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For homesteaders, thrifting offers an affordable way to discover sturdy, one-of-a-kind items that fit the lifestyle. Who doesn’t love a good treasure hunt around flea markets, thrift stores, and garage sales? While not every secondhand find is a true bargain, some items are well worth the investment. Some older items are far superior in terms of quality than their modern-day equivalents, making them highly sought after by bargain hunters. Let’s take a look at what you should seek out when thrifting.
1. Durable Cookware
Some types of cookware, such as cast iron skillets, stainless steel pots, and Dutch ovens, are built to last and often passed down from one generation to the next. So, if you’re lucky enough to spot any of these items in your local thrift store, make sure to snap them up! Even if rusty, they can often be restored to like-new condition with a little elbow grease.
2. Hand Tools
Older tools are often made with higher-quality metal than newer, mass-produced versions, making them more durable and well-suited to life on the homestead. Look for garden tools like shovels, hoes, and pruning shears, and hand tools like wrenches, hammers, and screwdrivers. Older tools can be rejuvenated by replacing wooden handles, sharpening blades, and oiling stiff or rusted joints.
3. Canning Equipment
You’d be amazed how much canning equipment ends up in thrift stores! Look for canners, jar lifters, racks, and mason jars to top up your canning supplies. Ensure pressure canners are free from cracks in the lid or body and check mason jars carefully for chips around the rim.
4. Wool Blankets
It is hard to understand why woolen blankets have fallen out of fashion, as they are far more durable than modern-day equivalents. As well as keeping you warm, good woolen blankets can be used as insulation or even stashed away in your emergency survival kit. Look for quality brands like Pendleton or seek out military surplus stores.
5. Kitchen Tools
It is always worth rummaging through the kitchen tools at the thrift store – manual hand-crank mixers, peelers, and meat grinders are all invaluable off-grid tools. Yes, they might seem old-fashioned, but they’ll stand the test of time without using valuable electricity. My favorite find recently was a hand-crank ‘mouli’ food mill, which has halved our tomato processing time this summer!
6. Fabric and Sewing Supplies
Look for old linens, cotton sheets, fabric scraps, and wool or yard to stock up your crafting supplies. I like to hunt out vintage buttons, trims, and zippers to add character to my handmade sewing projects. If you’re a fan of making clothes, thrift stores can also be a good source of sewing patterns at a bargain price.
7. Bakeware
Vintage bakeware is an excellent addition to your homestead kitchen – look out for pie pans, bread pans, and enamel roasters, all of which are durable and bake evenly and efficiently.
8. Lumber and Building Materials
Thrifting is a great opportunity to build a stash of wood scrap, old doors, windows, and other items that can be repurposed for DIY projects.
9. Storage Bins and Baskets
Wooden crates, metal bins, and woven baskets are perfect for organizing tools and storing produce, lasting far longer than modern plastic equivalents.
10. Oil Lamps and Lanterns
Oil lamps are common in thrift stores, and they are perfect for bringing extra light and ambiance into our homes. Before buying, check for cracks in the glass and ensure the wick mechanism works smoothly.
14 Prepper Items to Buy at the Thrift Store
For preppers, thrift stores can be a real resource. Building up a stockpile of essential supplies to support your family over an extended period can quickly become quite costly. With that in mind, thrift stores are a great place to find some key items preppers often look for. Here are 14 essential prepper finds you can pick up at a thrift store.
14 Prepper Items to Buy at the Thrift Store
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Stockpiling can get expensive, but Dollar Tree offers affordable items that can help you stay prepared without overspending. With plenty of useful options, Dollar Tree makes it easier to stay ready for anything. Here’s a list of 15 essential items you can find at Dollar Tree to start building your stockpile today.
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Kate Chalmers
Kate is a passionate gardener who has a keen interest in all things related to homesteading and sustainability. She resides in Portugal with her husband and menagerie of animals and has over 15 years of experience in the UK veterinary industry. In 2020, Kate and her husband took on a dilapidated Portuguese house and abandoned olive grove, turning it into an abundant food forest and home for nature.
Life on the homestead is never the same from one day to the next, and Kate has mastered many skills that she is keen to pass on to anyone with an interest in becoming more self-sufficient. Kate believes that living a sustainable lifestyle is the key to happiness and fulfillment and that everyone can make simple changes that connect us back to nature and reduce our impact on the planet.
