Thrift store shopping at thrift stores in Panama City Beach, FL can be a great way to find stylish clothes or items for your home at affordable prices. As an added bonus, the money raised in a thrift store often goes to support charitable causes, at least in part. Buying second hand also helps the environment, which is important to many people.
Thrift store shopping is great, but sometimes you need to plan ahead a little to get the most out of your visit. We’ve gathered a few tips to help maximize your savings while thrift store shopping
Thrift Store Shopping Tips
First, try to decide in advance what you are looking for and only deviate from your plan if there is a valid reason. Thrift shops have clothes in a variety of fashions, sizes, and conditions. If you are looking for a like new brown sweater in your size, don’t settle for a faded black sweater that is a size too big. Because clothes in a thrift store can be so reasonably priced, it can be tempting to settle for a “good enough” piece of clothing. Try to resist that urge. If an item of clothing doesn’t actually meet your needs then you’ll be unlikely to wear it. Regardless of how cheap something is, it’s still a waste of money if you won’t use it.
Maximize your savings by researching if your thrift store offers “half price days” or special events where they cut prices. A local thrift store near my home has everything half off on Mondays, which helps your money go even further!
To avoid spending on items you can’t actually use, get realistic about your DIY skills. You may find something that would be perfect with just minor alterations. If you are truly able to make the needed alterations or pay someone else to do them then, by all means, buy the item. If the truth is more likely that the item is just going to get lost in the back of your closet while you put off fixing it, then don’t waste your money. For many people, realistic alterations may include changing buttons, hemming pants, and fixing small holes in some types of fabric. Do your research so you don’t accidentally buy textiles that will be difficult to mend. Be honest about what you can and will do. If you don’t know how to sew, but would like to learn, you can find a variety of free tutorials online.
Don’t get frustrated if you can’t find what you are looking for right away. New items are put out frequently, so it may take a few trips to different thrift stores before you find what you’re looking for. Try to enjoy the hunt and learn to think of thrift shopping as a project. Unless it is an emergency, for example needing a winter jacket immediately, just be patient and keep looking until you find the exact item you want.
Keep an eye out for quality pieces of furniture that need just a bit of TLC to be beautiful. A coat of paint, some elbow grease or a little bit of sanding and stain can restore furniture from eye sore status to show stopper. Again, be realistic about your ability and time to spend on a DIY project, but don’t be afraid to put your skills to work on the right piece either!
Buying clothes or furniture from thrift stores can be a fun, affordable, and environmentally friendly way to improve your wardrobe or home. By planning ahead, making minor alterations to items that need it, and being patient while searching for the perfect item, you can have a stylish wardrobe or home for a fraction of the cost of buying new.
Rows and rows of color and pattern hide a funky Hawaiian button-down, a bizarre T-shirt that reads, “Woody’s back! And his name is Jim!” and a red, velvety sweater on sale for a quarter of its original price. These eccentric and exciting items could only be found together in one kind of store: a thrift store in Panama City Beach, FL
Rather than bundling up in the latest generic looks produced by harmful fast fashion franchises, those in need of warm fall clothing should explore the exciting and environmentally-friendly world of second-hand shopping.
When thrifting, I’m not pressured to keep up with all the latest trends but free to experiment and make my style my own. Digging through the racks of a thrift store can feel like a treasure hunt. Each item has its own story and represents the unique personality of its previous owner, lending to an incredible variety of styles not found among the generic racks of first-hand stores. On my last expedition, I fell in love with a V-neck sweater with funky patterns and sleeves that hang past my fingertips, a unique piece that I would be hard-pressed to find in a first-hand store.
Second-hand shopping is the ethical method to cheaply update your closet this autumn. According to an article by Vanessa Friedman, New York Times fashion director, the apparel and footwear industries are responsible for over 8% of annual greenhouse gas emissions. By buying that quirky button-down from your local thrift store, you’re not only saving it from wasting away in a landfill but adding to your wardrobe without the environmental cost of producing a new shirt.
With COVID-19 still a very real concern, bringing a stranger’s discarded clothes home may seem like an unnecessary risk. Both second-hand and conventional stores are currently obligated to follow the same reopening guidelines.
While the low prices may be tempting, try to avoid charity shops in low-income neighborhoods as your business may raise prices for those who rely on thrift stores for their clothing.
There’s nothing like the rush of pride in responding to a compliment with, “Thanks! I thrifted it!” knowing that I found my outfit, recycled it and made it my own. It’s rewarding, sustainable, stylish and fun.
Thrift shopping at second-hand stores, consignment shops, rummage sales and online used-good directories is not just for environmentalists and hipsters, but a viable solution for anyone looking to go eco-friendly in small ways. Do visit the thrift shops in Panama City Beach, FL for a good experience.
Before going into the green benefits, here’s how thrifting helps you:
Saving Money – Thrifted clothing is far more affordable than new clothes of comparable quality.
Smarter Buys – You tend to spend more time looking over each item instead of buying it outright.
Unique Finds – It’s highly unlikely that anyone else is walking around in the same clothes as you.
Creative Potential – You might be inspired to try new combinations, or even some DIY reconstruction!
If that wasn’t enough, here are 7 ways in which thrifting helps the environment:
1. It Lowers Your Carbon Footprint – A lot of energy goes into clothing manufacture, right from the transportation of raw materials to production processes. Then, there’s the energy required to get finished clothing to stores, and dispose of unwanted items. When you buy secondhand, you’re preventing wastage of energy and resources on the production of new clothes.
2. It Aids in Water Preservation – In addition to energy, water consumption is extremely high at every stage of clothing production. For instance, growing one kilogram of cotton requires 5,300 gallons of water, while wet processing and printing use 18 and 21.6 gallons respectively, per pound of cotton. Manufacturing, packaging and transportation processes add to this cost as well.
3. It Reduces Chemical Pollution – The production of cotton is highly pesticide-intensive, causing soil acidification and water contamination. Textile manufacturing processes also involve the use of harmful dyes, caustic soda and crude oil by-products. These chemicals are generally dumped into areas around manufacturing units, contaminating surface and ground water through soil runoff.
4. It Decreases Landfill Waste – Americans throw out anywhere from 60 to over 80 pounds of textile waste annually, and only about 10% of this makes it to thrift stores. If more people start shopping for secondhand clothes, less fabric ends up being dumped in landfills. That’s not all. Packaging material is also reduced, keeping plastic, paper and metal out of the waste stream.
5. It Inspires Green Living – Thrifting is an essential part of green living, in more than one way. When you buy used items, you keep them from being sent to a landfill and reduce manufacturing demand as well. Also, by donating unwanted clothes to consignment shops or thrift stores, you may be encouraging others simply by giving them something they can use.
6. It Boosts Community Development – While shopping secondhand, your money is used to help local charities and businesses instead of multinational corporations. Thrift stores provide employment in retail outlets as well as donation centers, creating more jobs and boosting the local economy. Many hire disabled workers and donate proceeds to community programming projects as well.
7. It Encourages Recycling – Did you know that recycled cotton clothing uses less than 3% of the energy that would have gone into producing new clothes? When you reuse or recycle clothes, you’re decreasing the demand for production and encouraging sustainable practices. It may not seem like much, but every item that doesn’t end up in a landfill counts as a win!
Do you thrift? If so, you’re not alone—according to the Association of Retail Professionals, about 16 to 18 percent of Americans shop at thrift stores in any given year. But how did the thrift store come to be, anyway?
Jennifer Le Zotte has the answer: At the turn of the 20th century, Christian organizations pinned their coattails both to the Progressive-Era spirit of reform and new developments in consumer culture. By linking charity and capitalism, organizations like Goodwill and the Salvation Army invented not just an entire business sector, but an ongoing financial lifeline.
Secondhand sales have always existed; indeed, secondhand shops thrived long before thethrift shop in Panama City Beach, FL was invented. But immigration and industrialization created a critical moment both of financial need and secondhand goods. Add the popularity of the rummage sale—bazaars that sold society women’s cast-offs to raise money for churches and other charitable causes—and you had a moment ripe for reformers.
In the 1890s, you could buy used goods from rag dealers—often Jewish immigrants. But anti-immigrant, anti-Semitic prejudice set in, and the public painted their profession as filthy and predatory. In 1897, the Salvation Army stepped in with a “salvage brigade” that offered poor men food and shelter in exchange for collecting scrap paper and other castoffs. Settlement houses and churches followed suit.To overcome prejudice against used items, thrift stores emulated department stores’ displays.
These early thrift store predecessors were relatively simple: Impoverished people became organizations’ workforce, collecting unwanted goods and refurbishing them. The pieces that could be salvaged were then sold at junk shops and the money put back into the programs.
Not everyone liked the model. As Le Zotte documents, they savaged the Salvation Army as “junk dealers” and implicated that the business was shady and unsavory. It was time for a rebrand—and the thrift store was born.
Le Zotte draws connections between the thrift of Christianity and the thrift of capitalism. Thrift stores drove awareness of charitable giving and helped American consumers come to terms with an increasingly mass-produced, disposable economic system. And the more one could justify their purchases as thrifty and charitable, the more one could justify casting off consumer goods.
Thrift stores served another purpose: They were a gateway drug to American consumer culture, teaching poor immigrants how to shop. Despite concerns about the morality of shopping itself, writes Le Zotte, reformers argued that thrift stores helped immigrants “develop the skills necessary to adequately negotiate the increasingly complex American marketplace.”
In case you have never been, thrift stores are places where you can purchase used clothing, accessories, furniture, and pretty much everything under the sun at a very low price. Of course, not everything in the store is worth the money, but with the right tips and even some plain old good luck, you can find some incredible treasures hidden within the aisles.
Know where to shop
The first tip is to seek out the best thrift stores in your area. You can do this by simply looking up “thrift stores near me” and checking out the reviews. Typically, the thrift store in Panama City Beach, FLis better because they are bigger and have a lot more items to sell. Goodwill, Salvation Army, and Savers are some of the most well known chain thrift stores. Also keep in mind that you will usually get nicer finds in a thrift store that is located in a more upscale community, so sometimes it is worth the drive.
Have some patience
When you enter the thrift store, it can be pretty overwhelming, especially if it is a large store crammed with stuff. First, take a deep breath and focus on which department you would like to venture into. The idea is to keep your mind open and scan through each item, whether it be clothes, shoes, or anything else, with ease and patience. Looking through clothes can be particularly hard since there are so many, but take your time until you see a certain color, fabric, or style that catches your eye. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t find anything at first – sometimes it takes a few trips until you get lucky.
How to thrift shop like a pro
Look for sales
As if the prices weren’t cheap enough, there are almost always sales in thrift stores. Some stores will put colored tags on the items and each day will have a sale on a certain color. Some stores will have days where something specific is on sale such as dresses, shoes, shirts, jewelry, and more. Don’t be shy to ask an employee when the next big sale is coming up.
Check the condition before you buy
Even if you find an awesome Calvin Klein Tee for two dollars, don’t be too quick to throw it in your cart. Take a few moments to check the condition of the fabric and make sure there are no stains or holes. If you are buying an electronic item or something with multiple pieces, make sure it is all there and not missing any parts or broken. Even though it is dirt cheap it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t check out the merchandise before you buy it. Remember that the item is used and there is a big chance that the condition is not perfect. Look for items that look clean, in good shape, and almost new.
Bring in your old stuff
While you are in the store, you might as well drop off some items of your own. We all have old clothes that are just taking up space in our closets, or nicknacks that are collecting dust in the attic. Do a good deed and give it all to a thrift store. Lots of the larger thrift stores donate their profits to specific organizations and charities.
Living an environmentally-friendly lifestyle is an increasingly popular trend, especially among young adults. With this comes the trend of secondhand shopping, or thrifting. Whether it’s physically hunting through piles of clothes at Goodwill or Salvation Army, or shopping on an online consignment shop like thredUP, this fashion and lifestyle trend has become an eco-friendly, socially responsible and chic way to shop.
Though thrift shopping may have been looked down upon previously, it has been embraced by many, becoming a huge player in the fashion world. According to First Research, the resale stores industry in the U.S. includes over 20,000 stores, with a collective annual revenue of about $17 billion. The Association of Resale Professionals reported that Goodwill Industries alone earned $5.37 billion of that revenue in retail sales from over 2,000 not-for-profit resale stores and online sales in 2014.
The most obvious personal benefit to resale shopping is the amount of money you’ll save while doing it. According to True Activist, the average clothing item sold at resale is about 50 percent cheaper than you would pay in a regular store. Secondhand shops almost always tend to have designer brands at a big discount.
What’s more, there is no more waiting for next season’s collection as thrift shops in Panama City Beach, FL receive clothing donations every day, meaning most of the clothes at these stores is new-in, and as varied as the people donating them. That means there is something for everyone, and there will always be fresh options to choose from.
The clothes sold by second-hand stores are donated by all types of people, which means you are bound to find something that works for you. The variety of cuts and styles alone allows people with different tastes, as well as different body types to find something. And even if you get home and the piece of clothing you bought doesn’t fit like you thought, you only dropped a couple of dollars on it anyway. You could even donate it back to the store you got it from.
Secondhand stores have long been considered the promised land of eccentric clothing. If you’re looking for unique statement pieces, head to a consignment shop or thrift store and look for a vintage faux fur vest or a fringe suede jacket.
One of the many benefits of thrift shopping is the diverse wardrobe you’ll inevitably develop. These eclectic donations mean you can find various kinds of clothing from all different designers, collections and decades on any given day. With the revamp of 1970s style making a statement in the fashion world, thrift shopping is one way to find genuine vintage clothing so you can truly embrace the trend. When you are on the hunt, keep an eye out for bell-bottom pants, flowy lace tops and dresses with bell sleeves.
Looking for an outfit more suited to the current decade? College students and young adults often sell their clothes to thrift stores, which you can too if you need the extra bucks.
Thrift shopping considered an eco-friendly alternative to regular shopping because it reduces waste, keeping unused clothing out of the landfills. Every item of clothing you buy second-hand is one less piece that has to be manufactured in a factory, meaning less energy being burned and gases released into the environment.
Outside of simply being good for the environment, many consignment shops and thrift stores run as supporters of various charities and organizations. Goodwill is part of Goodwill Industries, which provides programs to people with socio-economic barriers to help them find employment. The Salvation Army also provides shelter, food, job training and guidance to struggling families outside of selling clothing. Even if you don’t shop at one of these charitable stores, spending money at local consignment shops and thrift stores is a good way to keep money in your community and help small businesses.
Young blonde and brown friends enjoy in secondhand clothing shop
Whether you love the thrill of the hunt or you’re trying to stretch your shopping budget (or a little of both), shopping at thrift stores can really help you make the most of your money. But not everything at thrift stores in Panama City Beach, FL is a good deal. And there are lots of tips and tricks to help you shop smart and avoid common thrifting mistakes. Let’s take a look at the do’s and don’ts of thrift store shopping.
DO
Visit Several Stores
One of the best parts of thrift store shopping is that no two stores will have the same items. You’ll have the best chance of success when you visit multiple stores in different parts of town.
Make it Easy to Try Things On
Many thrift stores don’t have fitting rooms, so you might have to try things on over your clothes. Wearing leggings and a close-fitting T-shirt or tank top as a first layer means you can slip things over them with ease.
Keep an Open Mind
You never know what you’re going to find when thrifting, which means you’ll have the most fun when you’re open to possibility. You can go shopping with specific things in mind, but don’t be disappointed if you can’t locate exact matches for your wish list.
Learn Basic Mending Skills
Oftentimes people will donate clothing simply because it needs a small repair, such as sewing on a button, turning up a hem or fixing a zipper. Learning these basic mending skills means you won’t have to pass up a good find that needs a small fix.
Get to Know the Staff
Make an effort to establish friendly relationships with staff members at your favorite thrift spots. They’ll be able to let you know when they’ve spotted a great find that suits your style and may even set things aside for you before they hit the sales floor. They will also clue you into upcoming sales and other special events.
Inspect Items with a Critical Eye
Many thrift stores don’t allow returns. That’s why you’ll want to thoroughly inspect items before you commit to buying them. Be on the lookout for stains, odors or major damage you can’t easily repair yourself.
DON’T
Buy Just Because it’s Cheap
Super-low thrift store prices can make it tempting to buy more than you really want or need. Just because something is cheap, doesn’t mean it’s a bargain. Unless you know for certain you will use or wear something, leave it for the next lucky treasure hunter.
Assume All Stores Have the Same Policies
Store policies regarding payment method, returns and donations vary widely. Don’t assume all thrift stores share similar policies. To avoid frustration and confusion, ask a staff member to outline their policies when you visit a store for the first time.
Hesitate to Bargain
Thrift store prices are low, but that doesn’t mean they can’t go lower. If you think something is priced too high for what is, ask if they’re willing to take less for it. Just be polite in doing so and don’t be discouraged if they’re not open to bargaining.
Forget to Wash or Dry Clean Items Before Wearing
You’ll be excited about your new finds, but be sure to take the time to wash or clean them before wearing. For dry clean only items, a home cleaning system, such as Dryel, is an easier, cheaper option than going to the dry cleaner.
Make these Common Mistakes
There are certain things you should never buy from thrift stores. That list includes: underwear, swimwear, workout gear, and hats. And be very careful when buying thrifted shoes. Unless they are brand new or barely worn, it’s probably best to leave them on the shelf.
Damaged, worn, and outdated furniture can be a hassle to get rid of, but there are plenty of alternatives to trashing it.
Reuse
When furniture no longer fits your lifestyle, consider selling, donating or giving it away.
Many thrift stores accept furniture for resale, and some nonprofits such as Bridging redistribute used furniture to people in need.
You can also try selling or giving an item away on neighborhood social media sites such as Facebook garage sale groups, Nextdoor and Craigslist. And don’t forget to check these places first when looking for replacement or new-to-you furniture.
Repair
When breaks, surfaces get scratched, or upholstery tears, try getting it repaired instead of replacing it.
There are dozens of furniture repair businesses in Hennepin County and the greater metro area that can get your furniture looking new and functioning again. The Hennepin County Fix-It Clinics offer free advice and assistance on repairing repair household goods, including furniture.
Event when items don’t seem fixable, check with an expert first before you get rid of it – you may be surprised at what is possible.
Repurpose
When furniture is outdated or you decide you like the shape but not the look, consider repurposing it.
Wooden chairs, tables and bookshelves can take on a whole new look with a simple coat of paint. Dressers can be transformed from drab to chic with some paint and new hardware. Upholstered furniture can be reupholstered or even painted for a new look and feel, and this may be cheaper than buying new.
Outdated pieces can also be transformed into new uses. For example, a dresser or table can be converted into a bathroom vanity, or a cabinet can become a kitchen island. Look for ideas and instruction guides online.
When repurposing items, or if you are building from scratch, look for used materials at the numerous used building material businesses in the area.
If you’re cleaning and decluttering, this is a great time to get serious about donating usable goods that are taking up space in your overcrowded home.
We’re here to help, given that it isn’t exactly business as usual when it comes to donating. To make things easier, both for you and for the organizations that will receive your donated goods, we’ll walk you through:
How and where to get started with donation
What to donate
How to prep and store items for donation
Where to donate or sell items properly
Where to Get Started
Decluttering might sound easy enough in theory until it comes time to actually get started. Then you may find that there’s a reason you’ve been putting it off for this long. Maybe you’re just not sure where to begin or how to channel your inner Marie Kondo and get organized.
Uncertainty about where to start and what to do might tempt you just to toss unwanted goods in the trash. Don’t do it! Donating and buying usable everyday items (along with sharing and renting them, etc.) are some of the smartest, most effective ways to reduce pollution and preserve the scarce resources that go into manufacturing, transporting, marketing and ultimately disposing of new goods. Recycling is good. Reuse is way better!
So, if you find yourself getting frustrated, let us make things easier by helping you approach the process of organizing and preparing your donations methodically!
We suggest taking it one room at a time.
Room 1: Bedrooms
Bedroom closets are a great place to start when it comes to decluttering, since unwanted shoes and clothes can quickly fill them to capacity. Clothing especially takes up a lot of room you may or may not have. Here are some good questions to ask yourself when debating whether or not to part with shoes, jewelry, purses, clothes or other accessories:
Do I love it?
Do I wear it?
Does it project the image I want to project?
Does it itch or scratch?
Does it pinch my toes? Are the heels too high to walk in?
Is it torn? Stained?
Does it fit? And if not, is it likely ever to fit me in the future?
Be honest with yourself when answering these questions and think about how much use and joy you really get out of some of those items. There are also benefits to owning fewer clothes, especially if you’re trying to live a more minimalist lifestyle. Plus, you’ll be providing someone else the opportunity to love these items. It’s a win-win.
Tip: Keep a box or bag in your closet or laundry room specifically for donations. It’ll make decluttering even easier by providing a place for items you no longer want or use whenever you happen upon them.
Room 2: Kitchen
Start with food. If you have unwanted, non-perishable items nearing expiration, donate them to a local food pantry.
Next, let’s move onto kitchen gadgets. Ask yourself, how much use is that waffle iron really getting? And what about those old pots and pans that are still in good shape but have long since been replaced? Those are items that someone else would probably love to take off your hands.
Lastly, dishware and silverware. Maybe you have a cupboard overflowing with coffee mugs or you got a new silverware set and aren’t sure what to do with the old set. Donate it!
Room 3: Family Room
We recommend donating things like games and puzzles (mark if missing pieces), DVD/Blu-Ray movies, video games and consoles. Check your bookshelves for books you likely won’t read ever again. If they’re in good shape, you can donate. If not, you can recycle paperback books (hardcover books you would have to toss due to their binding) along with other items from your home office that you no longer use.
If you have kids, be sure to go through their toys or stuffed animals and see which ones are still in good condition. Donate what your kids have outgrown or don’t play with anymore. Also, don’t forget about that coat closet where things like shoes, coats, hats, gloves, and umbrellas usually end up.
Room 4: Garage
The garage can sometimes be a “catchall” for things we don’t want but aren’t ready to get rid of quite yet. You’ll likely find lots of donatable goodies out there. Take a look at usable items that make sense to donate for the season we’re in – like bikes, holiday décor, tools, sports equipment, or plant containers.
Maybe you have pet supplies stored out here that you’re no longer using. Things like usable food dishes, crates, kennels, toys and leashes. Many donation centers take these items along with animal rescues.
Still not sure which items you should consider donating? Here’s a bit more inspiration.
What to Donate
Items you should consider donating:
Antiques and home décor
Appliances
Baby gear and diapers
Bicycles
Books
Cameras
Clothing–men, women, children
Costumes
Crafts and sewing supplies
Electronics
Fitness equipment
Formalwear, gowns and wedding dresses
Furniture
Games and toys
Home improvement and repair items
Household items
Jewelry and watches
Lawn, garden and tools
Medical equipment
Movies and music
Musical instruments
Office, storage and school supplies
Pet supplies
Sports and outdoor recreation gear
Shoes and leather
Vacuums
Vehicles and boats
You may have some items that you’re unsure if you should or can donate. Different organizations and stores will have different criteria or items they don’t accept, so we recommend checking with them first.
Find information on the best way to recycle, reuse or dispose of items from your home by viewing the Green Disposal Guide. You can find a list of items as well as search particular items you may be questioning. You can also find drop-off facilities near you that are open and what items they’re accepting.
How to Donate
How to prepare donations
Clean Before donating any items, it’s a good idea to give them a good cleaning. Clothing and linens, even if they haven’t been worn or used in a while, could benefit from a quick wash, for example. You should wipe down things like toys and games and give pots and pans a good scrub. While some organizations may accept unwashed items, it’s best to clean them before you donate.
Check your items Check to make sure your items are in working order and complete before boxing them up for donation. Check pockets, book pages, and drawers as well, to make sure you’re not leaving something behind.
Organize Once you’ve cleaned and checked your items, if you can, separate them into useful categories (e.g. shoes, decorations, clothing, linens, housewares, games, toys, etc.). Secondhand stores will sort and organize items as part of their intake process but doing this part upfront will help save them time. It’s also best to keep matching items together.
Label your items Your donations have been decided, cleaned, checked, are in working order, and organized. The last step in prepping your items is to label your bags or boxes, marking what category or items are inside them, and maybe even noting the donation location. This way you know right where you stored your donations and where they’re going.
How to store donations
While some businesses remain closed due to COVID-19, others are beginning to reopen and will start accepting donations again. We recommend contacting your local store for information on store hours and their ability to accept donations. If the location you were considering isn’t accepting donations quite yet, don’t let that tempt you into ditching your donations instead. Here are a few storage ideas in the event you have to hold onto your items a little while longer:
Your basement
The garage
A spare bedroom
In the corner of a room
At a friend or family member’s home if you don’t have extra space
Again, make sure you’re placing items in easy-to-carry and easy-to-store bags and boxes. That way, when the time comes to donate them, it’s not too much of a hassle to load them. Also, no matter where you decide to store your items, try to make sure it is someplace safe from the elements and critters. Oh, and don’t tuck them away so completely that you forget about them!
How to donate your items
If you don’t have space or can’t stand to look at your items for a minute longer, you can search for locations that are open and accepting donations. While this may be limited right now, there are some.
Where to Donate
We implore you not to drop off your items outside these locations or bins, as they are either not open or aren’t accepting or picking up donated goods. Again, we recommend contacting your local store for information on store hours and their ability to accept donations.
When it comes to deciding where to donate or sell your decluttered items, there are a variety of options, from thrift shops, to consignment stores, resale retailers, vintage shops, and even online stores. You can use choose the thrift stores in Panama City, FL for suggestions on where to donate.
Regardless of what you decide to donate, how you choose to prep and store your items, or even ultimately where you end up donating, we just ask that you think twice before ditching your items. Donating, selling, and/or buying used goods helps keep items out of the trash and reduces our impact on the planet. We encourage you to buy used whenever possible and donate or sell unneeded usable goods.
Books. There is something about them that touches your senses. The look, feel, and smell of the perfect used book is something any book lover will tell you about. Sometimes it can even be the hunt to find that out-of-print book in the series you’ve been looking for. No matter what a used book means to you, there are tons of ways to reuse the books that you no longer want.
Donating
The key to donating books is knowing the what, when, and where. Check with the organization you are donating to what they accept, where to donate books, and when they accept donations. Smaller or seasonal sales may only accept book donations at a certain time of the year.
Be sure that the books you are donating are free of mold or mildew (odor free), all pages are intact and the binding is still solid. No one wants a stinky book or a book that is missing pages.
Books like encyclopedias, textbooks, book sets, Reader’s Digest Condensed Books, are often a little more difficult to donate, so be sure to check what they will accept before donating.
If donating to an international charitable organization or an organization that is providing books to another country, be sure to ask what types of books they are looking for so you know they can use it. It costs any organization or business money to recycle or dispose of unwanted books.
Buying and selling
Used book sales—Community organizations and non-profits will often hold occasional book sales and these can be held every few months or annually. Be sure to check local Facebook sites and community newspapers for these sales. Many times they’ll accept donations of books you no longer need as well.
Used book stores—These types of stores are often locally owned and operated. They will take your used books a variety of ways, giving you cash, store credit or offering trade in exchange for your books. These types of stores are a great way to find out of print, collectible, vintage, and current books for a lot cheaper than new books from an online retailer, chain bookstore or discount retailer.
Library sales—Volunteers help each library by selling books pulled out of circulation from the library, as well as donations from the public. These sales profits directly go to each library the sales are held at to help with all sorts of expenses.
Trading and swapping—The fun thing with trading and swapping is you can do it with friends, neighbors, co-workers, just about anyone, anywhere. You can set up a swap table at work or your local coffee shop may have a bookshelf to let patron’s trade books with one another. You’ll be surprised who is trading books.
Online used books—Everything seems to be available at the touch of a button these days. If you aren’t able to find that ‘must have’ book at the places mentioned above, there is likely a place to find it online. Did you know many independently owned book stores have a web presence as well? So you can still shop with the small stores, even online! Just check out their web sites and browse away.
The thrift stores in Panama City Beach, FL has listings of book sale events, businesses and organizations that are interested in your books, so please be sure to search for your area when you are in need of a new-to-you book or are ready to part with your last read.
Steve Clark 