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Back-To-School season is here! Shop smart and save big at Goodwill! Your kids will be hitting the books and ruling the playground in style without you breaking the bank. We're recreated these 3 Back-To-School looks using only items found at your local Goodwill stores. (In fact, the ensembles were found in less than an hour at one Goodwill location!) Recreate your favorite Back-To-School looks at a fraction of the price at Goodwill. Happy thrifting!    About The Author
Alexis loves the thrill of the thrifting hunt and enjoys finding the latest trends at a fraction of the price. She has been the Marketing Coordinator with Goodwill Industries of New Mexico since 2012 and is excited to spread the word about the many benefits of thrifting to younger generations.  Finding unique jewelry pieces in the thrift stores of New Mexico - from antique turquoise to modern designs from major retailers is easier than you think. One of the most consistently trendy metals to sport is gold. This timeless metal never goes out of style and is versatile enough to wear everyday, so it is no surprise that it is one of the most exciting things to discover in the jewelry case of your local thrift store. Goodwill Industries of New Mexico receives donated treasures from around the state (country and even world!); with a constantly circulating selection of jewelry pieces. So finding a piece of gold jewelry that you absolutely love is always possible, but how can you tell that a piece of gold jewelry is real? Here’s some pro tips that will help you get the most bang for your buck as you thrift around town.
Check for a stamp Lots of items made of genuine gold will sport a stamp on the inner portion of the band in the case of a ring or bracelet, or on the back of the pendant in a necklace. These numbers indicate the carat quality of the piece. If you see the number “416,” you're holding a ten carat piece. “585” indicates a 14 carat piece of jewelry, while “750” is 18 carats. Look for the tell tale signs of gold plating and filling Gold jewelry pieces that have been constructed with gold filling or plating can be just as beautiful as the real deal- but how to tell the difference? Often these items will showcase a stamp similar to the kind mentioned above, but in this case, you'll see a fraction that tells the purchaser the ratio of gold to other metals. For example, you may see a stamp that reads “1/20 14K,” which means that about five percent of the piece is 14 carat gold. Other indicators include stamps such as “GP” for gold plated or “HGE” for heavy gold electroplate. Test with a jewelry cleaning cloth or magnet Vintage pieces of gold may be lacking the markings that often indicate its quality. In this case, you can simply apply a jewelry cleaning cloth and see if some of the coloring comes off indicating a fake. Don't have a jewelry cleaning cloth handy? Grab a magnet. Real gold won't be attracted to it. No matter the treasure you're searching for, the wealth of items circulating through New Mexico's Goodwill locations means that you're bound to find something priceless - from vintage clothing to genuine gold. Getting lost in the aisles of your neighborhood thrift store isn't just a good time, but the opportunity to find real value for a small amount of dough. Happy shopping! About The Author Maggie Grimason is a blog writer living in Albuquerque, NM. She grew up in a family of social servants and teachers in northern Indiana and finds that blogging for Goodwill Industries of New Mexico satisfies creative energies as well as her commitment to ethical living and community service. Making a consistent side income by flipping fabulous Goodwill finds is surprisingly easy - if you know what you're looking for. With the abundance of websites like eBay, Amazon, and even Etsy for vintage treasures, you stand the chance to make plenty of extra cash just by doing just a little extra shopping. Sound too good to be true? It really isn't! If hitting up thrift stores around New Mexico is already a hobby, you can easily resell key items and put that little bit of profit toward your bills, a vacation, or maybe even your next shopping spree! Here we've compiled the basics to get you started on your new adventures flipping Goodwill finds.
As you shop, keep in mind that not all thrift stores are created equal. Some thrift shops offer up everything but the kitchen sink, while others have a curated selection of goods with a big price tag. If you're looking to cruise the aisles for low-priced clothing items, functional electronics, and tons of unique furniture and accessories, try the various Goodwill locations in your area. Since Goodwill is once of the biggest thrift stores in the nation, it offers an ever-changing selection at budget prices. If you want to resell your finds on sites like eBay, it is wise to do a little bit of “market research” before you make your next thrift store run. Take a careful look at what seems to be selling on sites like this. Some frequently found items at Goodwill that can fetch a high resell value include books (think college textbooks!), brand name clothing (hello, North Face!), and vintage and sterling silver dishware. When it comes to clothing, keep in mind that the season can influence the price you're able to fetch, so you might not want to list those designer sandals on eBay in December. As you endeavor to flip key items from local thrift stores, keep an eye on your watch. Consider time versus money as you shop. If you're spending all day rifling cluttered clothing racks for a vintage jacket that you only make a few dollars of profit on, it might not be worth it. By following these basic principles, you'll be able to come up with your own formula for success in no time. Even if you arrive at reselling success through trial and error, as a shopper you'll have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that dollars spent at Goodwill add up to meaningful service to our community, whether or not they sell for big bucks online. Good luck out there! About The Author Maggie Grimason is a blog writer living in Albuquerque, NM. She grew up in a family of social servants and teachers in northern Indiana and finds that blogging for Goodwill Industries of New Mexico satisfies creative energies as well as her commitment to ethical living and community service.
 For fashionistas on a budget, there's nothing quite like browsing local thrift stores like the many Goodwill locations for vintage clothing finds. For aspiring vintage connoisseurs, however, the process may seem overwhelming. So here are some tips for newbies on the thrifting scene.
At Goodwill you'll find clothes from every era- from all the most current trends to funky retro gear, and you'll be able to shop with the peace of mind that comes with knowing your hard earned money will be returned to our community in the shape of job skills training courses, and much more. When it comes to shopping for vintage wares at thrift stores, you should first become more attuned to exactly what constitutes a vintage item as opposed to what's simply second hand. A hard definition of “vintage” is difficult to come by, but generally, vintage denotes “special.” Timelessness of style, quality, and feel can be strong indicators of a vintage piece, as can the kind of cultural language that comes with it. Tip 1: Seeking out timeless pieces that you can get a lot of use out of is a good avenue to take as you become familiar with thrifting and what to look for. Tip 2: Hunt for and invest in basic vintage pieces that won't lose their appeal for you quickly- a little black dress for example, or a classic cardigan. Tip 3: When you find something you really love, don't let the size on the tag dissuade you from trying it on. Size standards have changed over the years, so always try on a piece you fall in love with at Goodwill before buying it. You may be asking yourself, why go to all the trouble of seeking out vintage or quality secondhand clothing? The answer is in the question- the timeless quality! Many clothing manufacturers just don’t make them like they used to, that’s why shopping at Goodwill stores offers such value. At Goodwill you’re sure to find well-made clothes that suit your style, and you won’t spend a fortune either! Ready to get started shopping for vintage clothing at Goodwill? Check out their New Mexico store locations and hours. About the Author Maggie Grimason is a blog writer living in Albuquerque, NM. She grew up in a family of social servants and teachers in northern Indiana and finds that blogging for Goodwill Industries of New Mexico satisfies creative energies as well as her commitment to ethical living and community service. |
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