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Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Thrifting in Tuscaloosa: Financial Lessons

Mr FS and I had sooooo much fun visiting Miss Em. As per our tradition, we went to Twice as Nice, an excellent consignment store. I can't believe how nice the stuff is, ranging from pretty nice up to a Vera Wang wedding gown that originally sold for $22,000. (Note to Miss Em: please do not buy such an expensive dress for a one-day event.) There are also very posh homegoods and even furniture there: the shop is pretty much the only game in town.

As is my wont, I had a chat with the owner. She told me that she has 12.000 consignors, though I don't suppose all are active. I told her about the book The Millionaire Next Door, which suggests that auctioneers are often secret millionaires, because they see how much value consumer goods lose. The owner agreed. She said, People think we're like Sanford and Son, but they should see what I have in my house. Interestingly, hers was a soft sell. I was swooning over some candle sconces (my latest desire). She said, Oh, I'll get more in sooner or later. I always do.

So not only does the owner have access to all sorts of great stuff (and she pays only 1/2 of the already low price), but she knows there's no need to rush: something just as nice or nicer will always show up.

Miss Em and I were rather like girls gone wild and we bought way too much. So, as penance, and to get the closets back in shape, I am filling boxes with my no-longer-desired clothing. Miss Em will consign them after she comes for a visit next week. I'm hoping we'll make enough money to pay for what we bought PLUS the sconces.

I'm getting the feng shui whoooosh of energy that comes with de-cluttering.

3 comments:

Shelley said...

One of the wealthy people in this neck of the woods runs a tip yard. I've lost some of my American terms now, would that be that he supplies dumpsters? Anyhow, he manages to recycle a huge amount of what people throw away - mainly building materials in his case, but loads of other things as well. The law here says that once something is in the dumpster, it belongs to him (but people take things out anyhow). Many people live well on what others throw away. Strange comment, isn't it?

Frugal Scholar said...

@Shelley--Would love to see the treasures he uncovers!

Duchesse said...

Frugal, you little tease! What did you get? What did Miss Em get? Come on, why do you think they put cameras in phones?