22 Times People Couldn’t Believe Their Luck In Thrift Stores, Flea Markets And Garage Sales

The younger generation is possibly the most environmentally-conscious one yet, and to protect our our earth people are taking initiative to reduce waste. Buying second-hand clothes from thrift shops significantly reduces not just waste but pollution as well. No matter what material your clothes are made of the production of garments is detrimental to the environment. To produce synthetic materials such as polyester requires the use of petroleum and byproducts of toxic gases. Post-production even causes a toll through transportation-related pollution. When you buy second-hand clothing the transportation decreases significantly and they are less likely to end up in a landfill.

Thrifting is not just environmentally conscious but can be socially as well. When you buy from large corporations you know you run the risk of contributing to unethical labor practices, but while you can't unmake clothes you can save yourself from investing more money into these companies by only buying them second-hand. As a bonus, many thrift shores donate or support charities, raising money for their communities or humanitarian aid.

We all want to help out the globe, but thrifting cheap things of course has the added bonus of benefiting shoppers personally. Who doesn't want to snag a designer handbag for $5 or a unique vintage jacket that was discontinued for $3 - compare that with a $50 graphic tee that everyone owns and it will make you want to head to your local thrift store right away.

Thrift shops aren't the only places to find one-of-a-kind items even garage sales have buried treasure hiding among them. Finding something unique is part of the fun but what about when you find something that has way more value than you paid for it? Think Antiques Roadshow, if you think you found something valuable it is possible it is. One woman paid $10 on a painting to find it valued at $15,000

Reuse and upcycle! Upcycling is a creative process where you transform an old item or material into something new. Many people go thrifting and put a new spin on vintage clothes or old finds to bring them back to life. Thrifting is a way to flex your creative muscles to express individuality. With upcycling old pieces or materials that may be rough around the edges aren't being discarded but have new life breathed back into them.