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Tag: Rummage Sales

Why Rummage Sales Are Great For Affordable And Sustainable Shopping — September 26, 2025

Why Rummage Sales Are Great For Affordable And Sustainable Shopping

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I love rummage sales. One of my favorite bags was bought at a local rummage sale—a vintage Coach crossbody I found for only $20. It quickly became one of my top favorites, especially since it was perfect for days when I didn’t need to carry much. The bag had just enough character without being too worn. This demonstrates why rummage sales are excellent sources for rare, vintage, and collectible items that are hard to find in regular stores.

Rummage sales are great for a variety of reasons. If you’re creative, you can find furniture, clothing, and other items that need repair or a creative update. With some imagination, you can turn these pieces into stylish additions for your home or wardrobe. One benefit of a rummage sale is that prices are often lower than in typical thrift stores because organizers aim to sell as much as possible. This also means you might find even better deals later in the day, and some sales offer a fill-a-bag deal for a small fee at the end of the event.

Rummage sales are becoming more critical in communities facing clothing insecurity. They offer affordable clothing, usually at much lower prices than department stores. Many of these events also serve as fundraisers for local charities, community programs, or schools, with the proceeds going directly to benefit the community. Attending these sales provides an opportunity to meet neighbors and build stronger community connections. Visiting rummage sales can be an enjoyable way to spend a weekend.

Rummage sales offer an eco-friendly and practical alternative to fast fashion shopping. The fast fashion industry causes problems like waste accumulation, resource depletion, unfair labor practices, and pollution. Buying from rummage sales, thrift stores, estate sales, or garage sales decreases landfill waste by giving clothing a second purpose. These types of secondhand shopping extend the life of garments, save resources, and support sustainability. By reusing and recycling items, you take part in a system that conserves natural resources and minimizes environmental impact.

Look for local rummage sales in newspapers, Facebook groups, Craigslist, and similar platforms. My top tip: arrive early to access the best selection of quality items. Though they might cost more, these items sell quickly and are often priced below market value.

For valuable insights from top resources on thrift shopping and sustainability, visit my Facebook page, ToniOnThrifting. Let’s prioritize reducing, reusing, and recycling.

Until next time, Happy Thrifting!

How Thrift Shopping is Changing in 2025 — May 4, 2025

How Thrift Shopping is Changing in 2025

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According to the Thred Up 2024 Annual Report, two-fifths of the clothing items purchased were secondhand. The report also states that 55% of consumers say that if the economy doesn’t improve, they’ll spend more of their apparel budget on secondhand, and 60% say shopping for secondhand apparel gives them the most bang for their buck.

I have seen this increase in the number of people shopping in the thrift stores I visit; prices are starting to increase in some stores. Some thrift store managers state that more resellers than ever are shopping to increase their inventory; quite a few thrift stores are now checking Poshmark and eBay to see what their items are worth and adjusting their pricing. The demand for second-hand clothing is increasing dramatically every year. I know of one thrift store that has adjusted its pricing by charging Poshmark prices. Rummage sales and thrift stores have special sections with new items with tags and designer merchandise. It is a sign of this new thrifting era.

With this many people shopping secondhand, it is harder to find the bargains of yesteryear, but don’t despair. There are still plenty of bargains out there; it just takes a world of patience now. I love local rummage sales, especially when the money goes back into the community (The same for smaller independent stores, where the money goes right back into the community).  Rummage sales are gaining in popularity by leaps and bounds. I recently went to a rummage sale in Westchester County that started at 9 am. I got there at 8:30 am to get in line, and there were 64 people ahead of me. That was unheard of just a few years ago. The good news is that most rummage sales have fixed pricing on clothing and shoes. Fixed pricing usually does not include high-end merchandise, but if it does, jackpot! Patience and a good eye will always be the key to excellent thrift shopping scores.

Thrift store shoppers save approximately $1,760 each year by making purchases secondhand. Approximately one-third of clothing and apparel items purchased in the U.S. over the past year were secondhand. In 2023, the U.S. secondhand market generated an estimated $53 billion in revenue. Resellers are also taking advantage of the booming thrifting business. For some, it is a full-time business; for others, it is a way to make ends meet.

I still love the thrill of the hunt when thrift shopping and seeing so many people that I have become friendly with on the thrifting circuit. So go out there and REDUCE, REUSE, AND RECYCLE, and most of all, enjoy finding those great bargains that we all love to brag about and show off. There are still plenty of bargains out there. So keep thrifting!

Please check out my Facebook page for local sales!

Until next time, Happy Thrifting!