20 Things Only Thrifters Will Understand

Thrifting is one of life's greatest joys. If you know, you know. For those of us who treasure hunt on a regular basis, there are certain things we can all relate to. Whether it is a common frustration or maybe proper etiquette. My friend and junkin' queen, Teresa Cook, helped me come up with this list of things only thrifters will understand.

20 Things Only Thrifters Will Relate to

1. Why are there 100 price stickers on that thing you just picked up? Why are half of them on the hardest place to peel off? Or on the front of an antique painting?

2. The pressure of flipping through the rack as someone is "competing" with you in the same size section. I agree with Teresa here. "The person more than halfway down the aisle has 'right of way." She said, "Also, if I didn't exchange vows with you, live with you in a common law fashion, or give you life, you do not get to stand that close to me in said aisle." Amen!

3. You totally look up interesting things to see what their value is. Then call your friends who would appreciate your find and brag about it a little. Or a lot!

4. The crushing feeling when you find the perfect thing, but it is the wrong size.

5. You always get a basket. Just go ahead and assume your arms will be full of treasures. Manifest that ish.

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6. When you walk in, and the store smells like "old." That "Thrift Whiff" I like to call it. Antique books, dust, and a dash of mildew. Sweet and a little dirty, but also gives you a serious dose of nostalgia. Your memories take you back to exploring your Memaw's attic or Papaw's barn.

7. Becoming a furniture repair expert. Just because a beautiful piece has a wonky leg doesn't mean it can't live its second life at my house!

8. Check the pockets.

9. When you find a treasure you know one of your friends will like, you either take a picture and send it to them, or buy it to surprise them with. I always send pictures of creepy clowns to my friend Chad to giggle about.

10. You keep a running list of "bucket list" treasures you are constantly looking out for. Maybe it is a cool oil lamp your aunt had, or an Urkel pull-string toy, or old band tees. I collect vintage yellow smiley face decor and memorabilia, so I keep my eyes peeled for that.

11. You schedule thrifting into your travel itinerary. Pulling over to use the bathroom in a little town and see the blue Goodwill symbol? Guess what we are doing before we get back on the highway! We also have favorite spots in PCB and the Pensacola area that we hit up when we are down there on vacation.

12. You just KNOW when you come across an overpriced booth at an antique store. Why is a 50-cent yard sale sticker underneath a $10 price tag? Why do they have a printout of how much that fancy vase is listed for on eBay? You don't care how much they paid for it, you want a deal, dang it. You whisper to yourself, "They must really like their stuff!" as you walk away and let them keep it.

13. You have totally hidden something to try to keep it safe til you can come back later and get it.

14. You have regrets about treasures you didn't buy. They may not keep you up at night, but when you're reminded, it hurts just as much as the first time. You've learned that even though you aren't 100% sure you want something, You'd better go ahead and put it in your basket while you decide. Or else someone will come up and snatch it!

15. You've totally followed someone around to see if they will return something you want from their basket. You never know!

16, Good day? Celebrate with treasure hunting! Bad day? Make it better with treasure hunting! Looking for and finding little trinkets is what fuels us.

17. You plan out your yard sale route with Barb's weekly guide. You wake up early Saturday morning to tackle as many as you can until the thrift stores open. Then, you shift into indoor treasure hunting mode.

18. On Fridays, chances are you will return to work late from your lunch break. You will see a yard sale sign that pulls you in like a siren on the ocean. Even when it's a bust, it is always worth it.

19. The vehicle you drive was chosen because "it can fit things in it." It should also have a sticker that says "Will break for thrift stores."

20. You definitely have at least one treasure that is haunted.

Which one do you relate to the most? Is there something else you would add? Chime in on the Facebook conversation or send a message on the App chat!