes and household items come from Value Village.

+200

I'm the original poster who said I think people who shop at thrift shops are poor and not cheap.

We currently have a HHI of $700k+. However, we were at $200k a few years ago before DH started earning. I went to a thrift shop once and I felt dirty just being in there. I would not be proud shopping at a thrift shop. Fine if you do.

Wow! You are such a colossal SNOB!!!!

Really, what a judgmental bitch! I'm pretty shocked that someone can genuinely be such a snob. Do you share such views in person too? If so, I hope the reaction of others around you is a lesson to you.

Do you have any antiques in your home? If so, you do realize they are "used" too? If you want to waste your money, and the world's resources then fine by me. Just know that I (and many others) think you are an idiot for doing so. I am very proud that most of my kids clothes come from Value Village. There is nothing righteous about wasting money. Not only that but most of the clothes are of good quality and often brand new and good brands. Most of their toys come from there too. When we are done with their clothes and toys we donate them to Goodwill (we also shop there) or pass them on to friends and neighbors. We have a great lifestyle because we don't waste money unnecessarily, we also save a ton and have no debt which I doubt I can say of someone who is as much of a snob as you. You're probably mortgaged to the hilt and when either you or your husband loses your job will have to foreclose quickly and ultimately find yourself shopping at "dirty" thrift stores for financial reasons. Oh, how the rest of us will laugh).

We are not snobs. We both come from humble beginnings. DH worked his ass off because he grew up poor. His parents still did not buy him clothes from a thrift shop either! We both worked in high school and bought our own clothes. We have strong work ethic. DH is also obsessed with saving so we have no debt. We are also very thrifty.

Maybe your poor kids will work hard and eventually earn $500k+ because they hated being poor when they were kids like we did...

I would hope my kids would take money they earn and spend it wisely. A teen wanting ("needing") a $150 pair of jeans is fine...if she can get them for $20 + countless other things good for her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I agree. There are many other ways to be environmentally-conscious. Save the thrift store deals for those who truly need them.

Again. Thrift stores stay in business BY SELLING THINGS. Please explain how not buying things from thrift stores helps thrift stores stay in business.

(I'm also curious about whether you apply this kind of thinking to any other commercial transaction. "No, I'm sorry, I always only pay full retail price; I'm trying to save the deals for those who truly need them.")

My mother worked at a thrift store. Their biggest problem was people coming in on "re-stock day" and snapping up all the good stuff to sell for a profit on e-bay. It made her mad and I agree. They never lacked for customers. I don't donate to Goodwill and Salvation Army to help "thrifty" DCUM-ers pay for college. Shop sales all you want but thrift store donations are not intended for you.

If I found something on sale at a store and either used it myself or resold it - who cares? The store made their sale to a paying customer. Thrift shop donations are to make a profit for whatever the causes are identified by the institution. Oh wait, did I miss the big sign that says, "Please take your business elsewhere if you earn more than $50,000/year."?

Sorry, but the fact that something is allowable, doesn't make it morally right. The bottom line is there are not enough good quality, $1 shirts to go around. When you buy that shirt, the mom on the other side of the tracks who is trying to support 3 kids on a minimum-wage job can't. Would you also eat at a soup kitchen just because you can?

[Anonymous]

I don't shop at thrift stores because they smell. I have no problem buying some used kids items on Criagslist. But not the clothes. The clothing is so cheap these days - IMO anyone can afford it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I agree. There are many other ways to be environmentally-conscious. Save the thrift store deals for those who truly need them.

Again. Thrift stores stay in business BY SELLING THINGS. Please explain how not buying things from thrift stores helps thrift stores stay in business.

(I'm also curious about whether you apply this kind of thinking to any other commercial transaction. "No, I'm sorry, I always only pay full retail price; I'm trying to save the deals for those who truly need them.")

My mother worked at a thrift store. Their biggest problem was people coming in on "re-stock day" and snapping up all the good stuff to sell for a profit on e-bay. It made her mad and I agree. They never lacked for customers. I don't donate to Goodwill and Salvation Army to help "thrifty" DCUM-ers pay for college. Shop sales all you want but thrift store donations are not intended for you.

This is false as applied to Goodwill.

My friend is an executive with Goodwill, and she has told me many times over that there are two purposes for their retail stores: (1) to generate much-needed income to fund their welfare-to-work programs and other costly job training services; and (2) to provide retail jobs for their clients (welfare-to-work or otherwise).

She was very clear that they welcome ALL SHOPPERS, not just low-income shoppers. In fact, she said they NEED shoppers with the disposable income to shop there frequently. Otherwise, they would never make their budget.

So to the frugal/thrifty among us -- please, please, please continue shopping at Goodwill. It's a wonderful organization and they need your support.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I agree. There are many other ways to be environmentally-conscious. Save the thrift store deals for those who truly need them.

Again. Thrift stores stay in business BY SELLING THINGS. Please explain how not buying things from thrift stores helps thrift stores stay in business.

(I'm also curious about whether you apply this kind of thinking to any other commercial transaction. "No, I'm sorry, I always only pay full retail price; I'm trying to save the deals for those who truly need them.")

My mother worked at a thrift store. Their biggest problem was people coming in on "re-stock day" and snapping up all the good stuff to sell for a profit on e-bay. It made her mad and I agree. They never lacked for customers. I don't donate to Goodwill and Salvation Army to help "thrifty" DCUM-ers pay for college. Shop sales all you want but thrift store donations are not intended for you.

If I found something on sale at a store and either used it myself or resold it - who cares? The store made their sale to a paying customer. Thrift shop donations are to make a profit for whatever the causes are identified by the institution. Oh wait, did I miss the big sign that says, "Please take your business elsewhere if you earn more than $50,000/year."?

Sorry, but the fact that something is allowable, doesn't make it morally right. The bottom line is there are not enough good quality, $1 shirts to go around. When you buy that shirt, the mom on the other side of the tracks who is trying to support 3 kids on a minimum-wage job can't. Would you also eat at a soup kitchen just because you can?

I don't agree, sorry. If you saw a $1 shirt at Janie & Jack, would you buy it if it fit your kid or say, "Gee the person who comes after me may earn less or be hard on her luck. I'll save it for her?" Ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I agree. There are many other ways to be environmentally-conscious. Save the thrift store deals for those who truly need them.

Again. Thrift stores stay in business BY SELLING THINGS. Please explain how not buying things from thrift stores helps thrift stores stay in business.

(I'm also curious about whether you apply this kind of thinking to any other commercial transaction. "No, I'm sorry, I always only pay full retail price; I'm trying to save the deals for those who truly need them.")

My mother worked at a thrift store. Their biggest problem was people coming in on "re-stock day" and snapping up all the good stuff to sell for a profit on e-bay. It made her mad and I agree. They never lacked for customers. I don't donate to Goodwill and Salvation Army to help "thrifty" DCUM-ers pay for college. Shop sales all you want but thrift store donations are not intended for you.

If I found something on sale at a store and either used it myself or resold it - who cares? The store made their sale to a paying customer. Thrift shop donations are to make a profit for whatever the causes are identified by the institution. Oh wait, did I miss the big sign that says, "Please take your business elsewhere if you earn more than $50,000/year."?

Sorry, but the fact that something is allowable, doesn't make it morally right. The bottom line is there are not enough good quality, $1 shirts to go around. When you buy that shirt, the mom on the other side of the tracks who is trying to support 3 kids on a minimum-wage job can't. Would you also eat at a soup kitchen just because you can?

I don't agree, sorry. If you saw a $1 shirt at Janie & Jack, would you buy it if it fit your kid or say, "Gee the person who comes after me may earn less or be hard on her luck. I'll save it for her?" Ridiculous.

Yes, because I've always been struck by all the low-income shoppers at Janie and Jack.

[Anonymous]

I'll just make a pledge right now to NEVER EVER be silent if I hear my kids make fun of someone for what they wear or what they look like. I will grab my kid by the ear and yank them out of the mall/store/schoolyard/whatever and expect a heartfelt apology. No way.

ps: I grew up in the Pretty in Pink and Breakfast Club generation. Thrift shopping was considered cool (I thought)! Big blazers rolled at the cuffs, slashed crappy overdyed jeans, bangles, old sneaks... was I missing something? Maybe I got lucky, going to a fairly international, mixed-income, artsy-and-brainy school with an active Physics Club, Amnesty International Club, Stained Glass Club (!), and school newspaper. A place for every nerdy misfit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I would consider people who shop at thrift shops poor, not cheap.

Please keep thinking this. Please also keep donating your almost-new brand-name stuff to the thrift stores. Because if you didn't, then I couldn't buy it. Thank you!

+1

Our annual HHI is $200K but many of our clothes and household items come from Value Village.

+200

I'm the original poster who said I think people who shop at thrift shops are poor and not cheap.

We currently have a HHI of $700k+. However, we were at $200k a few years ago before DH started earning. I went to a thrift shop once and I felt dirty just being in there. I would not be proud shopping at a thrift shop. Fine if you do.

Well, according to our HHI you are considered rich. So, you probably don't feel like you belong with the rest of us in the actual middle class. Nothing wrong with that. My own mother feels that way. I however, do not and I'm proud and happy to shop second hand and save my family some money. We do not have extra money to just spread around. We actually have to watch our dollars and put them to use to keep a roof over our heads and food on the table.

My parents did not have much money. They still did not take me to thrift shops to buy clothes. I would have been mortified as a middle/high school student shopping at thrift stores. I really don't think anyone I know shops at thrift stores.

My sister in law who was born with a silver spoon in her mouth (as in, a 10,000/month trust fund baby starting from 18 years old and who spent $5,000/month - seriously - on clothes) almost died when she went in and got 2 pairs of Diesel jeans for $10 each from Value Village and said, "I've been a FOOL all this time!" Question: Would you rather your parents clothe you in the creame de la creame OR pay your college in full + leave you millions upon their death? Gee, I hope I picked the right answer for my kids (who currently have, at the ages of 3 + 7) a combined $325,000 in their 529 plans. Do you really think my kid who is now 7 will look back when I can pay for her college outright and be pissed I put her in designer, inexpensive, previously worn clothes? And for what it is worth, we drive modest cars and live modestly ourselves.

I very much appreciate this. I am $90,000 in student loan debt. My parents had the money but spent it on cars, interior decor, and houses. I can't tell you how many arguments I have had with my parents on how they squandered money. And now, one of them comes to me for money. I honestly wish you had been my parents, because I would be lightyears better off without student loans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
We currently have a HHI of $700k+. However, we were at $200k a few years ago before DH started earning. I went to a thrift shop once and I felt dirty just being in there. I would not be proud shopping at a thrift shop. Fine if you do.

It's not the store's fault you feel dirty. If you need to figure that out, that's what therapy's for. With your HHI, you should be able to afford it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Sorry, but the fact that something is allowable, doesn't make it morally right. The bottom line is there are not enough good quality, $1 shirts to go around. When you buy that shirt, the mom on the other side of the tracks who is trying to support 3 kids on a minimum-wage job can't. Would you also eat at a soup kitchen just because you can?

So if you find something at Gap or Old Navy at a ridiculous discount, do you buy it or do you think, wait, let's leave it for the low-income mom who'll come by eventually?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I agree. There are many other ways to be environmentally-conscious. Save the thrift store deals for those who truly need them.

Again. Thrift stores stay in business BY SELLING THINGS. Please explain how not buying things from thrift stores helps thrift stores stay in business.

(I'm also curious about whether you apply this kind of thinking to any other commercial transaction. "No, I'm sorry, I always only pay full retail price; I'm trying to save the deals for those who truly need them.")

My mother worked at a thrift store. Their biggest problem was people coming in on "re-stock day" and snapping up all the good stuff to sell for a profit on e-bay. It made her mad and I agree. They never lacked for customers. I don't donate to Goodwill and Salvation Army to help "thrifty" DCUM-ers pay for college. Shop sales all you want but thrift store donations are not intended for you.

This is false as applied to Goodwill.

My friend is an executive with Goodwill, and she has told me many times over that there are two purposes for their retail stores: (1) to generate much-needed income to fund their welfare-to-work programs and other costly job training services; and (2) to provide retail jobs for their clients (welfare-to-work or otherwise).

She was very clear that they welcome ALL SHOPPERS, not just low-income shoppers. In fact, she said they NEED shoppers with the disposable income to shop there frequently. Otherwise, they would never make their budget.

So to the frugal/thrifty among us -- please, please, please continue shopping at Goodwill. It's a wonderful organization and they need your support.

Or, you could support a great cause (and I agree that Goodwill is a terrific one) by making lots of donations and saving the "deals" for those who truly need them. That's what our family does but hey, whatever you're comfortable with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Sorry, but the fact that something is allowable, doesn't make it morally right. The bottom line is there are not enough good quality, $1 shirts to go around. When you buy that shirt, the mom on the other side of the tracks who is trying to support 3 kids on a minimum-wage job can't. Would you also eat at a soup kitchen just because you can?

So if you find something at Gap or Old Navy at a ridiculous discount, do you buy it or do you think, wait, let's leave it for the low-income mom who'll come by eventually?

Last time I checked Gap and Old Navy weren't selling charitable donations.

[Anonymous]

We actually shop at thrift stores for certain items because we need to. As it is - we are practically in the red every month with our budget. It kind of aggravates me to hear the veiled judgements in some of these posts about "feeling dirty" and how second hand is not good enough for your kids. Some of you need a reality check.