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I started shopping at thrift stores when I had two young kids who outgrew their clothing as quickly as they emptied the pantry and the refrigerator. Both of those kids are now in college, but I still love bargain hunting at places that sell used stuff. It's become as much a hobby as it is a way to save money.

Thrift shops are a great place to get used clothing, furniture, glassware, dishes, books, toys, and linens. But following some basic ground rules will not only make the experience more fun but also ensure that what you're getting is really a bargain.

1. Go with an open mind. If it's Thursday and you need the perfect dress for a party on Friday night, you might want to head for the mall instead. It's unlikely that you're going to find exactly what you need on a single trip to just one store. But if it's February and you're starting to think about replacing the worn-out khakis in your spring wardrobe, start looking now and by April, you may have found two or three pairs of "new" pants.

2. Look for quality. Top brands may be overpriced at your local department store, but in general they tend to be expensive for a reason: They're usually made of better quality materials and better constructed than the stuff sold at discount stores. Look for brand-name logos on clothing and learn to spot signature styles and fabrics of items like sheets and towels.

3. Think about how you'll use the item. If your fourteen-year-old son needs a sport jacket for the eighth-grade dance, head for your local Goodwill Store. He's going to wear the jacket once and outgrow it by the time the next dress-up event comes around. On the other hand, head for your local running store if he needs new shoes for the track team.

4. Make sure the item is really a bargain. This means you need to have a good idea about what things should cost. At our local Goodwill store, the biggest booby-trap is housewares. I've seen used measuring cups priced at $4.50, when the local kitchen store was selling new ones for $3.99.

5. Examine all items carefully. Check zippers, buttons, pockets, and hems. A loose hem can probably be stitched up quickly, but a broken zipper may present a problem unless you're a skilled seamstress.

6. Think outside the box. Sheets can be used as quilt backing material if you sew. Thrift store towels can be used for washing your car or the dog. A set of mismatched plates can be used to catch water under flowerpots.

7. Head for the book section to build your personal library. My husband and I

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