One of the benefits of living only a few hours from both the mountains and the beach is the easy access to simple, frugal getaways during the off season or even just a “daycation.”
My husband was supposed to be out of town for a few days and I was offered a condo, so I spontaneously took advantage of time at the beach.
Typically with a beach vacation, there are a lot of extra expenses for the “needed” paraphernalia that elevates the trip to iconic vacation status. Keeping your “eagle eyes” open through thrifting and yard sale season eliminates that last minute purchasing stress which can easily equal hundreds of dollars.
The “perfect” chair is a necessity when spending days at the beach. But who wants to rent them when you can purchase them at your Goodwill vacation destination. Yes, Goodwill met all our beach chair needs, but honestly, most of our family’s beach chairs, folding chairs and sports chairs have come from yard sales for $1-3. Nearly any desired summer “needs” can be found over the course of a few weekend yard sales.
This sun shade was a fun yard sale find for $5. We have gotten lots of beach use out of it, if for nothing else than to house all of our “stuff” and keep it sand free.
Our family’s coolers, beach bags, backpacks, reusable water bottles, boogie boards, toys, rafts, sunglasses, and even our personal towels were all bought at either yard sales or Goodwill for pennies on the dollar. In fact, during yesterday’s yard sale-ing I saw life jackets, floating pool chairs, water skis, a pool ladder, rafts and even a canoe. Trust me, summer fun items can be found with just a little perseverance.
As we return to Myrtle Beach next month for our extended family’s annual “Cheap family vacation…without being cheap” time together, I will bring a huge beach umbrella that I bought for $3 (retails for $49.99), as well as a perfect $1 beach football that I found yesterday.
Most people head to Myrtle for the beach, golfing AND outlet malls. Our condo was within walking distance of the Tanger mall, but I bypassed them on my continued quest to find the best thrift stores in America. I definitely found a GREAT Goodwill. Newly designed, it was a terrific thrifting experience. I sought out the manger to compliment her and she shared that it was their desire to give the customers a retail feel.
Well, she succeeded. Merchandising is key for any kind of sales establishment, and her clothing displays were wonderful (housewares – just typical thrift).
State to state, Goodwills drastically vary in their prices, as well as their “feel”. Expecting this store to have higher price points, I was pleasantly surprised to find their adult clothes were only $3ish.
Myrtle Beach is known as a guys get a way, and the golfers were out in full force. It’s a shame that most of them probably spent$100-200 on their daily golfing attire when they could have stopped here for five minutes and done it up right for $10 total.
Raising children that understand the value of a dollar is important to me, but it’s even better when that comes in the form of quality mother-daughter Frugal Fashionista fun time.
Remember that second “How to Tie a Scarf” video that hasn’t happened yet? Well, it will definitely have a section on using scarves in the hair this summer for a sweet, sassy twist. How cute is that look?
Topping off this outfit, in true head to toe Frugal Fashionista fashion, are these rocking shoes that I bought at a yard sale last week for $1. Trust me, I tried squeezing into them but they just didn’t fit. I mourned that for a moment. 🙂
I know some of you are thinking…eww….Jen, please tell me you don’t get ALL your summer things second hand. Well…yes…the two suits I wore all week were second hand, but look closely at this picture. Do you know how many brand new suits I have found at yard sales and Goodwill with the tags still hanging? Granted, it’s hit or miss for sizes, but since I am not a “wear a different suit every day” kind of girl, all I need is one…or two, and they last me for years. 🙂
I would never dare show you my suit under that “cover up” below, but read ’em and weep.
Brand new, size ten, classic black Land’s End swimsuit with tags…yes, you can imagine I was doing the happy thrifting dance for sure. My friend, Leah, also got her new suit at Goodwill.
One of the things I love to do with my Frugal Fashionista series it to have you think outside the “wardrobe box.” I typically look like a tired, crazed, mom at the pool. I throw on my suit and just wrap any old matching towel around my waste praying it doesn’t fall down.
Well, not any longer. Both Leah and I used cotton dresses as our cover ups. My cover up is supposed to be an elegant, summer dress. I snagged it for $1 at a yard sale last week and knew immediately it would make a perfect cover up. You can’t see the contour of the dress since my black suit is also under it, but it’s so comfortable and classy. For the first time I actually felt fashionable walking along the pool side, and all for $1. Leah’s blue cotton dress is a cute, basic style that you can find at many thrift stores for under $5. So before you go out and spend $40 on a summer cover up, just scan the cotton dresses – they’ll work every time, and you won’t beat the price.
Yes, all my teen guys sporting suits/shorts for $1 each (Go Tarheels…if you missed the team logo. :))
There were three groups of mother-daughters during our Goodwill excursion and we all bought a bunch of brand new flip flops for $1 each. My oldest daughter and I bought the same matching silver ones that Leah has on below.
This Frugal Fashionista outfit topped out at $8.
$3.50 – shirt. $3.50 for the Banana Republic pants that we MADE her buy, and $1 for the flip flops.
With just a change of pants, shoes and layered T-shirt, you can go from a dressier look above to casual below.
As all your summer activities begin to wind up, don’t just rush past those yard sale signs. Take a few minutes and scour some treasures. I can’t wait to begin showing you every week my Trash to Treasure finds, as well as some how to tips that will help you achieve professional yard sale status. 🙂
Posted at: Rhoda’s
Would you mind sharing the address of the Goodwill in Mrytle Beach? We go there every year and I love to hit the thrift stores!
I need to get the exact address since I can’t find it on line. Many of the address I found when I was scouting them out were wrong, but this one you take 17N to Hwy 9 (toward Little Rivers). It’s right on Hwy 9. It took about ten minutes from the Barefoot Landing area.
Thanks for sharing your summer shopping tips.
I have already thought about all of the outlet stores I will be passing up this summer while in Florida just to find a Goodwill to shop at.
Short but funny GW story…my sweet son, who knows I love GW, has our GPS set to moo (yes like a cow moos) everytime we get anywhere near a GW. Can you imagine riding down the interstate and such and hearing a mooing cow in your vehicle? Great way to alert us all to great thrifting opportunities anywhere we are at.
@Amy Kinser, Seriously? I want that GPS! We lost a lot of good thrifting time by searching for locations that were not accurate. Just think what your GPS would have done for my trip. LOL
That is TOO funny!
I really enjoy all of your thrifty ideas. We are from Greensboro with 2 bio and 3 adopted kids. I love yard saling and go all the time but without my oldest daughter to help me with fashion it’s kinda fend for yourself. We homeschool as well and I enjoy your honesty in your blogging and transparency that you’re not perfect. But you are incredibly creative, full of energy and a great example of a wife and mom. God bless you!
I’ve been watching for swimsuits at yard sales/thrift stores for YEARS (like maybe 10?) and have never found in my size that is a style I’d wear! Since many of the last summers had me in a maternity suit (one from a friend, one purchases online) I am going to have to give in and buy one for this year unless something amazing happens in the next month! But I do love cotton dresses for coverups!
oh Abbie – that is a bummer. I have found about one a year that I love, and so that has been all I need, but investing in one is so worth it (especially one that fits well.)
I love shopping thrift stores. My daughter dresses in almost all name brands because of it. One thing about Juniors clothes, they really take good care of them so if they are not brand new, most look like they are!
Awesome and inspiring! Thrift shopping is like treasure hunting to me. Glad you had the chance to get away for a few days.
Sweet!!! As I AM a different swimsuit a day kind of girl I always scope out the suits at thrift stores, clearance racks, etc.
Now I am going to make hubby let me take the BIG rollalong suitcase to Chicago and Indiana … we definately need to hit some of the goodwills up there, much cheaper than here in South Florida … Happy Shopping!!
I love your Goodwill posts! Looks like you guys had fun. I love your kids modeling their thrifty wardrobes. Too cute!!! I look at the clothes almost every time I go into Goodwill or Salvation Army and never seem to find anything. Now if I was a size 6, I’d find all kinds of great stuff. I’ve seen it. Sadly, I’m not! 😀
I do a huge part of my shopping at thrift stores. I can’t afford NOT to! It is such a good deal and you’re right, you can get a lot of new items there. Thanks!
Hey-If you haven’t taken your kids to Ripley’s Aquarium there at Barefoot Landing now might be a good time. We used our homeschool card in Gatlinburg, Tennessee and admission was only $7 per person($19.95 reg price)!! They let us buy passes for the family members with us at that price too. Call to double check their rate but hopefully they will be the same. It might be a good rainy day option. Have fun!
I love your posts like this one!
I am definitely going to look for this Goodwill store when I hit Myrtle Beach in June!
Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thanks for all the goodwilling tips:>) This past weekend was the first time I shopped at goodwill for myself since December. I was giving myself alittle break from the store since I always find to much stuff. Wow was it hard to stay away from. Have a blessed week my fellow frugal shopper.
No fair! We tried to find the Myrtle Beach Goodwill while we were there last October. The desk clerk gave us directions from on-line AND we had a GPS and we never could find it! ugh. Looks like a great store. =) and,
your little one’s scarf is so sweet!
Darn!! I was in Myrtle Beach this weekend too! We could have joined up for a Goodwill shopping trip as well! I will have to check that one out next time I am down there!!
Love this Jen! I am with you on the swimsuits as well. When I find one I LIKE I dont’ care WHERE I find it!!! LOL! I am so excited that garage sale season is just starting out here! I went very quickly on Saturday morning and got a cute antique wicker chest! Can’t wait for more! Also, I just recently found out we have a huge Salvation Army and Goodwill right near each other in Hudson that I have never been too (about 45 mins from me) I’m DYING to take a trip there. Hopefully soon 🙂
Kristi
Jen,
Thank you.
My oldest was in a sour mood today. Between my sweet husband helping to buoy my mood up after DD left for school, and this wonderful post, I am now back to a sunny morning mood.
Jora
Thanks so much for this post. I love Goodwill shopping and visit mine several times a week. We’ll be in Myrtle Beach in June. I’ll be sure to check out this new store.
Great finds! The next time we’re at the beach (we usually go to Wrightsville), we’ll definitely have to check out the Goodwills in the area. Probably a lot cheaper than buying stuff at those gift shops (Wings).
Mary Ellen
Love your coverup dress! 😀 Your daughter looks fabulous in her outfit and sportin’ the scarf!
Oh, how I wish we were close to the beach. 🙁 I sure miss it.
Jen,
Thanks for the article! We are taking our first big vacation this year with our 4 kids – to Hilton Head. I have been thinking lately of what we’ll “need” (maybe I should say want) and how I can get everything cheaply. I am hoping to find most stuff at yard sales this summer. Thanks for your ideas!
@Natalie,
Hilton Head has a ton of thrift stores. We take a morning and go whenever we are there. The goodwill is great and so are several others. If you find one, they have maps for all the others (or at least they did last year) they can give you. We scored big on a swim float, beach reading books, and some summer clothes. Fun! I found this link. I haven’t been to the sponsor, but they next 3 down were all good. http://www.thethriftshopper.com/city/Hilton_Head/SC/1.htm
Jen-
These are such great tips, you totally inspire me! I love the thrift store near us, great finds.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who thrift-shops when on vacation. Two summers ago we took the kids on a trip around Northern Alabama and on the way to the NASA Space Center I spotted a Goodwill Store. My husband let me run in and I found a pair of metallic gold Mossimo flip flops for $1. They had about 40 pairs of new one so I’m guessing it was a store buy-out. Whatever it was, I was thrilled! Thanks for sharing all your tips! (My mother-in-law works for Goodwill as the HR Director. She’d be thrilled too!)
Man, this post makes me want to hit up my local SA! Too bad it’s almost 10 o’clock at night, lol. I’m going thru withdrawls because i haven’t been thrifting in almost 3 weeks!
I never thought about thrifty shopping while on vacation, but this will definitely be a must on the next time. I would love to take some of my friends and just spend a few hours or more searching for some great finds.
I live in South Carolina and we just got back from a quick Myrtle Beach weekend. We are going again in June and will definitely be hitting the thrift stores. Thanks for the tip! Myrtle Beach is a much more affluent area than the one we live in, so I bet we will love the shopping there. We like rich neighborhood yard sales too 🙂
What great deals! And the Land’s End swimsuit – I would have fallen over!
Now, I feel the need to go to the thrift store – too bad they’re all closed this late at night!
Can I just tell you how jealous I am that you are close to the beach and mountains? I am close to corn fields, oh and more corn fields. It looks like you had a blast. Thrifting on vacation…I loves it.
when are you posting your favorite thrift stores edition?? i’m in kc, missouri and i’d love to show off the finds i snatch here. i’ve got some good stores i love to hit and i would say 3/4 of my wardrobe is from thrift stores or garage sales!!!
Great post, Jen. Very fun to read. Kelly
I LOOOOOVE that Goodwill at Myrtle Beach. Hubby and I went to MB for a little romantic getaway right after Christmas. I went out one day by myself and spent FOUR hours there! He called me to make sure I hadn’t got lost! LOL!
Love your blog!
Wow I want to go shopping with you! What great tresures you find. You must be dancing the happy dance all the way to the beach! LOL
Blessing, Vicky
Great post! I just got back from thrifting ove the past few days. It was interesting – I first went to Chico’s, Coldwater Creek, Ann Taylor, and Talbots. I scoped all out – got some very cute sandals for 40% off at Chico’s. I looked at styles, colors, mixing and matching. With those impressions fresh in my mind – I then headed to the thrift stores.
What a abundance of bounty I found!!! Beautiful Chico’s spring sweater, Chico shell’s, Ralph Lauren shells (new with tags), Coldwater Creek solid shells, a gorgeous white sheer top from Chico’s to go over all the shells, and the best buy of the day – a Talbot’s suit (can wear year round – phenomenal buy!). I also got 2 new Ralph Lauren Polo shirts for my sons. If I had purchased from the actual store fronts – hundreds of dollars. But I got all for under $75.00. (or and a beautiful bedspread and shams to boot!).
It’s so fun, isn’t it?
Oh — you are good girl! Have a great vacation!
I was at my local goodwill yesterday and thought of you. There were several tops I found that fit your “frugal fashionista” criteria (interesting details, etc). They even had original tags! I didn’t buy them, though – while they fit the criteria, they didn’t fit me. 🙁
My question is about prices – my Goodwill prices tops at $6.99 and pants at $7.99. I looked through their dresses and they were $10-15 each. Shoes range from $7 to$15. Does that seem high to you? I can buy new clothes for those prices, if I hit a sale or clearance rack. My local Salvation Army was much nicer and had nicer clothes, but was similar in price. What’s a good price to keep in mind for thrift store purchases?
I was at my local goodwill yesterday and thought of you. There were several tops I found that fit your “frugal fashionista” criteria (interesting details, etc). They even had original tags! I didn’t buy them, though – while they fit the criteria, they didn’t fit me. 🙁
That happened to me this week too. I really need a few pairs of pants and I found two that I absolutely loved, as in PERFECT. Nope, not my size either. One too small, one too big.
I think I have found the GW you metioned! I’m heading to Myrtle Beach this week with the family and have been looking through your older posts for frugal ideas on how to stretch the dollars (great stuff, btw!) I can’t wait to be able to get some thrifting in!
Is this the one?
2321 Highway 9 East
Longs, SC 29568