Sometimes I think about how Goodwill is the most very perfect location for "thing watching." (Like "people watching" for those who wish to remain uncreepy.) There's just so much wonderful and unexpected stuff! Like targeted savings banks. Remember these? I may have to put together a new grid, as there are now two new additions....
It's time again to for Goodwill, Badwill Questionable-will, where I marvel at the wealth of oddity and treasure provided by my local Goodwill thrift shops. First up is a brand new exception to my buy used exception list, which will now read: Underwear, socks and bras. Personal care items. Perishables. Harmonicas. Hookah pipe tubing. Because a...
Although I had a number of tasks on my to-do list yesterday, I was able to nip into a couple of thrift shops on my way to Winco. (Hello, $10-off $50 coupon!) I've been keeping an eye out for a low dresser for awhile, as I want to reconfigure our bedroom for better feng shui...
It's time again for Goodwill, Badwill Questionable-will, where I share some of the rather spectacular things I come across during my thrifting adventures. First up is a very special treat for you. Why? Because it combines steampunk with snails, clocks and monkeys. Plus, it's priced at $19.99, which I would expect from a priceless antique, but this...
It's time again for Goodwill, Badwill Questionable-will, where I share some of the rather spectacular things I come across during my thrifting adventures. Remember how I said that every Goodwill has a painted Mrs Butterworth bottle? (HERE and HERE) I was not kidding. I really like how this one is holding an artfully painted cat....
Yesterday, being President's Day, meant both no school and no responsibilities. And even better, it meant a day for thrifting with my mother and teenage sons. We hit up the Goodwill, Salvation Army and Deseret Industries thrift shops. But of course, we first drove through the great banh-mi Vietnamese sandwich restaurant for sustenance. Because at...
You know I like to economize by batching my errands, so it would have been downright irresponsible of me to not stop into the main Goodwill after my visit with John and Sherry from Young House Love. Who me, rationalize? Never! As always, the Goodwill was full of 99% trash and 1% treasure. Here, see...
As is often the case, I found myself at the main Goodwill the other day. I had a load of stuff to donate, (my husband's old work uniforms plus a pile of shoes) so I decided to treat myself to a little look-see through the store. (It may seem like thrifting is a daily habit for me,...
Many Non-Consumer Advocate readers assume that the reason why I'm able to find so many great things at Goodwill is because Portland, Oregon thrift stores are magically superior. Yeah, I wish. I'll let you see for yourself. Here are a few photos from a recent trip: It's a lamp styled like ancient cave paintings. And...
1) This thrifted Fiestaware mug handle broke cleanly off as I was lifting it the other day, so I grabbed my super glue and got into repair mode. I rolled up a napkin to hold it in place and taped the handle to stabilize it while it dried. Kind of a weird way for it...
I drove across town to pick up an $85 West Elm loveseat that my kid wanted for their minuscule studio apartment. They'd held off from this purchase until the coffee table sold, and began scouring Facebook Marketplace the moment the money hit their account. It's very handy to have a mother who still drives her...
I drove past another curbside stack of flowerpots and literally turned the car around to investigate. Most of the pots were of the plastic variety, but I chose a stoneware one which washed up beautifully. I was briefly tempted by the big terra cotta pots, but I don't really have a spot for them and...
I've been wanting to put together a fresh "Goodwill, Bad-will, Questionable-will" blog post, and what better day to do so than National Thrift Shop Day? (I know this sounds like I made it up, but I didn't. I promise.) I haven't been doing as much thrifting as last year, but I'm starting to venture out...
I sold a vintage Descoware saucepan on eBay that I'd picked up at Goodwill awhile back. I bought it for $6.99 and sold it for $39.99, so that's a nice chunk of free money. I even arranged for a free porch pickup through USPS to save an errand to the post office. Of course, I packed...
My sister and I spent yesterday running errands, which included dropping off a few donations at the New Rochelle Goodwill. (She lives in The Bronx, so it's easier to drive north to Westchester county than it is to drive south into Manhattan.) I found lots of great things to photograph for a future "Goodwill, Badwill,...
I'm a big proponent of savings, and apparently I'm not the only one. However, judging by the number of targeted savings banks that line the shelves of every thrift shop, few people actually want to save their money in a tacky novelty crock. I've written about them HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE. Whether it's for a shopping spree...
I've written here and there about a midcentury Lane end table that I thrifted while my sister was visiting this summer. I bought it on a day that we dedicated to exploring Portland's suburban Goodwill shops. I'd heard for years that these locations were worth the drive, but I'd never made the effort before to investigate whether...
I sanded and stained my thrifted midcentury Lane end table from a few weeks ago. I'd love to keep it, but it doesn't really fit with our 1914 house. I'll photograph it for Craigslist later on today, but if it takes awhile to sell? That's fine, as I enjoy looking at it. I've been resurrecting my habit of daily...
My husband and I drove down to Salem, Oregon for the governor's volunteer awards luncheon. We chose the Prius over the minivan and gave a ride to two fellow volunteers from The Timber's Army. Our meal was free, and the company terrific. (It turns out that the woman we gave a ride to used to work with my...
I started writing the blog on May 20th, 2008 with a post titled Welcome to The Non-Consumer Advocate. Explaining that: "Anyone knows how to live well in good times - lots of delicious dinners out, sumptuous presents for all, great clothes and furnishings. The art is to know how to live well whether your income is...
It's time again for Five Frugal Things! My sons' morning soccer game was only a mile or so from the house. My husband, (the coach) needed to drive, as he had all the equipment, but I took my time showering, drinking tea, etc. and then walked the distance. Normally soccer games are waaay across town,...
It's time again for Non-Consumer Mish-mash, where I write a little bit about this and a little bit about that. Follow Me on Instagram My son and I fly out to New York City tomorrow and we won't be back in Portland until next Monday. I'll bring my laptop, but I'm not sure how much...
My son and I are once again on the road, as we check out college choices. This time we're in Eugene, Oregon to tour The University of Oregon and take advantage of all the deliciousness that this great state has to offer. (Our last college tour was to Walla Walla, Washington where Whitman College and...
I get occasional flak for the apparent frequency of my thrift shopping. "How can you call yourself a Non-Consumer if you're constantly shopping?" But there is a method to my madness. I'm constantly keeping an eye out for certain objects. This may be for gift giving, (such as this adorable miniaturized LL Bean tote bag from...
It's time again for Non-Consumer Mish-Mash, where I write a little bit about this and a little but about that. Non-Consumer Media Saturation Although I've given tons of interviews over the years, they always seem to come in fits and spurts. This moment in time is no exception. I currently have an interview in the...
It's Monday, which means it's time for Goal of The Week! A new weekly segment where Non-Consumer Advocate readers set and then reach small attainable goals. "Not a soccer goal, but a personal goal. A single do-able, not overwhelming goal. A concrete goal. A reachable goal. A realistic goal." So no huge vague goals like "organize the house" or...
I hosted a neighborhood barbecue potluck at my house yesterday. I made my share from scratch which included curry lime chicken satay sticks, peanut sauce, fruit salad, hummus and kale pesto on crostini. I did overspend on Trader Joe's beer and wine, but we'll have it for awhile as leftovers. My recent night of theater with...
It's time again for Non-Consumer Mish-Mash, where I write a little bit about this and a little bit about that. Chair Addiction Regular readers may have noticed that I have a teensy-weensy touch of a chair obsession. I buy them, I sell them, I fix them up and I gaze lovingly at them. Hello, lover...
When Winco was selling two-pound packages of strawberries for $1.48, I made sure to buy the limit of four. I then whipped up a quickie batch of freezer jam. I don't know about you, but I always run out of homemade jam sooner than I think I will. Slurp, yum, urp. I used a set of a...
Young House Love put up a Macklemore inspired thrift shop challenge, where they asked readers to photograph themselves finding various Macklemore Thrift Shop items in their local thrift shops. Of course I was in. Like so: And also: And for those of you who want to watch a cleaned up version of the song, I...
It's time for another Non-Consumer Photo Essay, which today features stuff I didn't buy, stuff I did buy and an rather fantastic chair makeover. First off I have another goofy savings bank, this time for a "Retirement Fund." I don't know about you, but I'm kind of hoping that I'll have more money than will fit...
It's time for another Non-Consumer Photo Essay, as summer is a time of visual interest and low attention span. The hydrangeas are finally in full bloom: Which means that my new Frankoma pitcher earns her keep: Sun tea is in frequent rotation, which allows to me to use up some of the odd tea...