Steve Clark

  As the major end of the annual holidays comes to a close, we now find ourselves with an all-too-common problem—figuring out what to do with all those holiday decorations you so lovingly set up. The cleanup can be such a hassle that it’s common to see holiday decorations remain up all throughout the winter. The best way to get rid of decorations you don’t need is by donating them to your local thrift shop in Destin FL. Holiday Lights No matter what holiday you celebrate, putting up lights is a time-honored tradition of the season. When it’s time to get them down however, that’s when you have the annoying job of figuring out what to do with them. You can donate those lights to many secondhand stores, as people use them for lighting purposes outside of holidays. Just make sure there aren’t any frayed wires or blown out bulbs. Plastic Yard Decorations The plastic in these kinds of decorations can make recycling them quite a chore. Instead, consider donating them. As ...

  It doesn’t matter if you wear $30 jeans or carry a $200 handbag. If you’re reading this, you probably wish you’d spent a little less on clothes and accessories. 1. Start by getting cash for your old duds Before you even think about buying new clothes, you need to empty your closet and fill your wallet. I’m talking about getting rid of the outfit you bought for the special occasion that happened three years ago, letting go of the jeans you got in anticipation of the weight loss that never happened and saying goodbye to the items leftover from your punk phase, which unfortunately did happen. Anything that hasn’t graced your body in the last year should head out the door. Where to, you ask? My vote is the local consignment shop, assuming your clothes are in good condition and don’t look like something Austin Powers would try to save the world in. If the consignment shop won’t take them, you could try holding a garage sale. And if that doesn’t work, you could give ...

  In the hierarchy of frugal strategies, buying secondhand from thrift shops in Destin, FL has always been one of my favorites. I love the idea of dodging depreciation on everything from furniture to sweaters, and dishes to tools. So, how can you buy better and smarter inside that bastion of frugality, the humble thrift store? It’s half art and half sport — and with the right frame of mind, you can master the game. After about a quarter-century of avid thrifting — with the bargains prove it — here are my best strategies to land sweeter deals at any thrift shop: 1. Understand that each store is unique Every secondhand store has its own distinct personality. Some seem to get better furniture, others pull in a better selection of books. Respect and capitalize on the vibe of each store and use it to inform your shopping strategy. 2. Go with the flow Understanding your local thrift and secondhand market is key to scoring the best items before anyone else. On which days of...

  One of the best ways to make the most of your money is to head to the thrift store in Destin, FL and see what’s available. But just because something is cheap, that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to buy it. There are some things you should avoid at thrift stores. I asked a few consumer advocates and frugal experts to weigh in on when it’s worth it to pay a little more. They consider the following items among those you should avoid buying from secondhand stores. 1. Vintage painted items “I shop at thrift stores for probably 50% of my stuff, so I’ve learned many tricks of the trade,” says Dustyn Ferguson, a blogger at frugal website Dime Will Tell. He points out that old painted items — such as vintage dishware — can contain lead and contaminate whatever you’re eating. “If you do buy, always test for lead,” Ferguson recommends. 2. Mattresses This is the ultimate thrift store no-no. Just about every expert says buying a mattress at a thrift store is a terrible idea. I...

  It’s likely that over the course of the last few months, you’ve spent more time than usual at home. For me, this unexpected time indoors created a need to detox the material items in my life. The piles of items that had been sitting in each room for years had never bothered me, until I was forced to spend most of the hours in my day staring at them. It was kind of a wake-up call to downsize, and because I had the time to do it now, I did. I found that when I downsized my material items, I could better appreciate the items I own that are important to me. I dedicated the hours I might have normally spent out to eat with friends or at a yoga class in the city going through boxes and bags of clothes, kitchenware and random odds and ends that I’d forgotten I’d even owned. To say the least, there were certainly a few surprises. I found a photo album of pictures from my grandparents’ wedding in Italy — an album my grandfather had likely brought with him when my grandmo...

  As we approach Valentine’s Day, here are seven ideas of things to lovingly make for that special someone—even if that special someone is you! There is something magical that happens in us when we take even a moment to create something. As Psychologist & Harvard Professor Howard Gardner once said, “Creativity begins with an affinity for something.  It’s like falling in love.” Rock Star Lenny Kravitz also has his take on it when he said, “Love, creativity, and opportunity is in the air. Take it in and do your thing.” So for Valentine’s this year, do your thing by showing the ones you care about some of your unique expressions of love and creativity. While I am all about flowers and chocolates for presents for your significant other, these gifts will be appreciated and remembered well after the holiday has come and gone. And all these DIY projects show some love for Mother Earth too, because you are reusing, repurposing and rethinking items that may have ende...

  On the East Coast, the nights have started getting colder, the air becoming crisper as the color of the foliage begins to change and flutter to the ground. It’s clear that Autumn is coming — the passing of Labor Day putting an end to frequent weekend trips to the beach and the wearing of white pants, and I want my home to be prepared as sweater season starts to kick in! Now that I’m spending most of my time in my apartment, it’s important to me to have cozy nooks where I can snuggle under a blanket and read, write, or simply relax with a mug of herbal tea. As I now work from home and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future, I’ve been trying to tackle the difficult task of keeping my work and “fun” lives separate, working in a different corner than I relax in. This article shares more tips on creating a productive workspace with items that won’t break the bank, but will help you create this separation as well! As you begin to welcome fall into your home by ...

  One trend I’ve been seeing A LOT of going into this new year is acid washing! As we know, fashion history always repeats itself and this trend is no exception. I am seeing it in retail stores, online shops and boutiques! While I am loving this trend, my thrifty self is not loving the price tag — enter DIY acid wash! It is very inexpensive to do, it just takes a few items and a bit of patience! Items you will need for this project: A spray bottle Either a tarp, a trash bag, or, if the weather is nice, a sidewalk! Bleach Your acid-washing items of c hoice; t-shirts, jeans and sweatshirts (Tip: Darker, deeper colors work best!) I headed to a few local Goodwill locations and grabbed some vintage tees and sweatshirts, ranging from 1.99-3.99! I was able to snag all my needed supplies from our local dollar store to make this project very budget-friendly. Steps Lay out your garment and start “scrunching” the sides towards the middle to make a ball. This will give you that ra...

I think it ’ s safe to say that, when I get dressed in the morning or when I buy new clothes, I don ’ t think too much about what effect these clothes have on the environment. Don ’ t get me wrong: I really try to buy as many organic and eco-friendly clothes as possible. And I practice quality over quantity, so I have a minimal closet. As well, I buy used clothing; I borrow clothes; and I accept hand-me-downs from friends. But the reality is that I do have three children who end up with clothes that are torn or stained and need to be tossed.  Until a couple of years ago, I did not know about textile production ’ s effect on our planet. The sad part is that most old clothes and textiles will end up in a landfill eventually. About 11.1 million tons of textiles such as t-shirts, pants, blankets, tablecloths, sheets and baby clothes are thrown into the trash and then into landfills in the U.S. each year. Now, if everyone would get into the habit of coming up with clever ...