8 Thrift Tips For Beginners: Secondhand Shopping Made Easy

Okay bestie, we’ve talked before about those thrift hauls so expertly curated they’d make Martha jealous. And you might be wondering, “Like how? How do they actually do it? Because every time I go into a thrift store, I can’t find anything.”

I mean, I get it—and there’s definitely some strategy behind those carts full of fabulous junk. But I can promise you, it’s not the work of rocket scientists or anything (she says lovingly).

So before you throw your hands up and give up on thrifting altogether—I strongly encourage you to peruse the 8 tips below.

They might not be earth-shattering secrets, but they’ll definitely have you scoring some jealousy-inducing thrift hauls of your own.

1. Thrifting Is a Vibe

Thrifting is a vibe—kind of like my apartment. A little mahogany, a touch of marble, and a gallery wall that says, ‘Yeah, I definitely did that.’

Okay, I’m not on Tik Tok because it’s too unhinged for me, but at the risk of sounding a bit ThrfitTok-ish, I’m just gonna say it—thrifting is a vibe (or in my case, it’s practically an entire personality). And sometimes, you need to rise to the occasion and play the part.

I mean sure, thrifting is about shopping, obviously. But it’s also an experience. It’s rocking your lucky leather jacket and sipping a latte as you peruse the aisles of Goodwill.

It’s where practicality meets creativity—whether you’re sourcing functional furniture, curating an eclectic wardrop, or simply reveling in the thrill of the hunt.

For some, it’s about finding rare and one-of-a-kind pieces that no department store can ever really replicate. For others, it’s a deeper journey—one of self-expression, reinvention, and uncovering personal style in ways mainstream retail and viral trends just can’t offer.

But unfortunately, unless you’re throwing a bunch of crap in your cart all willy-nilly—you’re probably walking away empty-handed more times than not.

And I get it. In today's world, who can stomach that kind of disappointment?

But if thrifting is an adventure—a hobby, even—that makes it less about what you find and more about the experience you’ve had and the memories you’ve made.

So while practicality is great, what’s even better is throwing on a dope outfit (to embrace your main character energy), grabbing your bestie, and perusing the aisles creating core memories. Because even if the stores don’t hit, you know time with your bestie will.

And the more you embrace the adventure, the better your chances of turning big thrift dreams into even bigger thrift scores.

2. Create a Thrift Wishlist

Big thrift dreams, bigger results. This gallery wall and mahogany setup didn’t just happen—I had a vision, a dream, and a cart full of secondhand magic to make it real.

You know how I just mentioned, “throwing a bunch of crap in your cart all willy-nilly”? Well, unless you put some time into creating a thrift wishlist, that’s probably what you’re about to do.

I mean, if I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times—thrifting without knowing what you’re actually looking for is like trying to find Waldo without knowing what the guy looks like. Impossible.

So before you and your bestie drive off into the sunset seeking out those thrift adventures, figure out what you want. (Which, come to think of it, is actually a pretty good rule of thumb—in life, in love, and even in thrifting.)

Because here’s the thing—thrifting isn’t like strolling into Target. There’s no checking online inventory before you go, and there aren’t any neatly organized shelves waiting when you get there.

The thrift market is an unpredictable mess of secondhand castoffs beaming with potential. But it’s your wishlist that’ll remind you to see the potential when all your eyes can see is junk.

So take some time to dream up your ideal thrift finds—and really think about it…

Are you a mid-century modern girly hunting for vintage Merry Mushroom canisters and velvet paintings? A Regency-era enthusiast searching for delicate floral tea sets and candlesticks? Or maybe you’re a fashionista on the hunt for ‘70s denim and ‘80s rock band tees?

Regardless, you have to know what you want.

And if you’re not sure how to get your thrift wishlist started, don’t worry—you know I’ve got you covered: here.

3. Embrace Thrift Etiquette

Thrift tip: A caffeine fix never hurt anyone before a big hunt. My little apartment is proof that good manners (and good coffee) lead to some realyy epic finds!

Oh yeah, you know what I said about throwing on a dope outfit to embrace your main character energy? Well, that doesn’t negate the need to practice good thrift etiquette.

So, let’s talk about it.

Listen bestie, I’m your hype girl, and I want nothing more than for you to live out every thrift adventure in all your main character glory. I mean, it’s your world, babe—we’re just livin in it.

But… but, hear me out. Being the main character doesn’t mean being an a-hole. Besides, I’m pretty sure that’s a distinguishing characteristic of the villain in the story, so—don’t be the villain in someone else’s story.

Employees shouldn’t be running around like Cinderella picking up clothes off the dressing room floor or throwing away Starbucks cups left on the shelf. Seriously, don’t let your behaviour be reminiscent of the evil stepsisters.

And I know, I know—you would never. But some people would, so it has to be said.

So get in the habit of practicing a little thrift etiquette as you skip about on your little shopping adventures. You know common sense stuff, really: putting things back where they belong, and treating those around you with respect (yes, that includes both employees and fellow shoppers).

The thrifting community (and the world) will be better for it—trust me.

And remember, thrifting should never be about scoring deals at the expense of others or your integrity.

It’s always a good rule of thumb to leave people and places better than you found them—just food for thought.

4. Location Matters

Location, location, location—it's not just for real estate! Some of my best thrifted treasures (like this beauty) were scored when I found the right spots.

Speaking of places—finding the best thrift spot is seriously half the battle.

In the interest of transparency, you should know: location is one of the harder things for me to teach. Because while I can give you a breakdown of the types of secondhand shopping opportunities available to you, I can’t exactly vet and map out specific locations for everyone—boy, do I wish I could though.

Anyway, I’m sorry bestie, but on this one, you’re going to have to do the leg work. Just know that not all locations are created equal.

Some stores are packed with museum-worthy treasures, while others showcase shelves so bare they look like something out of an apocalyptic film.

So do a little Google recon and really take your time exploring the local thrift scene. Checking what other shoppers are saying can give you a pretty good idea of what to expect. Plus, photos can be a goldmine for scoping out general inventory quality.

Locations might be your secret weapon, but savvy timing is the difference maker.

5. Timing Is Everything

Timing is everything! Some of my favorite mirrors (and thrifting treasures) were found just after opening or right before closing—because a little timing magic never hurt when you're hunting for gems!

They say “timing is everything,” and whoever they are was right—because thrifting is no exception.

But who ever said “better late than never” clearly wasn’t a thrifting aficionado. Because showing up late might lead to never thrifting anything good… since everyone else already bought it.

I mean sure, thrifting might feel like the luck of the draw, but timing can definitely help stack the odds in your favor.

So, when is the best time to thrift?

Well, thrift stores are constantly cycling through inventory. So the trick is figuring out how to avoid peak traffic while still catching the window when new items are hitting the shelves.

Early weekday mornings, restock days, and even post-weekend donation drops can be the jackpot moments you’re looking for. But if you need a bit more guidance on how to better time your thrift trips, then I’ve got you covered: here.

And trust me, sometimes good timing isn’t what you’d expect. For me, a well-timed thrift trip to my favorite Goodwill means planning around employee schedules.

I’ve noticed that a couple of days each week, whoever is working prices items way lower than everyone else working the rest of the week. I don’t know who they are or why they do it, but I definitely noticed the pattern—and adjusted my thrift schedule accordingly.

Once you’ve nailed the timing, it’s time to hone your attention to detail—because to the untrained eye, most everything is junk.

6. Learn To See Potential

Who says junk can't be fabulous? With just a little TLC, this dusty, forgotten frame got a fresh coat of paint and turned into a showstopper. Proof that thrifted treasures just need a little love to shine!

Okay bestie, spotting potential amongst the chaos of thrift store shelves is truly a skill that’s honed over time—and with much, much practice.

I’m painfully aware of the first impression most stores make on new thrifters. I always say that at first glance, thrift stores just seem full of junk your grandparents couldn’t con anyone into taking. But don’t let first impressions fool you—there is so much incredible hidden potential.

I mean, don’t get me wrong—there’s plenty of what I’d personally consider trash. But you know what they say: one man’s trash…

The value of what you find just depends on how creative you’re willing to be.

It’s in the unexpected uses you find for overlooked items, the creative ways you repurpose pieces with a little DIY magic, and even the practicality you bring to the most impractical things.

Once you start thrifting through the lens of possibility, you realize some of the best treasures are just waiting to be reimagined. And the more you thrift, the better you get a spotting the pieces—and doing the reimagining.

Sure, not every find is a winner or worth the patience. But you might be surprised what kinds of things can go from overlooked to outstanding.

Just be careful not to bury yourself under a thrifter’s death pile of regrets—aka unfinished projects. And if you need some help reigning in those enthusiastic project purchases, I’ve outlined some helpful tips (coming soon) to consider before you buy.

That said, spotting potential is truly a game-changer—but even the most trained eye won’t help if you’re not showing up.

7. Thrift Regularly

Turns out, the key to curating a dreamy space isn’t just good taste—it’s showing up! A little hustle at thrift stores and auctions, and voilà—this gallery wall was born. It’s proof that great finds don’t just happen—they’re made when you make time for them.

So I’m pretty sure it’s like a universal truth that consistency is the key to mastering anything—and thrifting is no exception.

And as much as we like to talk about thrift luck and being blessed, it all actually comes down to a numbers game. The more you show up, the better your odds of thrifting items from you thrift wishlist.

Thrift stores are a revolving door of inventory, but not in the way traditional retailers operate. It isn’t like running to T.J.Maxx to grab that viral Hello Kitty mug that’s flooding your social media feed. There’s no specific restock schedule and no backup supply sitting in the stockroom.

Thrifting is a first-come, first-served game. Even if you’re not showing up regularly, someone else is. And they’re snagging the best finds long before you decide to wander in for your bimonthly visit.

So if you’re complaining about never finding anything, take a hard look at how much time you’ve actually been investing.

I mean, seriously bestie, thrifting is about consistency.

You’ve gotta show up.

And I get it—you’ve left empty-handed a few times, and you’re just over it. But that’s the name of the game. If you’re looking for guarantees and minimal time commitment, then i recommend turning to the reseller platforms. Just be prepared to pay a lot more.

Otherwise, keep showing up as often as your schedule will allow—and trust the process.

8. Learn The Lingo

And last but not least—knowing the lingo certainly can’t hurt.

Okay, to be totally transparent—if you’re just getting started and your secondhand shopping is limited to the occasional trip to your favorite neighborhood thrift store, then you probably won’t be deciphering much lingo. Which is obviously a good thing for beginners.

However, if and when you decide to dive into the more complex forms of shopping, understanding the lingo becomes increasingly important.

Learning the various terms will not only help you shop smarter, but it’s also essential for making informed purchasing decisions. This is especially important when dealing with contractually binding shopping methods, such as online auctions.

You know what they say: “You don’t know what you don’t know.”

Meaning, you won’t necessarily realize most of these terms and acronyms even exist—until you stumble across one.

But don’t worry—I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t already have a comprehensive thrift glossary ready for you. It’s packed with all the essential terms so that you can shop secondhand with confidence and insider know-how.

And just like that, we’ll be swapping thrift lingo in no time.

Ready to Master Your Thrift Game?

With a little paint and a fresh touch, I turned this thrifted frame into a work of art—just like you can turn your thrifting journey into your own little slice of heaven on earth. Time to start creating your masterpiece!

Alright bestie, you’ve officially unlocked my top eight game-changing tips to kickstart your thrift hunt like a pro.

And while these tips are a high-level overview, I’ve provided links for more comprehensive information in each relevant section. So I definitely encourage you to check those out if you want the more in depth nitty gritty dets.

As always, I hope this information proves useful as you embark on your thrift adventures, and definitely check out my Thrifting for Beginners series for more insider tips and tricks.