Six reasons to create your Halloween costume at Goodwill

While store-bought Halloween costumes are convenient, there’s a fantastic alternative that not only saves you money but offers you a creative outlet and a sustainable approach. This blog outlines six benefits to embracing thriftiness by crafting your Halloween ensemble with items purchased at Goodwill. 

1. Affordability

One of the most obvious benefits to creating a Halloween costume with Goodwill finds, is the cost savings. Thrift stores like Goodwill offer a wide range of clothing and accessories at budget-friendly prices. Rather than spending a significant amount on a store-bought costume that you may only wear once, you can create a unique and affordable ensemble with items that could be repurposed for everyday wear.

2. Unique and Creative Options

Goodwill’s diverse selection of clothing and accessories makes it a great place to create your one-of-a-kind costume. The possibilities are endless, so let your creativity run wild! You’ll find items from various decades, styles, and genres. If you’re going for a vintage look, a pop-culture icon, a classic monster, or something entirely original, Goodwill’s inventory will inspire your creativity and imagination. In addition to donated goods, Goodwill also carries new Halloween accessory items such as hats, wigs, fangs, makeup, and other props, to round out your costume creation.

3. Eco-Friendly

Creating a Halloween costume from second-hand items is an environmentally conscious choice. Instead of contributing to the demand for new, mass-produced costumes, you’re repurposing and reusing items that might otherwise end up in landfills. It’s a sustainable way to enjoy Halloween without contributing to fashion waste.

4. Quality and Durability

While some store-bought costumes can be flimsy and easily torn or damaged, Goodwill offers many well-made, durable clothing items and accessories. Vintage clothing, in particular, often boasts superior craftsmanship compared to contemporary mass-produced costumes. So, not only will your Goodwill-sourced costume look great, but it may also last for future Halloweens or find its way into your everyday wardrobe.

5. Customization and Personalization

When you create a costume with thrifted items, you have the flexibility to customize and personalize them to your heart’s content. You can rip, sew, paint, glue, or modify items to achieve your desired look, ensuring that your costume is a perfect fit and truly unique. You can also involve your children, family, or friends in the creative process, making it a fun group activity.

6. A Good Cause

Goodwill is not just a thrift store; it’s also a nonprofit organization that provides job training and employment opportunities to individuals with barriers to employment. When you shop at Goodwill, you’re not only saving money but also supporting a good cause. Your purchases directly contribute to the organization’s mission of changing lives through the power of work.

So, this Halloween, instead of heading straight to a for-profit costume store, consider a visit to your local Goodwill store and embark on a cost-effective, creative, eco-friendly, fun adventure in costume creation! Not only will you end up with a one-of-a-kind costume, you can feel good about making a positive impact on the environment and your community.

Happy thrifty Halloween!

Thrifted finds make your dorm room feel like home

By Felicia Czochanski

Heading off to college is a major milestone. For those who have the opportunity to live on campus, the school year can mean leaving family and friends in your hometown and heading off into the world of the unknown. Especially for freshman, the first few weeks of the school year can be an exciting and nerve-wracking time. You might feel homesick as you try to figure out who in your class you might be able to form a friendship with. You might feel out of sorts without friendly reminders from home. Preparing for a new school year and setting yourself up for success are the best things you can do to start the semester on the right foot. 

This goes for all types of back-to-school shopping, especially putting thought into the place where you’ll sleep, study, and hang out with friends. Fortunately, you won’t need to lug all your furniture and décor from across the country to your new dorm, with the help of the home goods section in a local Goodwill that can make your dorm room feel like home from day one. 

Shopping at Goodwill for dorm room décor is a cost-effective way to get your back-to-school shopping done. It’s also an amazing way to pick up unique and eclectic finds that can really make a dorm room feel like home. Whether you buy something new with the tags still on it, or something that’s been donated and has been pre-loved, shopping at Goodwill is an amazing way to express your taste and interests as you display the items as décor in your new room. In fact, not only can it create a more artistic feel to your décor, but it also supports those in the local community as well, with job training and courses that can help them excel in their lives and careers. 

Keep reading for inspiration from real Goodwill shoppers around the country, who used thrifted home goods treasures to create the atmosphere of their dreams. 

 

Bright Pops of Color

Starting the school year with confidence can make the semester an experience full of new opportunities. Incorporating bright pops of color into your dorm décor can be a reminder to shine bright throughout the year. You can find everything from curtains to throw pillows to jewelry boxes at Goodwill. Be sure to check them out on your next trip to see what speaks to you!

 

 

Thrifty, Useable Décor

Space is likely going to be limited if you’re living in a dorm, which makes the case for décor that serves a purpose while making the place your own. I love the idea of this reverse bookstack topped with a plant and set next to a candle as a fun way to spice up desk or dresser space. Plus, you can swap new books or textbooks as you read them.

Easy ways to upcycle thrifted clothing from Goodwill

 

Upcycling thrifted clothing is a creative way to breathe new life into secondhand finds. It’s the perfect opportunity to create a wardrobe that reflects YOU and your personal style. And, by repurposing and reusing clothing found at a Goodwill store, you not only save money, but also help the environment, and support a great cause. 

If you are drawn to a piece of clothing while shopping Goodwill — perhaps you love the color, the texture of the fabric, or the style — don’t discount it because of a minor flaw or imperfection.

Here are some simple upcycling tricks you could try:  

BUTTON SWAP

One of the easiest ways to transform a thrifted shirt, jacket, or coat is to swap out the buttons. With so many shapes, styles, colors, and materials to choose from buttons can completely alter the vibe of the piece — from classic to boho, traditional to modern — with this one quick change. 

SEW IT UP

Try adding some embroidery, beading, or other decorative details to create one-of-a-kind wearable art piece. Let a thrifted jean jacket be the canvas for your artistic expression. 

PATCH OVER

If you find a piece of clothing that’s threadbare or has a small stain, try covering it with a decorative patch. You can purchase appliqué patches, iron-on patches, or you can make your own from colorful scraps. 

DYE JOB

Not your color? Experiment with fabric dyes! They’re inexpensive and easy to use. Choose a color you love or mix them to create your own. Thrifted white tees are the perfect for tie-dye,  batik, of silk screen. Find free instruction and DIY videos online.

LAYER IT UP

Layering is a great way to give interest to an ordinary piece. Try layering different colors, textures, and fabrics.  

FIND A TAILOR

If you find a quality thrifted piece that doesn’t quite fit the way you’d like, don’t be afraid to take it to a tailor, or, if you have the skills, alter it yourself! 

All it takes is a little creativity and imagination to create a wardrobe you love.

Get a Clue this Halloween

By Kendra Stanley-Mills

Goodwill aficionado extraordinaire and local photographer, Kendra Stanley-Mills, is our guest blogger this month — sharing her experience of transforming her family into characters from the classic board game Clue for Halloween. Using donated Goodwill items as inspiration, and accessories also available at Goodwill, Kendra’s creativity and thriftiness resulted in the most incredible costumes at a very low cost. 

(You might recall in 2019 when she and her family became The Addams Family.)

Special thanks to Kendra, as well as her family, for their participation … Yuri, Harper, and husband Jon Mills. 

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Our family loves to play board games. We like the ones that challenge our minds; the ones that make us laugh and the games that stretch our creativity. But, one board game stands out for all of us and that’s Clue. I’m not sure if it is the interesting characters, the mystery or the strategy, but when we can’t agree what to play, we usually settle on this classic detective game. 

Once I decided on Clue characters as our family Halloween costumes, I pulled the Clue suspect cards out of our board game drawer, tossed them into a Ziploc bag and went straight to a local Goodwill. I wasn’t set on which suspect we’d each be, I let what treasures I found in the proper size be the determining factor of who would be Mrs. Peacock, Professor Plum, or Colonel Mustard. 

My first stop was the Norton Shores Goodwill on 1484 E. Ellis Rd. It’s not the closest Goodwill to my home, but it was the closest to my daughter’s Saturday soccer game. I popped in and instantly found a long red dress hanging up high (I had to ask for assistance to have it taken down and a nice employee helped me right away.) Glorious! It was in my size and only $5.99. So, I quickly became Miss Scarlet the first five minutes of my arrival. My next find was a perfectly peacock-colored dress that had feathery-type adornments on its sleeves, also for only $5.99 and, miraculously, in my 13-year-old daughter’s size. She now would become Mrs. Peacock. I found a hat that someone had hot-glued some feathers on so I bought the hat and removed the feathers to add to her costume. I knew I had the perfect vintage hat and purple stockings at home to add to Mrs. Peacock’s costume. I also had blue and red shoes that were both $4 (previous Goodwill purchases) at home. Our costumes were nearly done but I found some self-adhesive eyelashes for $1.55 to complete Mrs. Peacock’s look. 

When my eyes fell upon a vinyl green blazer (a women’s size large) I knew that my husband would be Mr. Green. I paid $5.99 for the blazer and found a nice olive green turtleneck sweater for $4.99 to complete the ensemble. I knew my husband had some army green slacks at home and he just wore his everyday eyeglasses.

In the Halloween section, near the eyelashes, I found a white beard/mustache set that I knew I could cut apart to make good Colonel Mustard mutton chop sideburns. So, our 15-year-old son would be Colonel Mustard. It was easy to find a vintage tie with some mustard-hues for a $1.00. Then, I found a yellow button up in the men’s section. He had khaki pants at home and I had my great-grandmother’s vintage eyeglasses and my grandfather’s pipe that added a little extra touch. I found a tweed jacket (also in the women’s section) for $5.99. 

As I left my very first stop, I realized I had my costumes 95% completed. I needed some brown shoes to finish off Colonel Mustard’s costume so I stopped at the Whitehall Goodwill off Colby Street on my way home. I found a nearly-new pair of Baldwin Venetian cognac sheepskin Johnston & Murphy’s loafers for $6. SIX DOLLARS!!! (Look them up, they retail for $195)  I found the perfect shoes for the costume but shoes that our son can wear again in the future, a win-win. I also found a candlestick (one of the weapons in the Clue game) for $3.99 which I will use in the house again, too. After I got home, my husband raided our garage for some rope, a lead pipe and wrench. 

Maybe another year, we can find two other people to be Mrs. White and Professor Plum. Until then, can you guess who did it, with what weapon and in which room? 

Good people doing good at Goodwill

By Kimberly Harsch, Resource Development Coordinator

Last Saturday I was fortunate to be part of Goodwill’s first book sorting volunteer day in partnership with Read Early. Read Often. (RERO). Our goal was to get 500 gently used books in the hands of disadvantaged grade school children in Muskegon County. I was not prepared for the generous events that would unfold.

Goodwill President and CEO Jeanette Hoyer wants to help improve literacy rates for kids in our community where less than 40% of students reach adequate literacy level by third grade. Literacy directly affects education. And education is a pipeline to high wages, and a powerful tool in the fight to end poverty. Literacy improves when kids have books. And Goodwill has plenty to give.

We quickly found a strong partner in Allison Keessen at RERO who when asked if she could use free books responded, “Boy could we ever!”

We knew we needed to inspect, clean, and sort the books first. This takes manpower. RERO recruited 28 volunteers made up of high school students from “Reading Buddies United” which is comprised of area high school students from four schools: Orchard View, Oakridge, Mona Shores, and Muskegon. There were also volunteers from Rotary Interact, Pathfinders of Muskegon, and United Way of the Lakeshore.

On the day of book sorting at Goodwill’s headquarters in Muskegon, the positive energy was everywhere. Volunteers laughed, danced, and did the work while learning more about each other. Every once in an “Oh! I LOVED this book!” arose above the chatter and volunteers would rush to celebrate the title.

Two hours flew by in a flash. As we were packing up, I heard some of the kids talk about books that THEY were taking for their communities. Some were for book drives at school or for reading to grade schoolers. Nefertoria from Pathfinders of Muskegon took nearly 200 books to deliver on the streets. “I fill my trunk and when I open it, kids come running for books,” she said.

As we closed our first day together, Allison did a final book tally … 1,333 books were ready to go! These will be distributed wherever kids need them. Jeanette closed the day with a warm “thank you” for this group of generous people who truly are helping us “Change lives through the power of [their] work.”

If you would like to volunteer, or have locations that could use books for children contact Kim Harsch of Goodwill at (231) 722-7871, x1057.

For more information visit our website!

32 Goodwill Outlet FAQs and shopping tips

By Nanci Penland, Goodwill Outlet and Store Manager

The wait is finally over! Our new outlet store in Muskegon is open for business.

Rolling up your sleeves and sifting through unsorted textiles and wares isn’t for everyone, but avid thrifters LOVE discovering hidden gems and the low, low price.

If you’ve never visited a Goodwill outlet, you are in for an experience. Serving as a “last chance” clearinghouse for our donated goods, items are placed unsorted in large bins and sold by the pound. The bins are rotated with fresh content throughout the day.

If outlet shopping isn’t your cup of tea, visit our regular retail store right next door in the same building!

Goodwill Outlet Shopping Tips

• Bring bags or boxes to transport your purchases home.
• Wear sturdy gloves when sorting through merchandise due to potential sharp objects.
• For your safety, when merchandise bins are rolled onto the sales floor, please move out of the way. Please stand back until a Goodwill team member indicates “okay to shop” before approaching the bins.
• The outlet is strictly “cash and carry” meaning we cannot hold or set aside your items. If shopping for furniture or other large items, please make sure you have a vehicle that can transport your purchases at the time of sale.
• Monitor your cart and personal belongings! You are responsible for safeguarding.
• Test electronics in designated areas.
• Bring batteries to test toys and measuring tape if purchasing furniture.
• Be patient and be courteous to fellow shoppers.
• If bringing children, please do not leave them unsupervised; they must be accompanied by an adult.
• If you plan on visiting our regular store afterwards (located next door!), please take your purchased items to your car first.
• Clean your treasures when you get home. Wash what you can in hot water and use disinfectant wipes on toys, books, and other items. Rent a steam cleaner at your local hardware store to deep clean soft furniture.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Goodwill outlet?
The Goodwill outlet serves as a last-chance clearinghouse for items that did not sell at our 17 Goodwill Industries of West Michigan stores after a four-week period of time on the shelf. Wonderful bargains can be found!

How is the outlet different from a traditional Goodwill store?
Visiting a Goodwill outlet is a very different experience from shopping a regular store. Items are not sorted, hung, or organized but rather offered on large rolling tables for shoppers to sift through. Items are sold priced by the pound at a deep discount. Furniture and oversized items are individually priced. It’s the perfect experience for the bargain hunter who likes to roll up their sleeves.

How does the outlet operate?
Unsorted clothing and other merchandise are put on rolling tables and rotated on and off the sales floor throughout the day offering continuous fresh selections. Shoppers place items in a shopping cart that is then weighed on a floor scale.

What is the pricing?
Clothes, shoes, toys, electronics, glassware, and household goods are sold at $1.29 per pound. Furniture and other oversized items are priced individually.

What happens to merchandise not sold at the outlet?
Items not sold during their time on the sales floor are then responsibly recycled or sold to a recycling partner.

Is the merchandise sorted?
No. Items are heaped unsorted onto rolling carts.

How do my items get weighed?
Shoppers place their cart onto a floor scale and the weight of the cart is subtracted.

Does the outlet supply bags for purchased items?
Goodwill does provide some boxes but we encourage shoppers to bring their own bags.

What payment methods are allowed?
Cash or credit cards are accepted; checks are not.

Can I return items purchase at the outlet?
All items are sold as-is and there are no returns.

Do you accept donations at the outlet?
Not in the outlet itself, but there is a convenient donation drive-thru in the same building.

Are Goodwill vouchers accepted?
No

Where is the outlet located?
1501 East Apple Avenue in Muskegon Township right next to US-31

What are the days/hours of operation?
The outlet is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information visit our website!

Becoming The Addams Family

We reached out to local Goodwill superfan Kendra Stanley-Mills and offered her a challenge … transform your family into The Addams Family using donated items purchased at Goodwill stores. Below are her amazing results. Special thanks to her accommodating family … Yuri, Harper, and husband Jon Mills.

By Kendra Stanley-Mills

To transform the Mills Family into the Addams Family was a fun adventure. The first thing we did was to peruse the Internet to find some good photos that gave us a general idea of what to look for at Goodwill.

Pugsley’s costume was the easiest. Truly all we did was look for a black and white horizontal striped shirt. We had everything else at home. The shirt was a ladies shirt which 100% humiliated our son but I told him no one could truly tell.

Wednesday’s costume was just a basic black dress (super easy to find at any Goodwill) and then I found a white collared shirt (also super easy to find.) I cut off the collar and sewed that onto the black dress. We found black loafers but we did splurge and bought new white Bobbysocks at Target because all we could find were athletic socks at Goodwill. Our daughter is a redhead so we bought some black temporary hair color to make her fit the part a bit more. I added some lighter foundation to her face to make her look a bit pale.

We couldn’t find a full pinstriped suit for Gomez but we settled for a dark pair of dress pants and a striped suit coat. We already had a white shirt and then we looked and looked for a solid black bowtie or necktie (honestly, this was the most difficult item to find – who knew?!) With an added fake mustache (which were actually fake eyebrows but we reinvented them) and some extra hair gunk to slick back Jon’s hair, he fit the part. All we needed was a cigar (oops, we forgot!) so we improvised with a beef stick.

Goodwill items I used to create the costumes are listed below.

Morticia Addams:

• red rose from Whitehall Goodwill ($.80)
• long black dress from Norton Shores Goodwill ($5.99)
• black dress from Norton Shores Road Goodwill ($5.99)
• wore shoes I already owned
• red nail polish I already owned
• bought red lipstick from Target

Wednesday Addams:

• white collared shirt from Whitehall Road Goodwill ($3.99)
• black dress from Norton Shores Goodwill ($5.99)
• black shoes from Whitehall Goodwill ($4.00)
• bought white dress bobby socks from Target
• bought black temporary hair color from Target
• “Thing” we already owned

Pugsley Addams:

• striped shirt from Muskegon–Sherman Goodwill ($1.99)
• black shorts that we already owned
• black shoes we already owned
• black socks borrowed from mom
• pillow stuffing used to create a belly that we already had at home

Gomez Addams:

• black dress pants from Whitehall Goodwill ($3.99)
• striped suit coat from Norton Shores Goodwill ($7.99)
• facial mustache from Whitehall Goodwill ($1.45)
• black tie from Whitehall Goodwill ($2.00)
• white shirt we already owned
• black shoes we already owned
• “Cigar” was a beef stick

Total Goodwill cost: $44.18

The Addams family promotes Goodwill for Halloween costumes!

This Halloween, Goodwill® is partnering with MGM Studios for the upcoming release of The Addams Family movie coming to theaters October 11. The first family of Halloween is providing us a fun thematic opportunity to promote Goodwill as the place to find unique and authentic costumes.

Enter our costume contest!

Contest runs Oct. 18- 31.

RULES:
1) Create a one-of-a-kind costume using items purchased at Goodwill.
2) Post a photo of your DIY costume creation on our Facebook page with a description of what you created.
3) The costume must be created in 2019.
4) The participant must be a resident of West Michigan

Prizes: $50 Goodwill Store Gift Card for each category – Best Adult Costume, Best Child Costume (under age 18), Best Group / Couple Costume

*Gift cards are only good at Goodwill Industries of West Michigan locations.

Check out our Facebook event for all the details!

Goodwill finds for fall

By Rachael Kaminski, Goodwill Marketing Specialist

With the cooler breezes blowing in, many of us are dreaming of cozy boots, and mulled wine. Yum! Schools are in session, and Halloween is right around the corner, which makes now the perfect time to refresh your wardrobe, and deck out your home for fall. As each season arrives, it’s nice to bring in a few newly thrifted pieces to keep things current, so here’s what I’ve got my eye out for this year…

Western-inspired looks are perhaps the biggest trend to come from fall 2019.

Boot-cut jeans, Western boots, rancher hats, and oh… you can’t forget about an oversized belt buckle to complete your urban cowgirl look. Now just remember you don’t have to wear everything “Western-inspired” in one outfit. Try incorporating one or two Southwestern-inspired pieces into your fall look.

You’ll see plenty of animal prints this fall, but none more popular than the snake print. HuffPost is predicting “you’ll see snake print boots, belts, purses, and snake print clothes everywhere this season.” Think of it as the next neutral of your closet.

I found these pointy-toed snakeskin looking heels, perfect for the office at our Muskegon Store on Sherman Blvd., for only $4.00! Thrift score!

Here are a few of the Fall 2019 colors to look out for while shopping at Goodwill. I’m going to attempt to step out of my comfort zone, and work on incorporating more of the Autumn-Winter 2019 / 2020 color palate into my outfits. What color do you think you try?

Plaid for fall? How groundbreaking! Still, if you’re looking for a few statement pieces to dress up your fall wardrobe, I’ve spotted a variety in different colors, and patterns. From plaid jumpsuits to ponchos, this is a fall look that won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.

Now on to the decor! 

Goodwill is my FAVORITE place to spruce up my fall decor! I love trying new to you items that won’t break the bank. From candle holders to pillows, wreaths, and faux flowers, the opportunities are endless. Check out our Pinterest boards  Thrift Store Makeover and DIY Fall Decor for some inspiration.

Want to know a little secret? Baskets, ceramics, and wooden decorations can easily be updated to match any color scheme. Whether you are wanting to incorporate the new Autumn color palate that I discussed earlier, or something more classic like black, and white, these type of decorations can all be customized with a can or two of spray paint! My whole home is different variations of teal, and turquoise even with my fall décor. So after seeing these wooden baskets, and pumpkins at Goodwill last week, I wish I would have picked them up, and spray painted them to add to my collection.

Don’t have buyer’s remorse like me. Remember, if you don’t get the item it will be gone the next time to go back. That’s the beauty of Goodwill … it’s a treasure hunt, and you never know what you’ll find!

And should you find that you want to clear out some old and unused fall decorations or clothing while you’re adding in your newly thrifted pieces, remember you can donate those items to Goodwill. They will help someone find a job, strengthen our community, and preserve the planet. That ensures that while you start fresh for this new season, someone else gets to as well. Happy fall thrifting to all!

 

Head back-to-school with Goodwill!

By Rachael Kaminski

Okay, parents and students—we’re in the homestretch now for the back-to-school season. As far as snapping up the coolest styles and other accessories it’s now or never! Don’t let yourself get dragged into stores with long lines and high prices. Come to Goodwill instead! You’ll be able to cross every item off of your shopping list (from dorm-worthy dishes to kindergarten kicks) all in one place while at the same time bringing job opportunities into your neighborhood.

Shopping with little ones can seem so impossible at times, but bringing them along for the ride is also the only way you can be really sure about the fit of your finds for them. So what do you do when the countdown to the first day of school is in single digits and you still don’t have what you need?

Read these super helpful tips for thrifting for your back-to-school needs from Amiyrah of the blog Four Hats & Frugal!

She’s got some bold tricks up her sleeve that will help you survive the season, kids in tow. My favorite is to give each kiddo their own cash to shop with. This will help them learn to budget and take charge of their own style. What better way to warm up their brains for school-thinking after months of summer fun? Even the littlest kids can help with this! Read her helpful back-to-school shopping tips here.

Middle school and junior high shopping brings its own unique set of problems. Teens will probably want to pour their whole back-to-school budget into fashion pieces. But don’t let them skip the organizational elements that will streamline life between classes. 

 I’m talking about little hanging baskets, pint-sized mirrors, and other tiny items to keep their locker tidy and useful. While rushing through the hall, your student would be able to quickly swing in to swap out books, grab a new pencil, hair elastic, or calculator without having to dig around for them all. Then, with a quick peek in their hanging mirror, they’re off to their next class before the bell rings. Scope out your local Goodwill for little baskets, bins, and locker accessories like this then grab some strong magnetic hooks to keep them in place.

Check out these DIY videos on how to make your own back-to-school locker organizer, dry erase or corkboard, neon shoes and much more!

Once college rolls around, the priorities and shopping needs for students change once again. And yet, Goodwill can still help. From stocking your dorm room to the off-campus apartment, Goodwill will be your best friend. Cost-effective, brand new and gently loved items will help fill your kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, and living room with function and fun pieces. From pots, and pans to lamps, dressers, couches, and the best part decor! 

Check out this blog about a DIY Lamp Makeover I completed a few years ago, it’s still one of my favorites!

Goodwill can help you find much more than just back-to-school and dorm room supplies! We have part-time job opportunities and volunteer experience that can help build your resume while still going to class. We’re looking for fun, energetic part-time retail employees the help on nights and weekends. It’s the perfect opportunity to earn a little spending money! Interested? Apply online today.

Looking for volunteer, internship and work experience opportunities? Our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program is ideal for those college students. Read all about Brett’s experience as a student volunteer tax preparer. Not only did he receive a $500 stipend he also got hired right after graduation! Interested in volunteering? Call Brett at (231) 722-7871 x 1073. 

Three ways to upgrade your summer travel wardrobe and save at Goodwill

Some days it can seem like saving enough money to travel is impossible. You forget to bring lunch to work or don’t have time to make it, you’ll find yourself running up a $10 bill just for a salad that has the toppings you want. This doesn’t even take into consideration the student loans and debt many people are facing as well.

Yet when it comes to travel – you don’t need to jet off to some exotic place to reap the benefits of much-needed rest and relaxation. Even just going away for a long weekend to a nearby city you’ve never been to can do the trick. If you’re worried about hotel prices, look into Airbnbs and hostels. If you’re nervous about food prices for eating out it’s worth it to stock up on breakfast and snacks before the trip, and even better if you’re able to find a place to stay that has a kitchenette. Saving in these small ways can really add up to help you pay for the absolutely necessary expenses of the trip.

So does saving on a vacation wardrobe, by shopping at your local Goodwill. By shopping the well-loved treasures at your local Goodwill store you’re not only able to pay around 90% less than retail prices – sometimes for awesome designer clothing with the tags still attached – but you’re also able to help out others in your community. Shopping at Goodwill is both a win for you and a win for others who receive financial assistance and professional training from the organization, fully funded by donations and purchases at Goodwill.

As summer swiftly approaches, there are a few items to scour the racks of your favorite Goodwill store for.

1. Stock up on accessories to help shade the sun

 

You’ll be able to find some amazing sunglasses steals and beautiful handcrafted hats at your local Goodwill. Take advantage of these deals to shield yourself from the sun this season.

2. Check out flowy dresses and skirts to keep you cool during warmer weather

From walking to the office to the park you’re going to need some options that can be dressed up or down, while still helping you stay cool. When looking for some of these options, focus on the material. You’ll want to stick with lighter, more breathable fabrics, such as cotton, linen, rayon and fabric blends.

3. Invest in a pair of comfy, neutral sneakers

One of the best things you can do for your feet this summer is to help them avoid getting blisters. Whether or not you’re able to travel, a pair of neutral sneaker is the perfect way to get a few extra steps every day, because it matches your outfit and provides the ultimate comfort. A pair of white, cream or black sneakers could really help you go a long way!