I GREW UP SHOPPING for clothes from the sales racks at JC Penney. Rarely, if ever, was I allowed to buy anything from the full price rack. So why bother to look.
Because I was the oldest girl in the family, I got the new clothes, which were then passed down to my ungrateful sister. I use that adjective because Lanae didn’t especially appreciate my fashion taste. She was right. My indecisiveness often led to bad choices.
By my middle school years, I learned to sew. And from then on, I stitched most of my apparel. I didn’t mind. I loved selecting patterns and fabrics and creating one-of-a-kind clothing.
Still, mostly, it was all about saving money. And money was tight in our poor farm family of six kids.
I found this vintage Minnesota beverage tray at the recent Rice County Steam & Gas Engines Flea Market. All other items featured in this post were found at the same venue.
With that background, you can understand my delight in seeking out and scoring bargains. Thrift stores, yard and garage sales, and flea markets are my favorite shopping venues. Not only can I find merchandise at affordable prices, but I typically discover something few others own.
At the same vendor where I purchased the tray, I found this floral etched and painted box. If I remember correctly, this is “hobo art.” I got the box and the tray for $12. These may be given as gifts; I haven’t decided.
I’ve passed this love of bargain shopping onto my three offspring. My 19-year-old college intern son, attempting to furnish his first apartment on a budget, recently negotiated the purchase of a leather couch for $25 at a Goodwill store in Rochester.
From another vendor I bought this Fire King bowl and handstitched tablecloth trimmed with rick-rack. Total cost: $5.
Last week his sister, a Spanish medical interpreter in northeastern Wisconsin, shopped a half-price sale at an Appleton thrift store and purchased an easy chair for $24. A mint condition coffee table found next to a dumpster at her apartment complex cost her nothing.
The oldest daughter, who lives in Minneapolis, also sometimes shops at second-hand stores and even bought her bridal gown for her upcoming wedding at a vintage bridal shop.
Yes, I’m proud of my kids and their thrifty buying habits. Not only do they save money, but they recycle what others have cast off or can no longer use.
This kitschy art is so ugly it’s cute, if that makes sense. For 75 cents, it was mine. My husband just shook his head, but then hung it on our backyard fence anyway, per my request.
My own house is furnished with lots of second-hand furniture, lamps, art, kitchenware, etc. I don’t need new. Old works for me, my tastes and my budget. How about you?
I had the perfect spot in mind when I bought that frog art.
© Copyright 2013 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Perhaps it is because our second-hand markets are so small, but I haven’t found many things to measure up to your finds! I noticed on-line garage sale shopping and Facebook swaps are popular in this community.
Through my nearly three decades of thrift shopping, I’ve found some great stuff at bargain prices. I started shopping this way initially to outfit a nursery and then the baby and then the growing child. Those first years were focused mostly on getting clothes, toys, books, etc., for our three children. Then, when I volunteered at the kids’ school library, I shopped for used books to stock library shelves. Now I hunt for treasures mostly, for myself or to give as gifts. Nearly all of the art hanging in my home is original from thrift stores or garage/yard sales.
I used to go to flea markets once in a while, but got out of the habit thanks to a generally busy life focused more on kids’ schedules than my own. But you’ve reminded me how lovely it is to look for unique things, talk to the people selling them, and be thrifty all at once (some of that from your earlier posts). What’s not to like? I should show this post to my daughter as she heads off to college. Love how your kids scored their furniture! And with summer sort of almost here, it’s definitely a great time to rekindle flea market fun.
Oh, yes, this is a great time for your daughter to find stuff at bargain prices for college. Garage/yard sales abound.
I had a tough time walking away from some of the furniture I saw at the flea market. I kind of have this thing for vintage dressers/chest of drawers…and old mirrors, vintage tablecloths, old drinking glasses, aged mixing bowls…
Many times I just have to walk away, because I really do not need more.
LOVE your finds!!! Perfect perfect perfect!!!! There are so many great places to find treasures and I love your recent buys!!!
I’m happy with my finds and, believe me, I could have bought way more. Restraint.
This past couple of weeks the students at UWL (LaCrosse) have cleaned out their student apts and usually they just dump their perfectly good, hardly used, overflow (stuff that won’t fit in their vehicles) on the curb for pick-up. Now, the Salvation Army has a large truck parked at various spots to immediately get those items!! Brilliant! Have a great weekend!!! Hugs….
Oh, yes, I remember this dumping of stuff at both Winona State and UWL, colleges attended by my two daughters. I did not see the same at North Dakota State. Great idea for the Salvation Army to reclaim these items. I really dislike seeing perfectly good items going to waste. Brilliant, indeed.
I love that you are a bargain hunter too – do not care to pay full price if I can help it:) Loving your finds – that box is so darling! Happy Weekend
Yes, I especially love the box, too. Just cannot decide whether to keep it or gift it to a certain person who really likes wooden boxes.
Tough decision indeed – I know you will sort it out in the end!
Ok, it’s like you and I are on the same wavelength! Wgtn has a “garage” sale every May- put on by The Achievement Center, a place for people with special needs to work, and I bought a FIREKING WHITE BOWL there – two, actually, last week and one looks identical to yours! 🙂 Love that wooden box you got, too.
In recent years I’ve developed an appreciation for Fire King, probably because my mom had Fire King. Great minds think (shop) alike. What can I say?
Love the frog art Audrey, I think the backyard fence is the perfect place for it, and I really like that box…so unique! Today my daughter scored big at garage sales. A 5 drawer dresser for $10, Disney princess scooter(looks brand new) for $10, a toddler slide for $5, and clothing for the kids for next to nothing. My oldest son has furnished most of his house with things he’s bought second hand, It’s so cool to see our kids spend their money wisely isn’t it. My youngest’s favorite clothing store is “savers”. Thanks for sharing your treasures 🙂
Kudos to Brianna for scoring those great finds today. I’m impressed. Garage saling is a wonderful way to save money. Sounds like your oldest son also is a savvy shopper. Yes, I am happy to see all of my “kids” shopping second-hand. Caleb mentioned wanting to stop at the Savers in Rochester when we drove past it on the couch shopping adventure. We didn’t have time on that day. So, next trip.
Love your “finds”! Thrift stores, rummage sales and sales racks are the best!
Yes, they are fellow Vestan.
I was the 3rd girl, and received my sister’s hand me downs also. And we weren’t the same size! I remember one time prying the straps off of sandals and cutting them down to fit my feet! I grew up with a household on a tight budget, and have retained those frugal ways all my life.
I worked at a fancy department store in Rochester, out of high school. A girl I worked with dressed so chic–and her clothes came mostly from The Salvation Army! She turned the frugal into cool for me!
Love your treasures and your garden frog art is perfect on your fence–and I’m in love with your lush ferns!
Sounds like you and I had similar upbringings and continue with the lessons learned as children. Thank you for sharing that story about the chic co-worker. That is a fabulous story from which we can all learn.
The frog garden art was not meant for outdoors, I’m sure. But I thought it the perfect spot outside. Ferns simply thrive in that shady corner.
Stacey, I’ve emailed you about the apartment situation in Rochester, so please check. If Emily is still interested…
A friend was bemoaning the fact the flea markets were zones out of existence in Minneapolis. You’ve provided a great incentive for us to start taking some road trips. Your finds were wonderful and I have a soft spot for anything with violets on it, so I especially loved your beverage tray. May you find equally wonderful treasures in all of your flea market trips this summer.
Oh, yes, you need to venture out of the Cities… The Rice County Historical Society in Faribault is holding a Flea Market from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 22, rain or shine, at the museum, 1814 NW Second Avenue. I think this is a first-ever flea market here, so I can’t vouch for its quality.
Plan a day trip to Faribault. Just down the road from the museum, across the river, you can visit the Faribault Woolen Mills retail store. Well worth a stop.
Then continue on Second Avenue toward the downtown. If you arrive in the morning, take in the Farmers Market at Central Park along Second Avenue. If historic buildings interest you, don’t miss the beautiful Cathedral of Our Merciful Saviour across the street from Central Park. There are also many historic buildings on the east side of town, including the beautiful campus of Shattuck-St. Mary’s School. Buckham Memorial Library at the south end of Central is a must-see for its architecture, stained glass windows and Greek murals.
Absolutely check out our historic downtown with homegrown antique and gift shops, The Cheese Cave (which sells bleu cheeses made right here in Faribault), The Paradise Center for the Arts (theatre/art gallery/gift shop), The Sweet Spot ice cream and candy shop, Burkhartzmeyer Shoes (old-fashioned shoe store) and much more. Don’t miss Peterson Art Furniture a block off Central on the corner of Fourth Street N.E. and First Avenue N.E. (antiques/architectural salvage/etc.)
There are numerous home-grown restaurants in town serving everything from American to Italian, Mexican, Asian, Somali and beyond.
There, Carstens, have I sold you on a visit to Faribault?
I like the box. HINT HINT HINT
your loving sister who had better taste in clothes
Oh, I knew you would love that box.