Thrift-store shopping cheap, easy and well worth the effort

The holidays gave folks extra time on their hands, but with all the gift buying, many were left with dismal funds to enjoy their time off. That's why you may want to do some thrift-store shopping.

From Goodwill's and Salvation Army's, to Community Thrift and various other similar outlets throughout the Lowcountry, thrift-store shopping is most fun because it is fairly painless, economically. I have numerous stellar shirts, pants, jackets and more -- some of it even designer -- purchased for next to nothing.

They key to finding good stuff is persistence. Like most men, I don't like to spend a lot of time shopping, but there are a number of thrift stores I can whisk through in less than 15 minutes, already knowing the areas in which to find my size, and which stores are more likely to have particular items.

For example, for dress shirts, any of the area Goodwill or Community thrift stores are usually a good bet. For jackets, particularly leather, the Children's Cancer Society Thrift on Savannah Highway has the best selection in town. Need furniture? Check out the Salvation Army Thrift Store on Dorchester Road.

By their nature, thrift stores have a high stock turnover, and if you can find the time to stop briefly by particular stores perhaps once or twice a week, your chances of snagging the good stuff first increases greatly. For years, I've usually hit the stores that already fit into my weekly schedule geographically, and the reward for my multiple stops? An extensive quality wardrobe that I purchased for next to nothing. Attending a conference in Baltimore recently, I wore what I consider my best suit and received multiple compliments. I didn't bother to tell anyone that it was purchased at a Goodwill in Goose Creek, S.C., for $10.

And in my experience, which could be yours as well, thrift-store shopping is cheap, easy and well worth the effort.

Some local stores

--Hip Thrift, 761 Folly Road, next to Huff's Seafood.

--Salvation Army, 4248 Dorchester Road.

--Children's Cancer Society, 835 Savannah Highway.

--Goodwill Industries, 6607 Rivers Ave. (next to Carey Hilliard's) and 5461 Rivers Ave. (the Outlet, "rummage-style" location).

--Community Thrift Store, 5300 Rivers Ave., Ste. 2 (right off the Mark Clark Expressway), North Charleston; 10050 Dorchester Road, Summerville.