Saturday, June 26, 2010

circle of life

The world of second-hand bargain shopping has it's own ecosystem - an ebb and flow, a tidal pattern of scarce and plenty.

Take today, for example. We spent the morning looking for a used changing table, filing cabinet, picture frames, and baskets. Previously, we had bid on a changing table from craigslist for $15, $10 less than the asking price. The sellers weren't interested. The first thrift store we went to this morning, we saw about the same table. It was $19. We asked for $15 and got it.

Score!

Then we went to a second thrift store and found out that all their furniture was 75% off. Of course, we found a similar changing table there for $18. With 75% off that comes out to about $4.50.

Hm...

But it's all just part of a balanced system. A few months ago I bought several maternity clothes from a thrift store and they decided to give me a 5 for $5 deal that the clothes didn't qualify for, just because the check out line was long and it was the cashier's last day. I saved about $20.

Today's circle was completed when we went to pick up a free baby swing from a friend. She threw into the deal 4-foot tall giraffe and zebra stuffed animals.

Ghengis, you are one lucky kid.

4 comments:

Dawn said...

Life lesson: It all works out in the end. :)

Elizabeth Downie said...

Oh my gosh, those things are awesome! I can't wait to see pictures of the finished nursery!

Heidi said...

I love that you said Ghengis. That has got to be my favorite boy name :).

Delia said...

Nice deals!