by Barbara Adkins

Created on: April 17, 2009

In today's economic times, everyone is looking for ways to streamline expenses, whether it be for groceries, household items, furniture, or other items. We want or need a quality product without forfeiting our weekly pay for the item.

It's funny, how our minds work. If we have an interest in antiques, we will shell out a high dollar amount for an item twenty to one hundred years old, and be proud of the fact that we found it in a little "what not" shop or estate sale at such a great price. But when we think of useful items we use everyday, the words "thrift store" carry a stigmatism all their own.

Thrift and Second hand stores have been a staple for antique dealers, collectors, families and internet sales for years. When you stop into a "what not" shop that is packed full of antiques, keep in mind, the vast majority of those products have been purchased from garage sales, thrift stores, and estate sales, for pennies on the dollar. Many people are purchasing newer items from these same sources and selling the items online as previously owned. But did you ever stop to ask them "owned by whom?"

Shopping in the second hand market is a treasure hunt. You may be looking for a good used coffee table, and instead find an original set of 1960's glass mixing bowls, made by Pyrex. Is the set used? Yes! Is it a superior product of glassware from what is manufactured today? In my opinion, yes. It is useful, and collectible. Perhaps you only find one of the Pyrex nesting bowls. Did you know some patterns are highly sought after by collector's. By shopping in the used market, you can not only buy a superior product, for less money that is collectible, but you can also find products to sell to other's. Is scrounging for used goods starting to take on a whole new appeal?

What are the key things you should know?

1) You have to have patience and tenacity. You may browse stores one day and find nothing, and a week later walk into those same stores and hit the jack pot.

2) While second hand stores have reduced prices, many also have sale days. Ask if and when they have sales, so you can take advantage of additional savings.

3) Look for items you need or want. If you are purchasing to resell, make sure you do your homework and know the retail market value of a used item. If the item is something you will use anyway, then by all means purchase. But be careful not to nickel and dime yourself with useless products with no real value.

4) Be respectful of the store, store owner and staff. If

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