If you have growing kids, you would know the struggle of changing their wardrobe often. Apart from physically exhausting to shop for clothes, it is also costly to buy brand new ones. The summer vacation of many students just started a few weeks ago, but parents usually prepare for a new school year within this period.
Good thing that there are thrift stores scattered around the country. Buying clothes and other back-to-school items here is practical because your kids will likely outgrow most of those things in a year or so.
Back-to-School Items You Can Find in Thrift Stores
When you have children who are going back to school this September, here are some everyday items in a thrift store that may be useful to you:
Clothes, used and unused, old and new, are common items in a thrift shop. If your kids are studying in a school that doesn’t require a uniform, you can check out your local thrift stores to update their wardrobes for the next school year.
It is almost 100% guaranteed that you can find different types of clothing appropriate for schooling, such as pants, skirts, shirts, blouses, and jackets. Some thrift stores also have a great selection of shoes. A good tip when shopping in thrift stores is to bring a checklist to avoid forgetting and going through the same items.
A bag is an essential back-to-school item for every student. They use it to carry their books and other materials. When they are involved in physical sports, they have to pack extra clothes for their extracurricular activities and place them inside their bags.
Most thrift stores have a wide selection of bags, from backpacks to gym bags. Sometimes you’ll be surprised because the racks have branded and new items to choose from. When selecting bags for your kids, inspect every pocket for any damage. If there’s any problem, consider if it’s worth the price and if you can repair it easily.
Believe it or not, you can also find school materials in a thrift store. They vary from packs of pencils to sets of coloring and art materials. Many donate their excess and “good as new” items.
Books, especially at college and university levels, are expensive. Before going to the nearest thrift store in your area, you can first checkout online sites, such as havenhousethriftstores.com, and see if you can find books that you can use for your studies. When you go there, don’t forget to create a list, so you will not forget anything. Thrift stores tend to be overwhelming, especially for first-timers.
Equipment for sports like balls, skates, and protective gears tend to be costly when you buy them as brand new. If you want to save some money but still support your kid’s hobby, go to thrift stores and find things for their sports.
Having their own sports equipment at home can help improve their talents. They can practice their skills, and when the school year starts, they easily compete with others to be part of their school’s sporting teams.
School usually starts in September and goes until May of the following year, which means that it covers all three seasons. It is essential that you provide clothing for your kids that are appropriate to the climate and weather.
During the fall season, the temperature starts to go down, and it continues until the wintertime. Jackets or sweaters are the appropriate clothing during this time of the year. However, they can get costly when you buy brand new ones. To cut down on costs, visit thrift stores near you to find winter clothes that are still in good condition. When you buy them, don’t forget to wash them before letting your kids wear them to avoid allergens or skin diseases.
A back-to-school wardrobe wouldn’t be complete without accessories.
Everyday accessories and jewelry are common finds in thrift shops, so when you look for clothes, don’t forget to check these add-ons’ selections. Surely, you can find embellishments appropriate for any age. Most thrift stores carry accessories like belts, handbags, pins, hair clips, and shades.
When going to college and staying in a dorm, check out thrift stores for pre-loved pieces of furniture that can fit your room, like bed frames, chairs, and dressers. These items are mostly in good condition and can last a few more years. When you are lucky to find them, check the measurements to see if they can fit your room. Many college graduates donate or sell their used furniture sets at a lower price to a thrift shop for the next batch to use.
When you have children who are going back to school, visit thrift stores near your home. It is common to find schooling items that are still in good condition and sometimes unused. People donate these things regularly, which guarantees that most of them are good as new, if not unused. Going to a thrift store to shop is a practical way of saving money on temporary things like clothes and school materials.
