August 10th is National Garage Sale Day and August 17th is National Thrift Shop Day. Besides being fun, “thrifting” helps reduce waste that normally would end up in our landfills, so I’m all for it. And I’m not alone. According to the 2024 ThredUp Resale Report, the used apparel market worldwide is growing three times faster than the overall global clothing market. Thrifting is a way to create a style unique to you and a way to hunt for treasures. 

Imagine digging through a pile of what you think is costume jewelry and finding a valuable gem, or sifting through a stack of old paintings and finding an original Georgia O’Keefe. Supporting thrift shops is also a way to give back. I found a pair of comfy Eastland slip-ons, already broken in, which I love and my purchase helped support people in need.

If you’ve ever had a garage sale, you know they’re a lot of work. But it’s thrilling to be able to match up an item with someone who will appreciate it. I reluctantly set out the playhouse my daughters and granddaughters had used, debating whether I could part with it. Memories of their tea parties, how they decorated the inside with their artwork, and their cute faces peering out through the cut-out windows haunted me. My reluctance quickly left, however, when a little girl stopped by. She ducked inside. Seconds later, her smiling face peered out the window. I was elated. The playhouse had found its new home.

I was thrilled again when I stopped at a garage sale last week and found items for an upcoming author presentation. My book about miniature creatures living in the forest will be published soon, and I found four houses that my Snip and Bittersweet characters could have built. I excitedly handed $4 to the man who made them “just to pass the day away.” I pick them up, admiring the details. I’m sure the children will be equally delighted.

I was happy to learn of a website called Freecycle, https://www.freecycle.org/, whose mission is to reduce waste, save precious resources, and ease the burden on our landfills. Here are some recent examples of free items.

• office chair
• desk
• sedum plants
• deer apples
• elliptical exercise machine with a comment that it’s “very lightly used” and “ready to tire you out.” 

Here is a request.

• fishing supplies (This includes a comment that fishing is one of his or her only coping skills and makes me wish I had some to give away.)

Many people take advantage of online thrift shops such as Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and E-bay. One of my friends who has a fun and distinctive style loves to shop for unique clothing on Poshmark.com. 

Do you want to save money on building or are you redecorating? Check out a place such as Portage’s Habitat for Humanity Restore. It sells new and gently used furniture, home accessories, building materials, and appliances at a reduced price. Proceeds are used to build strength, stability, and self-reliance locally and around the world.

It makes sense to spare our landfills and try to reuse items. If you’re in the mood for thrifting, grab your wallet and car keys or head to your computer. There are many treasures out there. Happy hunting.