Thrift Stores
When I go out searching I’m not really looking for anything in particular. I just see what’s there and what I can do.
Not all Thrift stores are the same. For example, Goodwill is more expensive than the smaller stores that I have found.
Sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn’t, but if anything, it will help get the creative juices flowing.
Clearance Aisle
This is easy if you have the patience. Shop Halloween supplies after Halloween, Christmas after Christmas and so on. The Spirit Store discounts items pretty heavily from the start. Other stores like Michaels start at 50, then 60 and so on. I have found some good (but not great), stuff for 90% off.
Those funkins are super expensive so I only by them after Halloween. Instead of $12-15 each you can get them for around $5-6. Same goes for fabric, ribbon, etc.
I also use this time to buy seasonal crafts and such for my kids to do the following year.
Dollar Store
I always overlooked the Dollar Store until a few years ago. I Wish I had gone there sooner. You can find some amazing stuff there that you can transform into something awesome.
My kids admired a car the other day that had Christmas stuff on it. I was thinking about getting something similar like reindeer decor but didn’t feel like spending $15-20 to do it. I went to the Dollar store and found a wreath and a large ribbon. $2 and done!
The kids loved it.
Paint
Go to any store that sells paint and look in their ‘oops’ area.
You can score really cheap paint as long as you don’t care if the tone is a little off of what you want. For example, I needed a pint of red paint for a Christmas decoration. The one I wanted was $12 at Lowes. I checked the oops area and found red (not gloss or exact tone I wanted), for $2.50. I have gloss sealer so hey, not a big deal.
No matter what you choose remember the purpose of the project. If it’s an outdoor prop make sure that it is exterior paint.
Wood
Depending on what you are looking for you have some options. No matter what you choose compare the cost and your time. You can save a lot of money by following one of the methods below but remember your time is worth something too.
General post type material – look for houses in the spring and summer who are redoing their fence. You can always take the old stuff off of their hands and they will be grateful because they won’t have to haul and pay to trash it. Try any one of the neighborhood apps for this. Or just drive around.
Hit or Miss – Bix Box stores like Lowes or Home Depot. You can get a discount on wood it they consider it more-or-less ruined. Basically something that’s either bent or looks like a Wookie took a bite out of it. They don’t have to do this but it doesn’t hurt to ask.
Flooring – go to any flooring store and ask what they have in the back waiting to be destroyed. You will be surprised at what you can get there.
Pallets – You love them or hate them. Find them in random spots. I like to use them for walls or floors. I don’t take them apart very much as I can only grind out so many nails.