Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries
Serving Greater Cincinnati

Going Thrifting? 5 Thrift Shopping Strategies to Know

If you’re looking to revamp your wardrobe on a budget, thrift shopping is the way to go. At a local Cincinnati thrift store like Ohio Valley Goodwill, you can score incredible finds for a fraction of the cost of traditional retail stores. Part of the fun of thrifting is the ” thrill of the hunt” because you never know what you might find when you’re searching the clothing racks!

To ensure you make the most of your next thrift shopping adventure, follow our insider tips and tricks for savvy thrifting:

female back to school outfit from goodwill

female back to school outfit from goodwill

Keep coming back

Because thrift stores like Ohio Valley Goodwill receive an abundance of donations every single day, we’re able to offer shoppers an ever-changing inventory of clothing, accessories, shoes, and household goods! When you visit frequently, you’ll have a broader selection to choose from because our racks and shelves are restocked constantly with updated items.

What’s in style?

Want to stay on top of the latest style trends? Before you head out the door, it’s a good idea is to check Ohio Valley Goodwill’s Fashion Blog, where we highlight a different trend each week! Having knowledge of your most desired items and making them a thrifting priority will save you a lot of time when you’re shopping. When you have a clear picture in your mind of the specific items you’ve been looking for, you will find that it is much easier to pick them out once you’re in the store. Of course, keep an open mind and always be willing to try something new!

Don’t forget the sales!

It’s hard to beat the budget-friendly prices you’ll find at thrift stores like Ohio Valley Goodwill, but did you know that most of our stores also feature special discounts on our already low prices? It’s true “” at Ohio Valley Goodwill, we publish monthly sales calendars which feature daily discounts and special sales on clothing and other household goods. By checking out our sales calendar in advance, you can plan your shopping trips on the days that allow you to maximize your savings. Who doesn’t love a great discount?

clothing rack at Goodwill store in Florence

Clothing Rack at Goodwill

Shop all sizes

As we all know, sizing can vary greatly by the brand and style of clothing. Because thrift stores like Ohio Valley Goodwill aggregate clothing, accessories, and shoes from a variety of different brands, make sure you look at more than one rack and browse through a wide range of sizes. Using this strategy while thrifting will allow you to maximize your options without limiting you to one single rack. After all, the best thrift store finds often come from the most unexpected places!  

Goodwill graphic with text: Let's make an impact! Goodwill diverts more than 3 billion pounds of clothing and textiles from landfills each year. Thank You!

Let’s Make an Impact

The art of repurposing

One of the best parts about thrifting is the opportunity to repurpose and add your own unique touch to the items you find. Be imaginative, especially when shopping for furniture and other household goods. With a little sanding and spray paint, you can transform a gently used furniture piece into something that looks brand new and totally one-of-a-kind!

Shopping at Ohio Valley Goodwill is thrifting you can feel great about. Why? Because the money you spend at Goodwill helps to support our life-changing mission to provide job training and employment services to individuals with disabilities and our nation’s veterans. Plus, when you choose to purchase gently-used items instead of brand-new, you extend the life cycle of reusable goods and benefit our planet for years to come!

Find your nearest Goodwill retail store and #BringGoodHome today! Thank you for shopping Ohio Valley Goodwill and supporting our 100+ year mission to change lives through the power of work.