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There is nothing like a good thrift shop, where you can paw through the stuff and find a towel rack for 50 cents or a vase for a dollar. These are bargains you can be proud of.

My favorite green sweatshirt is getting a bit threadbare now, but I bought it for less than a dollar way back before Clinton or Bush were elected president. This is not one with a designer label or even a fancy brand name you'd recognize, but it has served its purpose well. It has long outlasted sweatshirts costing 30 times as much when purchased new.

This just goes to show you the value of a great bargain!

Magazines are another top find at secondhand shops, especially if you don't mind them being a year or two old. I like to buy a stack of a few dozen, assorted titles. Some I've never read before and others are old favorites. After I read, I share with others.

I know stuffed animal collectors who pick up great finds for a song at their local thrift stores. Same with record album collectors. Some of these shops are run by private individuals, others by church groups or other charities. Each one is packed with surprises for the savvy shopper.

Probably the best sellers are children's clothing items. You can probably find jeans for a dollar or a blouse for half that. Often the items are like new, maybe received as a gift and never worn. You might have to hunt a bit for proper sizes, but that's half the fun.

Next time you're on vacation, stop by a secondhand store and see what's on offer. You can probably find enough paperbacks to get you through this vacation and the next.

Chances are you have several thrift stores in your area. If you've never been to one, give it a try some Saturday morning. Think of it as a yard sale, but without the rain!

Copyright © 2001 by Roberta Beach Jacobson