My favourite game, when I was a young girl, was Guess Who. We’re talking the 80’s here.
Because I try to relive my own childhood through my children 😉 I proudly presented my 7-year-old daughter with a new version of the game.
Disappointed! (imagine this said by Kevin Kline in a Fish called Wanda – I’m definitely an 80’s gal).
My motto…If it ain’t broke don’t fix it…. Oh, but they did…
So, a woman on a mission, I tasked my Mom (a regular charity-shop-shopper) with tracking down a retro version of my much-loved Guess Who.
Now this was a while back. So much so, I’d almost forgotten I’d made the request.
Then this post popped up over at The Frugal Girl, last Friday, and it all came back to me. What a beautiful image of a retro Connect 4…
Then lookie here what turned up Tuesday…
Oh yes, I love such random occurrences.
Not quite the 80’s version I’d dreamed of, rather a turn of the millennium edition. But still a much better design and build-quality than the recent Guess Who I’d purchased.
This recent discovery has made me question whether I may need to rethink my purchasing habits.
Could it be that a list made up of non-urgent items be drawn up, and should I pass a charity shop I pop in? Or maybe my Mom, the well-versed chaser (pronounced ch-az-er), could do the hunting for me?
I certainly would not want to start making non-necessary purchases!
I’m wondering, where does everyone else sit on the charity shop/goodwill store debate? Am I missing a trick or just avoiding impulse purchases?
Any top tips to share on how to do it efficiently and effectively (for someone who hates shopping?)?
I’m one of those people who hate shopping and dislike the idea of going into a store to “just look”, at the same time I’d rather not pay full price for stuff. My (mostly) happy compromise has been to keep a running list of what I need/want and browsing yard sales / thrift stores on a regular schedule. I tend to keep these browsing sessions short to keep my sanity.
Thanks Elizabeth – sounds like a plan to me. The thought of going through tons of stuff in a shop does not appeal. Particularly as I am one of those people who can see untapped potential in redundant items and will suddenly start conjuring up all sorts of new (and never finished) creative projects. I reckon a hit-list that I issue out (to my Mom!) may be on the cards.
I’m one of those people who hate shopping and dislike the idea of going into a store to “just look”, at the same time I’d rather not pay full price for stuff. My (mostly) happy compromise has been to keep a running list of what I need/want and browsing yard sales / thrift stores on a regular schedule. I tend to keep these browsing sessions short to keep my sanity.
Thanks Elizabeth – sounds like a plan to me. The thought of going through tons of stuff in a shop does not appeal. Particularly as I am one of those people who can see untapped potential in redundant items and will suddenly start conjuring up all sorts of new (and never finished) creative projects. I reckon a hit-list that I issue out (to my Mom!) may be on the cards.
I volunteered in the local thrift shop for years. That way I regularly saw what came in and almost always found something I was looking for. And after a while I lost the urge to buy the “great deal” that I might see if I didn’t really need it. I don’t know if this is an option for you, but it worked for me.
I’m pretty good at resisting impulse purchases (most of the time) particularly from normal retailers… it does concern me however that the stock in a charity shop is predominately pre-loved and I wonder if I will get my ‘creative recycling’ head on and suddenly think up a lot of projects that have merit, but I know I’d never finish and thus become clutter.
I volunteered in the local thrift shop for years. That way I regularly saw what came in and almost always found something I was looking for. And after a while I lost the urge to buy the “great deal” that I might see if I didn’t really need it. I don’t know if this is an option for you, but it worked for me.
I’m pretty good at resisting impulse purchases (most of the time) particularly from normal retailers… it does concern me however that the stock in a charity shop is predominately pre-loved and I wonder if I will get my ‘creative recycling’ head on and suddenly think up a lot of projects that have merit, but I know I’d never finish and thus become clutter.
I’m also of the ‘creative recycling’ mindset, so I’ve learned to avoid the second-hand stores unless I have a specific item in mind. Keeping a list, as you suggested, is good. Sending your mom sounds like a good plan, too, if she’s extra-good at staying focused on the prize 🙂
I think the Mom option is coming out the highest on the poll!
I’m also of the ‘creative recycling’ mindset, so I’ve learned to avoid the second-hand stores unless I have a specific item in mind. Keeping a list, as you suggested, is good. Sending your mom sounds like a good plan, too, if she’s extra-good at staying focused on the prize 🙂
I think the Mom option is coming out the highest on the poll!
I struggle with the idea of buying everything second hand (as it feels like others I know in the blogosphere do). I simply don’t have the time to look in that many stores, that often. At least with clothing, it’s too hard to sift through everything. Sad but true. With something like a potato press/masher, my options were $8 at the grocery store, $2 at the chinese store, and free from the Op Shop (he knows me now, and I say hi at least once a week). But that was a non urgent item… I did note other utensils were FAR better quality than what’s in the grocery store… Tough question – a list wouldn’t hurt – of course I love lists!
Hey Sarah… the trawling through the shops really is a non-starter for me. It feels like a waste as I don’t enjoy it. It’s weighing up time versus cost for me, and also whether I can get what I need or whether it’s a compromise! It is a difficult one.
I struggle with the idea of buying everything second hand (as it feels like others I know in the blogosphere do). I simply don’t have the time to look in that many stores, that often. At least with clothing, it’s too hard to sift through everything. Sad but true. With something like a potato press/masher, my options were $8 at the grocery store, $2 at the chinese store, and free from the Op Shop (he knows me now, and I say hi at least once a week). But that was a non urgent item… I did note other utensils were FAR better quality than what’s in the grocery store… Tough question – a list wouldn’t hurt – of course I love lists!
Hey Sarah… the trawling through the shops really is a non-starter for me. It feels like a waste as I don’t enjoy it. It’s weighing up time versus cost for me, and also whether I can get what I need or whether it’s a compromise! It is a difficult one.