Thrifty Threads

A Compact-y outfit is anything used or recycled, from the Goodwill, a thrift store, or a consignment shop.

I’m thrilled to present the very first male model for the series. Alan is a tradesman tile setter who competes in triathlons and plays in an adult soccer league. It’s actually his wife Meg who reads this blog and sent in the photo. But it was Alan who found this Nike dri-fit shirt at the Goodwill for $3.99. Quite a bargain, considering that kind of thing usually goes for $40-$50 retail. Alan says he LOVES a good find because he’s a tightwad by nature. He also says “I will dumpster dive in a heartbeat!”

Well, he didn’t need to do that to score this shirt, he just had to accompany his wife and daughter to the Goodwill. And now he’s got a shirt perfect for all his athletic activities for a fraction of the cost he’d pay new. Alan and Meg raised their children using Amy Dacyczyn’s The Tightwad Gazette as their guide. Alan makes homemade maple syrup and pancakes from scratch, and built the chicken coop for their 100 hens (!) mostly from recycled materials. Meg has recently started a blog called My Nifty Thrifty Life where she posts recipes, photos of quilts she makes, and much more. Check it out.

Thanks Alan for letting me post your photo. I wouldn’t call you a tightwad, I’d call you very smart. And I think a lot of people would agree. So come on readers, it’s your turn! Put on your fabulous finds, take a photo and send it to me. My email address can be found on my profile page. It’s so fun to see the great clothes people are finding at their local Goodwill these days. And click here if you want to check out previous installments of Thrifty Threads.

Do you shop at the Goodwill? What’s your best thrift store score? Tell us about your secondhand shopping adventures in the Comments section. And send in those photos!

UPDATE: I know I asked for your comments about the Goodwill, but let’s show Alan some love! He bought a shirt that costs $40 or $50 at REI or Patagonia for less than 4 bucks, and he looks hot in it! Plus he has the guts to model in a photo! Thanks Alan! The whole point of this segment is to show what great clothes people are finding at the Goodwill and other thrift stores, and how if we change our attitude about the Goodwill we can start finding great stuff ourselves. Look back at previous segments of Thrifty Threads for more examples of smart people wearing stylish clothes that they got for a song.