Thrift-shop-hopping ranks high on my favourite pastime, and it's even more pleasurable since I'm always mooring up in different towns across the UK. I love the fact that I wander in, take a look at random things, examine them and decipher if and how they could make my simple life on my narrowboat easier. Also, it's a convenient way for me to eliminate cluttering by donating items that I no longer use.
I get so excited when I enter thrift shops because there's always that unique item that pops out at you.
Like this little birdie. I love owls as they're known for wisdom, and seeing this eyeglasses case, it's like hearing, "It's owl good" to shop secondhand to save money."
The eye-catching colour makes it easy to spot in my handbag, and it was timely since I recently broke an eyeglasses case and never got around to replacing it.
This one is in immaculate condition.
Thrift Shop Price: £1.00
RRP: Approx. £15.00 - £20.00
💰A steal of a deal!
A folding trolley is a boater's must-have.
Our trolley was broken a few months ago when a truck driver accidentally reversed into it. We never got around to replacing the item because, cos most times we only pop to supermarkets for foodstuff and not necessarily hardware shops. Also, this folding trolley is more suitable for space constraints, compared to a wheelbarrow and it's just as efficient.
This one is fully intact with safety labels and the wheels looked barely used.
Again, it's in immaculate condition overall, it's sturdy with a solid stand for loading items on the trolley, the handle is a good size to hold, and the bonus is that it came with a bungee cord to secure the items while handling.
Thrift Shop Price: £4.00
RRP: Approximately £12.00 - £20.00
💰 A reasonable deal (considering that it's difficult to find a bungee cord alone for £4.00 in any shop here in the UK).
Ooh la la! An incense wooden box!
I had a similar item like this many years ago and I've been looking for a replacement for a while now. This was fresh on my mind because I brought home some of my favourite frangipani incense sticks from Bali, which gives the boat a lovely reminder and keeps my memories of walking into the hotel lobby smelling this particular scent, fresh.
The wooden box helps to alleviate mess, as the ashes fall directly into in while burning, it's safer and convenient for me to place it at different locations in the boat, or even outside of the boat on the grass on dry days. Also, I like that this one has two cavities for me to add some aromatic scented oil.
Having scents on the boat gives it a warm soothing pleasant ambience that complements the woody smell from my wood burner during these winter months.
Thrift Shop Price: £3.00
RRP: Approx. £7.50 - £20.00
💰A bargain, considering that it's solid wood.
Towns across the UK are saturated with Thrift and Charity Shops, that dictate the way many people shop and also the future of regular high street businesses.
I try not to get sucked into consumerism, while living simply and frugally, with essential comforts, so when asked the question if thrift and charity shops are a good idea, I'd say, it's 'owl' good for me.