Charity shops

Nicki

Phone local schools, particularly any special schools in your area and see if they can make use of it for arts and crafts or to make costumes for drama productions. My daughter is at a special school for children with learning difficulties and they would snap your arm off at the shoulder if you so much as mentioned that you had this kind of thing to offer!

wendym

Thank you. For some reason, when I hit the thanks button it just makes the screen jump. It's a new (to me) computer, so perhaps it's just settling in.

LydiaSophia

Yes - or try a local brownies something like that.

Charity shops throw heaps of things away - I don't take stuff there anymore, I save everything up and do a boot sale every year or so.

CLARABEL

I agree, offer it to a school or playgroup.

xx they'll be really grateful:j

inkie

Salvation Army clothing bank?

emily_jackson

I love charity shops. I like the fact that you can find a bargain and help a charity at the same time. By the way, if you're looking for books, libraries always sell them, but every so often they have a massive sale.

Austin_Allegro

I'm a big fan of charity shops and use them all the time. Primark etc have to an extent undercut them for things like cheap shirts, but charity shops are still great for good quality items at low prices - eg I got a Highland covert coat brand new for £10, which would normally cost about £300-£600. Primark certainly don't sell those!

You need to adopt a different method of shopping with charity shops - just have a quick look every time you're passing to see what bargains are available (assuming you will need them at some point in the future - don't just buy on impulse - although if you do like buying on impulse, it's safer than in the 'new' shops...)

I also tend to buy stacks of books for 10p, 20p each. Once read I put them on Amazon - most don't sell but some do for £2-£3 which more than covers the original outlay. I know some people don't like the idea of making a profit from a charity shop, but I think it's ok, since they got a fair price and otherwise it would go in the bin.

I also stick to the local charity shops - Hospice shops, animal charities etc. The 'nationals' tend to be overpriced I find. Some national chains are ok - Sue Ryder and Red Cross tend to be good. And of course, stick to the posh areas - Hampstead, Highgate, Muswell Hill, Kensington, Chelsea and Golders Green are all on my 'circuit'...

Sarahsaver

Our freecycle had had loads of baby clothes offered lately!
I got DH 2 cricket books from the charity shop, one the flintoff one brand spanking new for a quid (his birthday today:) that was from the kids )
BUT... my recent foray into TK maxx I got 2 pairs of leather boots and a pair of leather shoes for £8, and approx. £138 worth of clothes for £17, stuff I wouldn't usually have like Calvin Klein and FCUK. THis lot would have cost me more in a charity shop!
Our local charity shop also does some lovely jam, marmalade and chutney made by an elderly lady.
Lillibet did you not keep any clothes from your first child? I dressed DD largely in unisex colours so all her vests, babygros, jumpers etc. got 3 uses out of them. I have kept a few bits, just in case;)

Pink_butterfly_3

The best thing i ever found was a knee length 'bench' jacket. It was the EXACT one I wanted and i had been looking for one in the shops for ages. It was £90 though so i couldn't really justify spending it.

It was quite funny really as I saw a woman trying it on in Oxfam and i stood there watching her, praying it wouldn't fit!! Luckily she put it back and i snatched it up so fast. It cost £10 and was in perfect condition.

Edit: Woohoooo, i'm now a regular moneysaver now!!

Busybody

I was in my local Oxfam the other day and saw a garment (I think it was from Primark) The original ticket was on it £3.50. Oxfam had priced it at £3.99 :mad: