JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Emerson Smith loves thrifting and took her thrill to find a good deal to Goodwill of North Florida’s Lakeside store on St. Augustine Road in Jacksonville.
The 12-year-old racked up some clothes she plans to wear as a 7th grader at Julia Landon College Prep Middle School.
“I just looked very thoroughly in the places that will most likely have the good brands,” Smith said. “That’s the shoes, jeans, anything like that.”
She described a few items she considers hitting the jackpot on.
“Honestly, I feel like the jackets and the sweater because I just don’t find many jackets when we do go shopping,” Smith said. “I do have a lot for my sisters, but I do just enjoy getting new things. I really like this orange Nike jacket because I can wear it to schoo,l and I’ve always been complimented about how I am showing my school spirit with the school colors.”
Smith says thrifting allows her to showcase her personality.
“You can just explore your different styles, and you could do whatever you want with it,” Smith said. “You can make whatever outfits you want. Just explore.”
Emerson cruised through the store with her mom, Ashley, who says her daughter has always been frugal.
“I feel like the [tween] years are kind of that hard, trying to figure out who they are as a person [timeframe],” Ashley said. “Giving her the freedom to pick what she likes in those colors, but it is also budgeting. I know I can give her $20, she can buy everything she needs for that entire outfit from shoes to tops to jackets, (and) get her accessories.”
They made out pretty well at the store when they got all of their items rung up at the register.
The Smiths paid $45 for everything with the help of a 20% coupon.
Ashley said their total would have been more than $600 somewhere else.
After tagging along to learn how it works, I put their strategy to the test.
I asked for some help as I shopped with my son, Israel, who is about to start second grade.
“I would go straight to the section that you need to be shopping in,” Ashley suggested. “Not to get overwhelmed by the rest of it. Start with a favorite color.”
Israel showed the Smiths a few shirts he liked, with one being a T-shirt with superheroes. He also found a few pairs of sweatpants.
When our turn came at the register, we racked up three shirts and two pairs of sweatpants for $19.
Now you can try out Emerson and Ashley’s thrifting strategy and enjoy the art and skill of the hunt to save a few bucks.