Pine Ledge Academy Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 I will start...I love finding things that I wouldn't otherwise have bought or could have afforded....and sometimes I am glad that I only spent a few $, full price would not have been worth it.... Geo-Safari and cards......worth the $3.99 to us, but I am SOOO glad I did not buy it full price and I really had wanted to. Leap Frog globe...$4.99 Math Safari and 5 books! $4.99 2 Leap Pads $4.99 Electronic boards of...$2.99 each Presidents States Countries Take Off! board game Trivial Pursuit for Kids board game Stratego board game Battleship Mille Bornes card game Boggle Jr. Numbers what have you found? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chels~ Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 The best one I found was a complete set of MUS blocks in the box for $1.99. I regularly find great chapter books as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nutmeg Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 Last week I picked up Foerster's Alg/Trig for $5. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirty ethel rackham Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 My best buy was a $1 white board 20 x 30 (or something like that.) It has held up better than the $30 one I got from the office supply store for my business. I use this all the time. The next best buy has been books for a quarter - classic children's books and the classics. About 20 books for about $4. Nothing exciting but I don't shop for crazy things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peggy in Va Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 I used to find all kinds of great things in our local thrift stores, but not so much the past few years. Although I did get some incredible deals recently at our library's "fire sale". They were moving to a new facility and were selling off a ton of fixtures, etc. We managed to pick up a computer desk for $10, round library table and 4 chairs for $18, and a HUGE white board/chalk board on a movable stand for $20. But the absolute steal of the day were brand new, never opened TTC Algebra 1 and Algebra II complete sets with workbooks for $3 ea. I really felt like I had robbed a bank with that find.:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle My Bell Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 (edited) My best finds were not at the Goodwill, most of mine were FREE!!! Here are a few... This bookshelf was found along side the road, ready for the trash. It is solid wood. I painted it brown recently and put it in my school room upstairs. You can see it in the next photo. The tables in the center of the room were FREE also. My old highschool is being torn down, and one day last winter, with about 2 feet of snow on the ground, I was driving by when I saw them tossed out in the snow. I had to walk through about 200 ft. of unplowed snow to get one. My daughter helped me. Once I got it home and cleaned it all up, it looked like new! I loved it. I also then realized that the legs were adjustable and would work for my younger daughters as well. So the next day I sent my husband back to the school to pick up the other one which was covered in dead leaves and ice. He brought it home and after a deep clean, it was like new as well. Now my 4 students each have a desk their size and I am able to sit across from all of them. This little tree used to be in a store my aunt owns. She gave it to me when she closed. I would LOVE some suggestions on how to use it. I know there are possibilities. It is sooo cute. The heavy duty wood chairs were FREE also from Bob Evans Restaraunt that was closing. The microwave cart was a gift from my mother-in-law for our old kitchen. I had nowhere to put it in our newer kitchen, so I use it here. I just changed out the handle to match the room. The little shelf above the table was FREE from my mom and the chair at the table I got in MN when I lived there. I think it was very inexpensive. I have had it a long time. The lamp and rolling chair were from a family friend, again FREE. The little table here was a garage sale find my mother gave me. It is a vanity table. It was missing the mirror so I used it here. It is great for holding baskets of books or displays. As you can see, my homeschool room was nearly FREE. I just used brown paint to pull all the furniture pieces together. I used leftover white paint that I added a darker blue quart of paint to to make the wall color which I LOVE. I wish I had something I have bought at the Goodwill to share, but I don't. Our Goodwills around here have nothing but junk. Michelle Edited June 26, 2009 by Michelle My Bell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama Bear Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 Violins for between $40 and $70. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swellmomma Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 Usually just books. My last trip I found close to 40 books that I had in my amazon shopping cart and managed to knock a good $250 off my total on amazon. I also get science videos (eyewitness, national geographic etc), sometimes games, or peices needed for kits here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 That free furniture is amazing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 books, books, and more books. Our paperbacks are .39, hardbacks .89 so I've gotten plenty of the last year of so. My most recent favorites were a Lial's Intermediate Algebra Teacher's Edition and D'Aulaires Greek Myths. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dobela Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 Goodness! I don't ever find free stuff like that in our thrift stores. When I visit my grandmother (300 miles away) I find good things - and lots of homeschool materials. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misty Posted June 27, 2009 Share Posted June 27, 2009 I have picked up hundreds of wonderful books from thrift stores over the years, but my most recent great find is this little preschool table and chairs that I had been wanting from the Constructive Playthings catalog. In the catalog, it was priced at $60.. I found it in PERFECT condition at a thrift store for just $15!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicole M Posted June 27, 2009 Share Posted June 27, 2009 I have a beautiful wooden, two-drawer library card catalog thing. 99 cents! It holds all our flash cards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pine Ledge Academy Posted June 27, 2009 Author Share Posted June 27, 2009 I have a beautiful wooden, two-drawer library card catalog thing. 99 cents! It holds all our flash cards. I always have wondered what happened to all of those things....and I had to go to the library for Shurley grammar and have the librarian explain to my kids what a card catalog used to be....they still don't understand what I am talking about! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon H in IL Posted June 27, 2009 Share Posted June 27, 2009 I've been collecting children's books for years. So far, my LibraryThing account shows about 1,500, and I'd say half came from Goodwill or other thrift stores. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FO4UR Posted June 27, 2009 Share Posted June 27, 2009 I just went to Goodwill tonight. I spent $12 and brought home 2 bag-fulls of books and 3 movies for the kidlets. I found about 10 books that are on my RR wishlist.....at 50c a book....I need to go add up the savings:D I live in a seminary town, so there are lots of homeschoolers, and I'm guessing a homeschooler in my town bought from the AO yr2 list and donated it to Goodwill:lol: "Thanks" to whoever you are. I have tons and tons and tons of children's books that I've either gotten free or less than $1. I found a school desk with adjustable legs for free - it's in fantastic shape! I also found a rolling desk with a side that slides out for extra surface space. One leg is damaged, but fixable - also free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skaterbabs Posted June 27, 2009 Share Posted June 27, 2009 We recently found the entire Childcraft encyclopedia set at Goodwill for $1/book. I do most of my shopping there, and have a good many such finds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cin Posted June 27, 2009 Share Posted June 27, 2009 I just got the BFIAR book for $1. Mint condition. I usually can find books for me, and some for the girls. My favorites from our Goodwill is the clothing. Brand New Stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted June 27, 2009 Share Posted June 27, 2009 Books mainly, but not really great bargains like there are in other areas. Kids books are $1-2, adult paperbacks $3-4. Anything that isn't pure twaddle, has won any award, is a recognizable author... is always at the higher end. My dd loves to buy Build-a-Bears there and I have found some other things that are good deals. Like a very nice table top easel with a white board/chalk board for $5. A new kids life jacket for a few dollars. Wooden Melissa and Doug puzzles for $2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funschooler5 Posted June 27, 2009 Share Posted June 27, 2009 I have a beautiful wooden, two-drawer library card catalog thing. 99 cents! It holds all our flash cards. I'm so jealous...I've always wanted one of those! :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SherryTX Posted June 27, 2009 Share Posted June 27, 2009 My best finds were not at the Goodwill, most of mine were FREE!!! Here are a few... This bookshelf was found along side the road, ready for the trash. It is solid wood. I painted it brown recently and put it in my school room upstairs. You can see it in the next photo. The tables in the center of the room were FREE also. My old highschool is being torn down, and one day last winter, with about 2 feet of snow on the ground, I was driving by when I saw them tossed out in the snow. I had to walk through about 200 ft. of unplowed snow to get one. My daughter helped me. Once I got it home and cleaned it all up, it looked like new! I loved it. I also then realized that the legs were adjustable and would work for my younger daughters as well. So the next day I sent my husband back to the school to pick up the other one which was covered in dead leaves and ice. He brought it home and after a deep clean, it was like new as well. Now my 4 students each have a desk their size and I am able to sit across from all of them. This little tree used to be in a store my aunt owns. She gave it to me when she closed. I would LOVE some suggestions on how to use it. I know there are possibilities. It is sooo cute. The heavy duty wood chairs were FREE also from Bob Evans Restaraunt that was closing. The microwave cart was a gift from my mother-in-law for our old kitchen. I had nowhere to put it in our newer kitchen, so I use it here. I just changed out the handle to match the room. The little shelf above the table was FREE from my mom and the chair at the table I got in MN when I lived there. I think it was very inexpensive. I have had it a long time. The lamp and rolling chair were from a family friend, again FREE. The little table here was a garage sale find my mother gave me. It is a vanity table. It was missing the mirror so I used it here. It is great for holding baskets of books or displays. As you can see, my homeschool room was nearly FREE. I just used brown paint to pull all the furniture pieces together. I used leftover white paint that I added a darker blue quart of paint to to make the wall color which I LOVE. I wish I had something I have bought at the Goodwill to share, but I don't. Our Goodwills around here have nothing but junk. Michelle Michelle - I am literally drooling over your home school room! WOW! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cslbda Posted June 27, 2009 Share Posted June 27, 2009 I've gotten a lot of books from Goodwill that are used in Sonlight for only 20 cents each. I also bought Saxon Algebra 1 2003 edition from the library for 50 cents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted June 27, 2009 Share Posted June 27, 2009 Same as many--books, mostly. I did pick up some binders--one had Sonlight 5 Science still in it. I think I paid $.50 or so. Got my Childcraft books there, too. We live by Ft. Belvoir and there are often classics in the book area b/c of homeschoolers. We also got a free sleeper sofa in great condition and an overstuffed recliner. The couch was free, and the recliner was about 20 bucks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle My Bell Posted June 27, 2009 Share Posted June 27, 2009 Thank You Sherry! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anissarobert Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 Our thrift stores here always have great finds for books. I have to be selective now because I already have over 8000 books and our house is full, but in the past I would come home with tons of books. My favorite find was the complete homeschool set of Saxon Algebra for $5. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misty Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 We recently found the entire Childcraft encyclopedia set at Goodwill for $1/book. I do most of my shopping there, and have a good many such finds. Oh yes.... I've found a set of Childcrafts as well... Scooped 'em up quick! LOVE thrift stores! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsmom3tn Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 Our Goodwill stores price the books way too high :( I did get lucky, though, a while ago and found 2 copies of Bartholomew's Passage for 99¢ each, while it was still out of print. My girls like to hunt for retired Build a Bears. They have the collector's guide so they know what to look for. Between them, they've got at least 70 BAB's, and somehow still know exactly which ones they have and don't have :lol: Money has been so tight this past year, I've had to get a lot of my kids' clothes from thrift stores :( I've gotten some great deals, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 I always have wondered what happened to all of those things....and I had to go to the library for Shurley grammar and have the librarian explain to my kids what a card catalog used to be....they still don't understand what I am talking about! My librarian & I talk about the "old days" all the time! I loved card catalogs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 Slight s/o: Do you think that poorer cities (like Buffalo ;)) have less "good stuff?" I wonder if I'd have better luck farther from town, at the SA that is in a wealthier suburb? The SA & GW closest to me has very little besides clothes. Very few books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 I recently went to a somewhat nearby thrift store, that was known for having neat treasures. It looked entirely picked over and didn't have nearly so many great finds -- I found a bunch of old board games with all their pieces for under $1 each, and that was nice -- I suspect with the bad economy, people are holding on to things longer as well as shopping at such stores more frequently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 I recently went to a somewhat nearby thrift store, that was known for having neat treasures. It looked entirely picked over and didn't have nearly so many great finds -- I found a bunch of old board games with all their pieces for under $1 each, and that was nice -- I suspect with the bad economy, people are holding on to things longer as well as shopping at such stores more frequently. We've had a bad economy since the steel mills closed in the 70s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 We've found a lot of educational games at Goodwill, including: Boggle, Jr. Spelling Bee Bingo Smath (probably the best find) Lots of jigsaw puzzles We've found quite a bit to use for school at Bookman's, a secondhand bookstore here (where HS'ers get 20% off, oh the joy). Just for what we're using this semester: Drawing With Children How Children Lived. I also adore Friends of the Library book sales. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.