You can’t imagine the awesome stuff you’ll find

I remember kicking off this column last June by telling how I became “thrifty” during my college years down near Broadway in San Antonio, where thrift stores were “a dime a dozen.” I remember the really cool eclectic items I would find or dream of buying since I was on a “college budget” back then.

Fast forward to 1992 — That’s the year I went to Florida for a six-month period. I was fresh out of college and ready to set the world on fire with a radio or TV job. I went to some amazing interviews and knocked their socks off but I couldn’t commit to a long-term contract, since I would only be in the area for six months. So I bought a bike and toured Florida on two wheels. I knew I needed some sort of job and Goodwill was right next door to my little apartment, so it was a great fit.

I was temporarily residing in a wealthy elderly suburb of Florida and the area attracted thousands of snowbirds every year. These “birds” would visit for three or four months and buy the most expensive furniture and clothing; then, when they had to go home, they’d have to donate everything they had bought because they didn’t have room in their RVs to travel back with it. Voila! You can’t even imagine the awesome stuff we would accumulate at Goodwill when all the “birds flew the Florida coop”! The patio furniture still smelled new and most of the clothing and shoes still had tags or were still in boxes.

With that said, I can relate to this today as well. There are certain stores or areas that tend to get “the good stuff.” We all have our favorite regular thrift stop, just like we all have our favorite grocery store or coffee stop.

This past month I have been able to venture to new places outside my normal realm and it’s been amazing. I hit all my usual stops in Seguin, the San Marcos Goodwill, Top Hat Thriftique and Finders Keepers in Floresville, Twice Blest in La Vernia (every Saturday morning) and I even made it to Karnes City to visit Hons Antiques and Thrift Store — which, to my dismay, is closed on Saturdays. However, there was an awesome shop right next door called Love Thy Neighbor and they had some cool items and were quite busy on the Saturday I visited. After inquiring and further research, I discovered their proceeds go back into community projects and their big project is helping to fund a program for low-cost spay/neuter to reduce the overpopulation at Karnes County Humane Organization.

I think I have used up all my allotted space, so happy thrifting until next month! Take advantage of all the good stuff folks are donating due to “spring cleaning”!

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Get thrifty

Get thrifty and hunt down some frugal fashions yourself!
Here are the thrifting and resale locations mentioned here:
•Twice Blest Thrift Ministry — 132 Bluebonnet Road (F.M. 775), La Vernia, 830-779-2621; this ministry of the La Vernia United Methodist Church offers clothing for all ages, shoes, household and craft items, jewelry, and more. Proceeds benefit church ministries; hours are Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
•Goodwill, 1431 E. Court St. in Seguin and multiple locations in San Antonio, as well as online at goodwill.com; stores offer household goods, clothing, and more to help train people for careers and provide support services to help them succeed.
•Top Hat Thriftique — 540 10th St. (U.S. 181), Suite 140, in Floresville; 830-251-3288.
•Love Thy Neighbor — 201 E. Calvert St., Karnes City; proceeds benefit community projects, including the Karnes County Humane Organization.
•Hons Antiques and Women’s Clothing — 205 E. Calvert St., Karnes City, 830-583-6726; antiques, women’s clothing, more. You can find them on Facebook, too.