My “ETC” Method for Thrifting Saves Me Money in Every Store
Whether I need a new skirt or storage containers for my kitchen, I always turn to thrift shopping. It feels good to know that I’m picking up things that are still functional while being easier on the planet by choosing to shop secondhand. Then, there’s the fact that I help pay for my daughter’s college tuition as a vintage reseller. With spaces in four antique malls and a Chairish storefront to stock, it’s no wonder I spend several days a week at charity boutiques.
All that time spent secondhand shopping combined with my passion for unique used goods has more than once led to me buying a bit too much for my home — even if I plan to sell it later. Sometimes, those impulse buys turn into regret or, as has happened many times over, realizing I already have one of whatever I purchased.
To lessen the chance of buyer remorse, I’ve adopted my own method of checks and balances, which I call the ETC Method. Basically, it’s a way to buy better and really think about my purchases instead of going home with each and every thing I like, sometimes negating the money-saving aspect of thrift shopping. If you, too, find yourself buying more than you need, here’s all you need to know about the ETC Method.
What Is the ETC Method?
The letters “etc” typically mean et cetera and are a way to shorten a long list of items. It’s also the perfect acronym for my ETC Method, which stands for “edit the cart.” Essentially, I’m shortening a lengthy list of possible purchases into a curated, well-thought-out selection by asking myself a few questions before heading to the register. It’s almost the last thing I do before checking out, but let’s dive into the questions I ask.
6 Essential Questions to Ask When Using the ETC Method
The amount of time I spend at the thrift store is directly proportional to the number of items in my cart. I’m one of those folks who could spend an hour or more in a store — which I only do when I’m alone or with my oldest daughter, who has also caught the thrifting bug as a wife and mother of three little ones.
If I have a lot of time, I put everything I’m seriously considering into my cart. This practice may seem extreme, but if I like it and think “yes with a hint of maybe,” I don’t want to risk the item not being on the shelf when I circle back. I did this on a recent trip to The Hospice Resale Shop, a massive store in my youngest daughter’s college town.
On the way back to meet my daughter for dinner, I also popped into Goodwill for a quick peek. If I’m in a rush, I tend to be more thoughtful when placing items in my cart and making decisions along the way. No matter how long I have, I ask myself the following six ETC Method questions to pare my stash down.
Do I already have something like this that I use?
One of the items in my cart was a top that checked many boxes for me: quality brand, natural fabric, and a classic, button-down style. The decision could have gone either way. I could argue that it’s a closet staple I’d wear a lot, but I also have several floral blouses I don’t wear enough, so I ultimately decided to pass. If I find that I like something better than what I have at home, I may purchase it and resell or donate the replaced item.
Do I need this?
I usually move an item to the “yes” pile if it fills a need. That was the case with the skinny, black leather belt I purchased to help cinch dresses (it had been on my wish list for a while!). Choosing some versatile place mats to dress up my dining table was another easy decision. Although I was looking for an Easter basket, I didn’t buy the one in my cart because I’d rather choose something neutral that I could use all year round.
Does this align with my values?
Ensuring a piece blends with my overall vision is challenging, especially as a reseller. For example, I’m trying to stock my own closet with only natural fabrics, and I’m also trying to provide this experience for my clothing customers. I’ve learned to pass on shirts and sweaters made of plastic — polyester, acrylic, nylon — unless they are incredibly unique. I bought a few cotton sweaters and a stellar pair of vintage Chic jeans for a customer looking for that particular brand. However, I passed on a large art piece because it was a print, not a painting, and I’m trying to fill my home with original art.
Am I willing to pay this price?
For me, the question of cost applies to both the individual item and the overall amount I’m willing to spend on a thrifting trip. While $4 for a Goodwill geode I recently bought may seem like a lot, I was okay with that price when I looked up the cost online. When curating, I also consider the total of a particular trip and weigh it against my finances and what I’ve spent recently at other thrift stores.
Is this in good condition?
While I look over items well before placing them in my cart, I do a final check to search for flaws. It’s even better to do this in natural light. I check clothes for stains, rips (look carefully at the armpits!), and missing buttons, and I scan breakables for cracks and repairs. Although I use Fiestaware at home, I decided to leave the mugs behind — although they were functional, the mugs had too many scratches to justify the purchase.
Does this make me happy?
A decade ago, Marie Kondo was all the rage for her concept of sparking joy. Sometimes, even if a piece checks all of my boxes with the questions above, I will still pass if I second-guess it the tiniest bit. Although I had a brown, ceramic pitcher in my recent cart of yeses, I just kept getting a negative vibe about buying it, so I left it with the checkout person while making my final purchase.
One Final Thought About the ETC Method
Because my Goodwill trip was shorter and more intentional, I only passed on $13 worth of items (two clothing pieces and a belt). My longer shopping trip to the hospice charity shop totaled $90, and while that sounds like a lot, I passed on buying a cart full of things that cost roughly $100. However, I want to stress that I absolutely did not leave an abandoned cart for employees and volunteers to put away at either location.
When sifting through my items, I go to an out-of-the-way part of the store to sort, and then I put each item back in the section where I found it. Christmas items went back with the holiday goods, and clothing was returned to its respective sorted sections. Part of thrifting is being kind and respectful — both to the planet and those working hard so others can purchase pre-owned goods.
This post originally appeared on Apartment Therapy. See it there: I Follow the “ETC” Method at Every Thrift Store, and It Saves Me Money Every Time
Further Reading
We Asked 3 Chefs to Name the Best Ice Cream, and They All Said the Same Thing
Do Water Filters Really Work — And Which Ones Are the Best?
Tuscan Chicken Is the "Most Delicious" Dinner of All Time, Says Everyone Who's Tried It
