Steve Clark

When thinking about waste reduction and recycling, most people picture cans, bottles, and a compost pile, but not what’s inside their closet. However, clothing is a big contributor to the trash bin and being conscious about your wardrobe is another important aspect of a lower-waste lifestyle. Here are some steps to reduce your impact. Care for the clothes you have Washing and drying correctly goes a long way to extend the life of clothing. You may recall learning to separate light clothing from darker colors and when to use hot or cold water.  After washing, skip the hot dryer and choose to line-dry; it can help you avoid shrinking that new sweater or pair of wool socks while saving electricity. Next, learn some basic mending skills to sew on a new button, redo a hem, or patch a hole when something needs a fix.  When your clothes are past their prime If you’re like most people, you have clothing in your household that goes unworn. Maybe your style changed, your kids grew, or y...

It’s that time of year. Now that warmer weather has finally arrived, so too has the desire to clean and declutter. But this year isn’t like every other year. With more people at home and stores being closed for the moment, it will take a little more planning to prepare, organize and store your items for when resellers reopen and can resume taking donations. We’re here to help, with these 7 steps to help organize your donations while staying home. By following these steps, you'll clean your crowded house, assist donation centers in managing the flow of merchandise, and protect the environment by keeping usable items out of the trash. 1. Determine what to donate First things first: You need to decide what you can part with, and what you can’t. Need a little inspiration or just aren’t sure where to start? First, think seasonally. Now might not be the best time to donate a snowsuit, but it’s a great time to part with your old golf clubs. Your kids’ old flippers and goggles? Bid them go...

When it comes to shopping for things like clothes, toys, furniture and more, oftentimes and unfortunately, the go-to tends to be buying them new. The convenience of running out to a big-box store and picking up these items can be tempting. But at what cost? Not only does buying new typically cost you more money, but the environment is also paying a high price to produce those new items. If you’re new to buying used and are unsure if it’s right for you, we break down the benefits of buying secondhand here. 1. Saving money One of the most obvious and well-known benefits of buying secondhand is the cost savings. You can often find secondhand goods up to 50% cheaper than you could if you were buying new. When you consider that Americans spend over a trillion dollars annually on nonessential goods, those savings can add up. Whether you’re shopping for clothes, furniture, musical instruments, or most anything, you’ll be able to find quality items at lower prices than if you bought t...

There are two major reasons I like going shopping thrift stores. First, I love saving money. Budget decorating is my jam so anytime I can save a little cash I’m up for it. The other reason why I love shopping at thrift stores is because of the hunt. Finding a new (to you) treasure can be so fun. Some of my most unique and most loved decorative items in my home are thrift store finds and I can’t help but want to share with you my favorite things you should buy at the thrift stores in Panama City Beach,FL . While treasures can be found at thrift stores, you have to weed through a lot of junk. That being said, there are 10 things that I go to thrift stores in search of: 1. FURNITURE Furniture at thrift stores is typically marked down significantly and you can get a pretty excellent deal on pieces. Fixer upper pieces of furniture that you plan to paint or hack are especially great to buy at thrift stores. It’s not all used stuff all the time. I’ve seen brand new pieces of furniture, with t...

I love shopping at Haven House, one of the best thrift store in Panama City Beach, FL . In fact, I really like scouring all thrift stores, flea markets, and yard sales too for unique finds. I find these unassuming second-hand stores are a great way to save a ton of money on high-quality items.  Thrift store shopping takes some time, but you can find some unique, and functional items for your home. I have a few go-to items I am always scouting out at thrift shops, I love to shop for Timeless Home Decor Items and kitchen items and I thought I would share my favorite Kitchen Thrift Shop Finds with you. Here are the kitchen items you should be buying at thrift stores or other second-hand outlets for dirt cheap, rather than buying new. Cast Iron Skillets Cast iron skillets can last decades if properly cared for, but you will most likely find a gem in the rough at thrift shops. Surface rust appears when cast iron is neglected or moisture is left to sit ...

Do you feel happy when you hear the word “shopping”? The same is true for many people, who feel good when they buy something and treat themselves. With how hard the world is right now, it has easily become a simple joy and escape almost every time they go shopping. There is a sense of fulfillment every time you get to look around and pick what you like among different objects, whether these are clothes, accessories, electronics, and anything else. While most people think curtailing their spending during the pandemic is the best course of action, the truth is there are actually some helpful benefits that you can get from thrift store shopping, even now. Benefits of Thrift Shopping: COVID-19 Edition During ordinary times, people flock to thrift stores for great finds, from their everyday outfits to their home furniture. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought a huge change in the way people live their lives. Because of this, the reasons people do thrift store shopping have also change...

A World Without Thrifting If you told me at the start of 2020 that I would go more than a month without setting foot in a thrift store, I would not have believed you. But here we are. Not just me, but all of us around the world. Despite us collectively experiencing the effects of a worldwide pandemic that has changed everything, it hasn’t changed the spirit and resilience of thrifters. I took the opportunity at the beginning on the year to poll my Instagram followers on their thoughts regarding thrifting. My goal was to use the information to shape future collaborations I was involved with. Little did I know that that information would be a window into our thrifting history and the way things will never be the same again. With our new normal looming before us, I decided to once again reach out to my Instagram followers and get their insight on the future of thrift. Why We Thrift To say that thrifting is “just a way to shop for pre-owned goods” would be an understatement. Thrifting is s...