Your experience will depend a lot on when you go to thrift shops. In my experience stores are busiest during the holidays. This can be especially true during holidays like Halloween, where prices skyrocket for those “non-thrift store shoppers” who rush in looking for a cheap used costume. Times like these are great for the stores, but not so hot for everyday thrift store shoppers. Though a busy holiday season does clean out a lot of the old stock that has been sitting there for a year, which makes room for more items.

Prices tend to go up in the winter for cold weather clothing and other related items. Sometimes used stores will stockpile winter goods during the year (if they have the space) and put it all out in the fall or when the weather starts to get cold. You will notice that most used stores and consignment shops change with the seasons having Christmas stuff in December etc.

New (used) items to thrift stores generally arrive daily and are priced throughout the day in the back room and then finally brought out into the store (where we can hopefully find something great). In my experience the bulk of the newly arrived thrift store items are put out in the morning as this is usually the slowest time for thrift stores and their employees, with the afternoons being busier for staff members (helping customers, cashiering, etc.).

Another thing to look for at thrift shops are the discount days and discount colored tags. Most thrift stores have certain days that offer some percentage off all or selected items. Most thrift stores also have senior, military, and even student discounts. Many thrift stores also have certain colored tags that are discounted daily, these discounts are usually posted around the store on signs or even announced over the PA system in the store.

Used Store Shopping Tips

1. Go there often. The great thing about thrift stores is that there is usually new stuff always coming in via donations. Shop later in the week for the best selection, weekends are crowded and busy leaving shops depleted of stock on Mondays and Tuesdays.

2. Find out when the discount days are. Most used stores have at least one day per month where everything is 50% off in the entire store.

3. Try to buy winter clothing or items in the summer and vice versa. Waiting for the weather to turn cold to buy a jacket will cost you more.

4. Avoid holiday times if you can. The prices will go up and so will your stress.

5. Try on or try out the item you want to buy. If it is a sweater or a CD player, make sure it fits and works before you buy.

6. Have fun. The best part of used and recycle store shopping is that you will never know what you will find. Good Luck!

Author: Hogan Quick
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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In order to save big you will need to be able to find coupons for the things you buy most. Fortunately, most companies have many coupons available for their food and other items most of the time. The trick is to find the coupons for the things you need when you need them. You can find coupons many places both online and from local sources such as the newspaper and circulars form local stores.

You can get coupons for stores in your area from your local Sunday newspaper as well as manufacturer coupons for many different brands. You can also find coupons in local mailings and newsletters. If you join the mailing list of your favorite companies they will usually send you coupons as well. You can also find many different coupons online that you can use for many different products at the grocery store.

Some coupons can only be used at certain stores. They are usually found in store circulars and can get you good savings but are designed to draw you in to the store so that you will buy things that are not discounted. Manufacturer coupons are good at any store for the product specified. Some times local stores will accept competitor’s coupons, so if they have a better price on an item ask if they will accept coupons from another store.

After you have found coupons for the item you need there are still ways to save even more. Sometimes you can double or even triple coupons depending on store policy. Find out which stores allow you to do this and be sure to get more than one coupon. Sometimes they only allow coupon doubling on certain days, however. For even greater savings hold on to coupons and use them when the item goes on sale. By using coupons on sale items you can get products for pennies on the dollar or sometimes even for free. By finding coupons for the things you use and following these tips you can save big on your grocery bill.

Author: Hsufeng Ko
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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