Money Matters: Smart people—truly smart people—are living better for less, and they couldn’t care less about “keeping up with the Joneses.”
They’re not cheap. They’re calculated.
They’re not broke. They’re beating the system.
And they’re doing it by cracking what I call The Thrift Culture Code.

And this isn’t grandma’s coupon game or burning gas to save pocket change.
It’s about flipping a mindset into money.
It’s about learning how to spend smarter, live freer, and put the power back in your pocket—without sacrifice.

Survey says: Between 16–18% of Americans shop at a thrift store. On average, those thrift shoppers save $150.00 every month, or $1,800 a year. Also, Cats spend 70% of their lives sleeping. It makes choosing between a cat and a rug a tough call. Just sayin’

Here is what on that portioned plate today:

😎 Our Favorite Resources
👍 5 Ways Thrift Culture Lets You Save Big While Living Large
👌 How Thrifty Parents Crush School Costs
🤷‍♀️ What’s up for next week

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Cool Links

Our favorite resources

🏬Thrift Stores

Locate a thrift store HERE.

Find a Goodwill store close to you: Find Goodwill

📱Apps

Flip your stuff into cash using an online platform.

• Ebay

• Poshmark for Android / Poshmark for Apple

• Mercari

👀ICYMI

Looking for the smart way to celebrate being debt free? Check out Debt Payoff Celebration Blueprint, now!

📜Quote

“Too many people spend money they haven't earned, to buy things they don't want, to impress people they don't like.” — Will Rogers

Today’s Main Event

5 Smart Ways Thrift Culture Helps You Stack Cash and Live Large 

You’ve got people making six figures who are dead broke because they spend like drunken sailors.

And then you’ve got janitors retiring with million-dollar portfolios.

The difference?

One group plays status games. The other group plays money games.

Thrift culture is how smart families stack cash while everyone else racks up debt trying to look rich on social media.

1. Buy Rich, Pay Poor

Why pay full price when you can let someone else do it for you? Thrift-savvy shoppers know that the best deals are found where luxury meets secondhand. Need examples? Sure thing!

• Patagonia Jackets: Retailing at $179 - I picked mine up for $26 — a savings of $153.

• Espresso Machines: A Breville Barista Touch, typically $700, was just a $34.99 Goodwill find . That's a 95% discount, leaving more beans in your wallet.

• Leather Boots: High-end boots worth over $430? Just $25 a pair.

• Kids' Bikes: Why shell out $300 for a brand-new bike when you can score quality used ones for just $100—pocketing $200 that can cover a helmet, a sturdy lock, and enough Band-Aids to survive every crash, scrape, and heroic sidewalk stunt all summer long?

Takeaway: Nothing says success like sipping espresso from a $700 machine you bought for $35.

2. Turn Clutter into Capital

Welcome to the age where your junk drawer might be your most profitable asset.
Got a closet full of old tech, mismatched mugs, clothes that "almost fit"? Congratulations—you’re sitting on a gold mine disguised as chaos.

eBay. Facebook Marketplace. Mercari. Poshmark. These aren't just apps; they’re modern-day flea markets with better lighting and fewer weird smells.

Your home isn’t just lived in—it’s loaded. That exercise bike doubling as a laundry rack? Flip it. The unopened kitchen gadgets from your “I’m gonna be a chef” phase? Sell ’em. That designer bag you haven’t used since the Obama administration? Cash out.

Thrift culture flips the script: nothing is idle, nothing is wasted.
If it’s not being used, it’s being converted—into dollars, gift cards, or at the very least, free space and dignity.

3. The “Buy Nothing” Power Circle

There’s a little-known, secret underground network on Facebook that you need to tap into right now. It's called the Buy Nothing Project—and no, it’s not a cult. But it is a gold mine for great stuff, completely free of charge.

People are literally giving away perfectly usable beds, blenders, baby clothes, and sometimes even furniture that looks like it came straight out of a magazine spread.

Think of it like this: You’re not hoarding. You’re circulating the wealth—getting what you need, while helping others declutter and feel good about it. The true power move is in the exchange.

Start tapping into the surplus, and watch your zero-dollar budget thrive.

4. Thrift Flip Side Hustles

Thrift-savvy folks aren’t just pinching pennies—they’re printing them.
While everyone else is scrolling through Instagram or arguing with strangers in the comments, these hustlers are hitting up Goodwill, yard sales, estate sales, and thrift stores like they’re treasure hunters—and walking out with loot worth flipping for cold, hard cash.

We’re talking vintage Levi’s that go for $8 and resell for $80.
Collectible toys some parent was thrilled to unload—but collectors online are willing to pay three figures for.
Power tools that work perfectly but were dropped off because “Dad finally cleaned out the garage.”
Even rare books with dust jackets and price tags that make you wonder if you’ve accidentally stumbled into a hidden vault.

You walk into a thrift store with $40.
You walk out with an armload of stuff that turns into $300 on eBay, Poshmark, or Etsy.
It’s like alchemy—but with more flannel and less eye contact.

And the best part?
As long as you're under certain thresholds, your profits are tax-free. (Until you start making serious bank—and then congrats, you're in business.)

Bottom line: thrift flipping isn’t just a hobby. It’s a legit side hustle with ROI.
And yes, technically, you’re reselling other people’s stuff—but that just makes you a minimalist with a business plan.

5. Outsourcing Gifts—Without Looking Cheap

Let’s talk about the social landmine known as gift-giving.

Birthday parties. Office white elephants. Baby showers. Your third cousin’s graduation party that you didn’t even want to attend but now you need to show up with something “thoughtful.”

You could:

• Panic-buy a $25 scented candle at a boutique.

• Grab a gift card and hope it looks intentional.

• Or… you could hit the thrift circuit like a gift-hunting ninja.

Because here’s the secret shrewd people know: thrift stores are full of brand-new, still-in-the-box gifts—for next to nothing.
Seriously, I’ve found:

• Unused kitchen gadgets.

• Decorative coffee table books.

• Designer mugs that scream “$28 at Anthropologie” but whispered “$2.99” at checkout.

Thrifted gifts aren’t cheap—they’re strategic.
They have character. They have flair. And best of all, they don’t come with a side of credit card angst.

You don’t need to drop a small fortune to impress.

You just need a good eye, a little time.

Because remember: it’s not about how much you spend—it’s about how well you spend.

School on a Budget: Outfitting Kids Without the Meltdown

Ah, the back-to-school season. It’s like the Super Bowl of parental spending. The backpacks. The lunchboxes. The new sneakers. The jeans with the “cool” designer label that will get shredded in three months. And don’t forget the $60 calculator—because, apparently, the abacus just isn’t cutting it anymore.

But thanks to Thrift Culture, you don’t have to max out a credit card to get your kid ready for school.

Tips for Thrift-School Success:

1. Shop Early
   Get there when new items hit the shelves—mid-week is often best.

2. Check “Like New”
   Look for gently used items that still have their tags on.

3. Buy in Bulk
   Look for bundles—5 T-shirts for $3 beats buying one for $10.

4. Shop Ahead for Growth
   Buy ahead for growth spurts—kids outgrow things fast.

5. Accessorize
   A cool backpack or quirky socks can make an outfit pop.

6. Set a Budget
   Plan ahead and stick to your budget to avoid overspending.

7. Host a Swap Party
   Trade clothes and supplies with friends to save even more.

In the world of thrifting, your kids get the ‘cool factor’ and you get the cash—everybody wins.

Until Next Time

What’s Up Next Week

Thrift culture lets you save big while enjoying the best of everything. Start hunting, flipping, and stacking cash—because living well doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune. What are you waiting for? Grab your bags, hit the thrift store, and start winning!

Next week, Nico dives into the world of budget planners for kids. Don’t miss this one if you want to give your kids a head start in life!

Please let us know how we did today by clicking on the survey below.

Email us with any questions!

Until next time—keep more, spend less!

Jim and the Hootsquad

DISCLAIMER: None of this is financial advice. This newsletter is strictly educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets or to make any financial decisions. Please be careful and do your own research.