10 Ways I Rationalize Unnecessary Purchases at Thrift Stores

I am a huge thrift store lover. One of my favourite activities is walking downtown, getting myself a yummy coffee and haunting the local thrifts. Thrifting is a great way to get quality items on a tight budget and, if you don’t know what your style is, it’s a great way to experiment and be creative (personally, my style is constantly evolving). However, any form of shopping, if done mindlessly and without some restrictions, is a form of overconsumption, encouraging capitalism and is not going to make you feel good in the long run.

Full disclosure, I still purchase things I don’t need! I tried a ‘no-buy challenge’, however that seemed to make my issue worse, because after it was finished, I went shopping to congratulate myself and I did much more damage on my pocketbook than I had previously. So, now I’ve given myself a monthly budget. It’s ok to give yourself a monthly fun-money allowance that correlates with your current financial situation. Or at least, that’s what works for me. I now see thrifting as a hobby and if my hobby brings me hours of fun and only costs me 30 dollars a month, then I can be content with that.

We live in a society that encourages us to constantly want more and at times, I have felt like my shopping habit was in control of me and I ended up spending money I wish I hadn’t. I know I am not alone in this, so I wanted to share my 10 red-flag-rationalization list.

Like any addict, I am good at rationalizing what I do and encouraging my impulses (honestly, I think we all have our areas where we do this), so I thought I’d share some of those rationalisations. Now that I recognize them for what they are, it’s hard to ignore them and to keep buying things I don’t need.


     1. This thrifted item is less expensive and almost like that more expensive new item I want.

The key here is ‘almost’, meaning it isn’t quite right, so it will sit in my closet unused. I have waisted a lot of money on pieces that reminded me of more expensive, new items I have wanted. If I had just bought the original expensive item I really loved, then I wouldn’t have waisted money on the ‘almost’ items.

2. This item is so cheap and good quality!

The thing I’m not saying to myself here is, ‘BUT I don’t need or have any use for it’.

3. This item is trending right now.

Following trends is a slippery slope. It’s not worth it unless you can truly imagine yourself wearing this item after it has stopped trending. Does it already match your style and what you love? If not, let it go.

4. This item is vintage and cheap!

With the rising popularity of vintage stores, thrifting vintage pieces is no longer cheap. Thrift stores have upped their prices, however sometimes they miss a goody. This is still no reason to buy it if you don’t have a use for it.

5. Maybe I’ll sell this online.

I’ve fallen deep into this one. Yes, I’ve managed to make some money but, with my four-month-old in tow, is this really the right time to take up yet another hobby? I started this article candidly; my shopping is an area I’m still working on.

6. This isn’t quite right, but I can fix it!

I do not know how to sew other than the odd mending, also I already have a pile of things that need fixing.

7.  I love the fabric, the colour, the texture…

But do I need more projects?! The answer for me right now is no. Until I commit to learning to sew, I do not need to add anymore scraps to my craft pile.

8.  This won’t take up any space.

Yes, scarves are small…but when you own 40 of them, yeah, they end up taking up space.

9. This item is brand new!

But, again, if you don’t have any use for it, what are you doing…

10. You can never have too many…

Yes. You can.

 

Posting this list is as much for me as it is for you. If you relate to these rationalisations and you have some more to add, I would love to hear them in the comments. Tell me about your own ridiculous collections.

Thanks for reading, lovely humans.

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