The best reason to thrift shop

It's no secret on blogland today that it's become a trend to scavenge for thrift finds to fix up and customize to your style at home. I have always loved thrifting, a hobby my Mom and I did together. We would sift through yard sales and thrift shops to find old furniture to refinish and even great clothes. It's become even easier today with online sites such as Craigslist, Freecycle and more.

While the obvious reason to buy junk to most is to save money, it's so important today to incorporate this into the effort to go green and improve our environment!

 See the story on this Pottery Barn sofa that could have ended up in the trash...

Many people still think thrifting is for "poor people" and feel ashamed to go into a Goodwill. Every time I am in a thrift store I look around and imagine all of this stuff in a landfill. Add all of the stuff in every other Goodwill or any other thrift store for that matter, added on top of all of the actual garbage and items not recycled! Reduce, Reuse, Recycle has to become a way of life. Unfortunately in today's environmental state this can no longer be simply a liberal, hibby thing to do. It's a way of life people. 

Recycling is more than throwing your drink cans in the recycle bin. Think beyond the recycle bin. 

Baby food jars turned magnetic spice jars at Little Apartment on the Prairie

I recently watched this video The Story of Stuff. It has great information on the intentional and taught consumerism attitude that is supposed to save our economy and the vicious cycle it's spinning us in. While I'm not sure of the accuracy of all facts in this video, it does have invaluable information. Also check out their other stories; The Story of Bottled Water and The Story of Cap and Trade.

Anything can be re-purposed! How cute is this boot from the "junk queen" from Funky Junk Interiors?

Also from Funky Junk, a door turned window seat.

My own thrift find from the Habitat Restore- refinished front door.

My twin bed framed turned chalk board. $2 from Goodwill.

There are so many inspiring finds I read daily where items are reused. Sometimes you can find items brand new on Craigslist instead of contributing to more items being manufactured at the stores. While yes, someone else may have purchased this item on Craigslist eventually and would not necessarily end up in a land fill, why not do your part in stimulating the process? Not to mention the extra cash in your pocket....