I love saving money. I get a real stick-it-to-the-man kind of feeling when I am able get something great without having to pay a premium price.
Like when I make my own yogurt. Or homemade deodorant. (Have you tried it yet?)
That great feeling of satisfaction is well worth the little bit of extra effort.
You know what I discovered the other day? Shopping at second hand stores gives me that same great feeling.

image credit: Best of L.I. 2010

I have a friend who is a master thrifter. She knows all the tips and tricks to getting great deals on really cute clothes and paying next to nothing. I asked her to take me shopping last week and share her wisdom with me.
Here are ten tips I learned from a thrifting pro:

1. You have to look.
To newbies like me, those racks and racks of clothes can look a bit overwhelming. It is so much easier to go to a department store, see something you like and flip through the rack until you find your size, but you’ll pay big bucks for that convenience. Think of it like panning for gold. You have to sift through some silt to find the gold. In other words, you have to sift through some elastic-waisted mom jeans to find a great pair of jeans that makes your butt look amazing.
My friend told me that this season alone she has found two pair of Kut jeans in her size. They retail for $65 – $75 new at Nordstrom. She paid $6 each pair.

2. Inspect clothing for signs of quality.
Sometimes you will find a familiar high-end brand that you know to be well made. If the brand doesn’t tell you anything, look for other signs of quality. Generally, well made clothing will exhibit the following signs: Seams will be straight, tightly sewn and line up. Skirts, slacks and jackets will be lined. Trim, buttons and hooks will be firmly attached, though if the item has had some wear, they may have loosened a little.
While you are checking the buttons and trim, take a look at the zipper. Make sure it has no broken teeth and that it slides up and down easily. Read the labels to see what the item is made of (and care instructions so there are no surprises later).
All of this is not to say that you shouldn’t buy something that is not as well made. Just be sure that the price is right. Ask yourself: Is the item really worth what they are asking? Could I buy it new and on sale for close to the same price?

3. Size doesn’t matter (much).
Size varies greatly from brand to brand. Second hand stores have a lot of brands to choose from. To further confuse the matter, most items have been washed. If it was likely to shrink in the wash, it probably already has. When you are searching through the racks and you find something you like, don’t put it back if it is labeled the wrong size. It might surprise you.
Furthermore, don’t be afraid to look at things that you are sure aren’t the right size. You may be able to find a great oversized sweater if you look in a larger size bracket, or even the mens department. Layer it over a pair of leggings, pull on some boots, and you’ve got a great look for fall.

4. Try everything on.
Your mom was right: you never know until you try. What looks great on the rack may look not-so-great on you. Don’t think, “Well, it’s only $2. If I don’t like it, I’m not out much.” You’ll be out $2! And you’ll have another thing taking up space in your closet that you’ll never wear.
Only buy things that fit right and flatter your shape. Take a friend if you aren’t sure of yourself.
If you try something on and it’s almost right, it’s still wrong. Don’t buy it.
It doesn’t matter how amazing of a deal something is if you don’t look and feel great in it. And don’t fall into the it-will-fit-once-I-lose-five-more-pounds trap. Shop for the body you have now. If you do happen to lose (or gain) a few pounds, you’ll find great finds for that body too.

5. Don’t leave the store with only half an outfit.
Okay, you just found a really nice skirt. It’s well made, fits well, you look great in it and it’s a steal. Awesome, just don’t take it to the register quite yet.
Ask yourself: what will I wear with it? If you don’t have anything at home, hit the racks again. Find something to complete your outfit. If not, that great piece is in danger of languishing in the back if your closet, forgotten. That is, until you get around to clearing out the clutter and you send that awesome find back where it came from.

6. Know your limits.
Missing buttons, too long hems, broken zippers? No problem if you know how to sew. Just be sure to consider if the garment will be worth the effort. And if you will make the time to actually do it. No matter how much you like something, it’s not a good purchase if it sits in a pile of mending forever.
Pretty sure you won’t get around to it? Or you don’t know how to sew?
Would the savings be worth the cost of taking it to a tailor? Do your homework first to get an idea of how much those basic services will cost.
Budget is another limit to keep in mind. A whole lot of bargain items will blow your budget just as badly as one pair of new designer jeans. Don’t let the thrill of the find get you into financial trouble. One great way to ensure that you only spend what you can afford is to take just the amount you plan to spend, in cash, and leave your credit cards at home.
Speaking of budget, be aware that those cute little Vintage Boutiques are going to be a lot more expensive than your local Goodwill.
Lastly, don’t go overboard. It can be tempting to buy more than you need. Be careful not to turn a great deal into a great deal of clutter.

7. Buy in the off season.
People have a tendency to clean out their closets at the end of a season, but who wants to spend money on shorts in October?
You do, if you’re smart.
First off, you won’t be competing with as many other deal seekers. It’s also likely that the store will have marked down the price on those out-of-season items.
Pretend you’re a Boy Scout and Be Prepared: If you know you’re going to need it later in the year, go ahead and pick it up now.

8. Learn if your local stores have any special promotions.
I learned that Goodwill has a daily special, for example: 50% off all red tagged items. Fifty percent off is huge! That will take a $7 pair of jeans down to less than the price of a small smoothie from Jamba Juice! The special changes by day, so watch for signs posted in the store.
Another store in my area offers a 20% discount off any regular priced items when you bring in donations. My thrifting -guru keeps a small bag of items to donate in her car. That way, if she happens to be in the area and has some time to spare, she’ll drop it off and pop in to see if something catches her eye.
Get to know your stores, and don’t be shy about calling ahead to ask about sales.

9. Go early and go often.
The savvy shoppers know about red tag day, or whatever the promotion may be. They get there early, before everything is picked through. Be savvy.
If there is something in particular you are looking for, drop in often since inventory changes by the day. It really doesn’t have to take much time. If you are looking for a new-to-you pair of shoes, just look at shoes. You’ll be in and out in no time.

10. Know your area.
Stores closer to more affluent neighborhoods generally carry higher quality merchandise. Vacation destinations may have more outdoor equipment or what have you. Think about the demographics of the area and what is on your wish-list when you are deciding where to go. A little forethought and planning can really pay off.

I had no idea thrifting could be so much fun. I definitely got the thrill of the hunt. But using these tips helped me to find great deals without going overboard. Each item I brought home is something I will feel great wearing.
Want to see? I’ve got a little fashion show planned for tomorrow…
Edited to add: My thrift store fashion show is up now. Click over to see all of my great finds.

Do you thrift shop? Share your tips in the comments.