By Barbara Tobias NABBW’s Thifting Associate What do Barb Tobias (The “Thrift Talk” Diva), Tori Spelling and Carol Burnett have in common? We all have yard sales!  Yes, it is true.  Six degrees of separation be damned!  I’m in good stead. I was stunned to learn, after reading numerous reports on People.com, Omg.com, and Thefrisky.com, that real celebrities were raising serious money through holding all types of sales; garage sales, tag sales, yard sales, porch sales, divorce sales, downsizing sales, moving sales…and are now moving into the corridors of high-rise apartment buildings... Read More

The Art of Garage-Sale “Barbgaining”                               By Barb Tobias NABBW’s Thrifting Expert People repeatedly ask where I shop to find such fabulous finds. The answer is … everywhere. Smart shopping is not whether you can find extraordinary things at local garage sales; rather it is a question of how and when you buy. So, let\’s talk about “the deal.” Bargaining or negotiating the price of items is expected when shopping resale; garage sales, yard sales and estate sales, typically on the last day. The trick... Read More

Thrifting For Savvy Shoppers By Barb Tobias NABBW’s Thrifting Expert Most of us have less cash to burn these days, so buying other folks castoffs is a great way to save a buck … particularly when searching for short-term items. The Internet, specialty shops, bookstores, and going out of business sales carry drastically reduced items that are perfectly good for occasional needs or events. Moms-To-Be While some pregnant celebrities bare their bellies for posterity, the majority of expectant mothers are concerned with being covered and comfortable. Most can squeak by for three or four... Read More

The Bustling Thrift Scene … from Dicey to Divine By Barb Tobias NABBW’s Thrifting Expert As the economy spiraled downward, Americans tightened their belts and secondhand shops made their move onto Main Street. Spencer James, lead writer of the Brigham Young University Study, states that thrift shopping increases when the economy slows, and that middle class families are shopping at thrift stores with the same regularity as lower income families. The study goes on to suggest that while high-income shoppers scour the secondhand market for antiques and unique finds, the average family is... Read More

Christmas Decorating with the Thrift Talk Diva By Barb Tobias, NABBW’s Thrifting Expert I know, I know. It\’s just November…I mean the Thanksgiving stuff isn\’t out and my holiday meal isn\’t even organized. Yet, here I am planning my Christmas decorations. My rationalization is this … it takes me a month or two to orchestrate the festive bedecking of my home in the spirit of frugal yet chic décor. I enjoy this creative holiday endeavor, and dive into producing grand arrangements with gusto. After all, I am a collector of orphans … the savior of parts … creatively... Read More

Fifteen Reasons to Fall in Love with Thrift… Cheap Doesn’t Need to be Chintzy By Barb Tobias NABBW’s Thrifting Expert I’ve been gleefully shopping thrift for over 30 years.  But, I’ve been wearing thrift since I grew from toddler to teen … from the proverbial hand-me-downs to the secondhand gown my mother bought me when I was voted Homecoming Queen.  Needless to say, having to live on the cheap for so long, I abhorred anything thrifty during my formative years. After I was married and on the rebound from my frugal years, I only bought new; determined not to live a life filled... Read More

Thrifty Christmas Decorating By Barb Tobias, NABBW’s Thrifting Expert I am a collector of orphans…the savior of parts.  I love to put together all the unloved pieces that people throw away and make masterpieces.  And, no season brings more opportunity than the holiday season. I begin my decorating by pulling out all my Christmas finds and begin sorting, purging and grouping “orphaned” items that will be used to fashion holiday displays. This year I made a splendid centerpiece from odds and ends collected throughout the year from various thrift venues…garage sales, flea markets... Read More