Some say junk collecting. Some say thrifting. Whatever it may be, I say bring it on. Bring on the super finds and the price tags that leave you feeling like a thief. Bring on the history and the uniqueness. Bring on the craftsmanship and the savings. Bring on the eco-goodness.

The whole wide world of thrift shopping has got me excited. Very excited. Never in my wildest thoughts did I ever expect to get all caught up in the art of finding. It’s becoming an addiction, really it is.

Set aside the thrill of the hunt, the satisfaction of scoring some rare vintage object for dirt cheap, and the monetary savings. Buying second-hand is a mega green move.

Indeed.

Loosening the grip of consumerism, tightening the purse strings and going green has me crazy for second hand goods. That’s right, I’m glowing with thrifting glory and there’s some junk in my trunk.

This is big for me. Huge, actually.

I like nice things, specifically shiny things in pretty packages. Other than books and cars, I’ve spent most of my life buying new things. I was never a fan of antiques, garage sales or thrift stores. I didn’t even set foot in Value Village for a funky Halloween costume. I was completely ignorant to the world of second hand.

Then the wee dude was born and we went from dual income to one income. To lessen the costs associated with parenthood I started perusing the racks of consignment stores for baby clothes. Most of our baby gear came from online buy and sell sites and gifted second-hand items from loved ones.

Long story short, motherhood, unemployment, lovely thrifty friends and home ownership got me thinking. I reached the conclusion that life can be lived (and enjoyed) without breaking the bank. The length of time it took to reach this conclusion is rather embarrassing but… what is a girl to do? Move on. Shop on (just inexpensively).

Out there pounding the pavement, there are many options for the junk collector in you. There are garage sales, yard sales and swap meets. There are antique shops and thrift stores galore. There is even the oddity of a curbside free pile. You just never know what you will find on any given day.

Yes, there are times where you constantly come up empty, but then that one awesome find has you skipping like a school girl and basking in the guilty pleasure that you got more for less.

Oh yeah.

For people without the time to scour thrift shop after thrift shop, the Comox Valley has places that do the finding for you. Freakin’ Coffee Shop isn’t all about fabulous coffee and funky music. They have an eclectic mix of vintage furniture, dishware and other cool objects for sale. Blue Toque Sports Swap hosts a wide variety of sports gear including surf boards, bikes, hiking boots, athletic clothing, and dive gear. For kid’s clothing Podlings (formerly Little Me), Planet Kids, The Patch and St. Joseph’s Hospital Cottage Thrift Shop are great places to start.

For home maintenance and renovations there are a number of options. The ReStore is the pearl within the oyster. That place is packed with home goodies such as leftover paint, bathtubs, sinks, furniture, and flooring. Proceeds from sold items help to fund Habitat For Humanity homes built in our area. Green and humanitarian, what’s not to loose?

Walker’s Scrap Metal is a well-hidden gem. Now for this place, you definitely need to sport some grubby jeans and be fully prepared to get dirty. It’s definitely not for the faint of heart thrifter.

It’s one of those man places where scrap metal is abundant. Dust, dirt and grime are king. Searching through mile-high piles of items, you can be lucky enough to find vintage bikes, bicycle parts, lawnmowers, flowerpots, deck chairs and even a kitchen sink (or two). The best part about Walker’s is that your imagination just runs wild within its gates.

The spouse spends more time at The Yard (as we’ve lovingly termed it) than he cares to admit. He is most definitely a member of the packrat family, but some of his finds make the endless junky feel of our property worthwhile. Almost. Not at all. But the excitement does briefly alleviate my need for order!

Traveling south, Demxx Deconstruction in Coombs is worth the trip. These guys have reused building materials galore. It is definitely at the top of my family’s list as we slowly make our way through the crazy world of home renovation.

With the click of the mouse, you can easily find used items from the comforts of your home. The Internet is filled with online buy and sell sites like Craigslist, eBay and Used Victoria. The possibilities are endless.

Reclaiming used items and reusing building materials reduces landfill waste and costs far less than the purchase of shiny new items and materials. It also decreases the use of new resources and supports small business.

Plus, there’s something about reclaiming, recycling and reinventing things. The art of finding is about being creative and utilizing your resources. It’s also about sticking it to the big box stores (if you’re so inclined).

My goodness. There is most definitely some good previously owned stuff out there. Second-hand swag is ripe for the picking in this valley of ours. It’s all there waiting to be found. So, go… get your thrift on. Get your green on.

Vintage-land is calling.

All photos and content © B. Clempson