I went to the goodwill store to look for jeans.

First, on the money part, I bought 5 pairs of jeans for $3.75 each! Plus, 2 tops and a nice pair of shorts. It was a "spend $25 and get $5 back" day, so all of that cost me $20.74!!

Second, I started at a size 18 jeans (even though I vowed I would never buy pants bigger than a 14, but that was many moons ago). I am now comfy in a 16 (all acquired at Goodwill).

For some reason, when I started gaining weight, I literally skipped right over size 16. I didn't wear jeans that often, and just ballooned from 14 right up to 18. So I had this stack of 16s I never got to wear (I hate trying on clothes, I buy the size and cross my fingers, but at $4 a pop, I don't feel too bad about that).

So during my weight loss, I have taken great pleasure in working my way down my stack of jeans, I had them stacked in order of tightness. It was a nice reinforcement.

Today I bought 14s and 12s to start a new stack. One pair of 14s fit, but I will hold off a little longer. A pair of 12s also fit BUT they are hip huggers with ALL kinds of belly stuff oozing out all over the place

So again, I have my little stack of jeans started, I will work my way down the stack. It is a really nice NSV that I invested $20 in. I also found a pair of 10s for $1 a few weeks ago. Sometimes I try them on to check how much stuff is squirting out But even those come up my thighs now.

And, I can buy shirts without any Xs in them now!

I love Goodwill too, but here the jeans are $6.00 pair unless they are having a sale. We don't see spend $25 get $5 back either. So unfair!!!!

The problem I have with Goodwill and now Salvation Army is that I have 20 pairs of jeans in my current size (4). I just can't stay away from these stores.

Our jeans are usually $7.49 but a certain color is half price, so I try to stick to the color of the week. I am such a cheapskate, looking for bargains at the thrift stores!

My mom is a thrift store junkie and she finds the best stuff PLUS she gets the senior discount!

I just think it is great during this weight loss phase, no point in spending big $$ for clothes that hopefully, won't fit for very long.

I always loved goodwill when I was losing weight, and spending so little made it hurt less when I had to part with the clothes that were too big. I just donated them right back!

Our jeans are $3.79 and the color of the week is half off. I have found AMAZING things at Goodwill. Honestly, I joked with them every time I visited, that I was renting their clothes.

I brought back a bag or two of things that were too large, and used the 10% off coupon to buy things that fit. I found such amazing things that I still visit, occasionally. Some of the designer suits have been fantastic bargains!!

I love Goodwill and Salvation Army that is where I bought my clothes when I was losing. I still stop in occaisionly out of force of habit. When someone asks me where I get my clothes I respond Goodies or Sallies. I think some of them are trying to locate these stores.

Another thrift store lover here. Yep, started shopping those places while losing weight and now I am hooked!

I'm jealous! The only stuff I've seen in our Goodwill is dated stuff or things that are in impossibly small sizes. My sister is teensy (size 4 or so) and she finds a lot of stuff that is in good shape, but is kind of "young" (embroidered jeans, etc) and dated. I should probably look closer, because it sounds like you guys are finding good stuff!

The secret is to go often as things turn over very quickly

I was raised shopping at Goodwill and other secondhand stores and I am always getting asked where I find my pants/shirts/jewelery/shoes. The trick is to mix vintage and new clothing in popular styles like layering. I do this and it helps hide my worst feature, my big tummy.

I <3 Goodwill. Everyone should shop there, I can buy a cartfull for $20-$40!

I also love the goodwill store....My oldest daughter is not too thrilled (13) but my youngest one loves it too (10).....we can get lots of clothes at a much smaller price and more of them. I am looking forward to getting smaller sizes and watching myself giving them back because they are too big....thanks for the inspiration ladies

Dang, you guys have such cheap jeans! Our jeans at Value Village are like $15-$20! I need to go over to the states and look. It burns my a** to pay $15-$20 for used jeans, but I suppose it's still cheaper than buying them at a regular store. I was in there a couple weeks ago, and managed to get a decent pair of 18's. Usually I have no luck, because I'm a little picky.

We have the Salvation Army and the Catholic Ladies Rummage Room. Both great places to shop. Jeans range from $2-$5. Tops from .50-$2 or $3.

The trick to finding great stuff is go early and often. For jeans I also always check the men's section, since some of the little old ladies that work these places here, often mix ladies jeans in the mens, just because they say wrangler of levi's or they're khaki with lots of pockets.

And don't forget all the items at Goodwill or Salvation Army are not used. Stores donate "old" stock , brand new stuff. Also people donate things they have received as gifts and didn't like or they have bought something they meant to return and just never got around to it. You can tell by the label if it has been washed. I have made some really great buys at these used clothing stores. One of my favorites was a brand new wool blazer that I paid $4.00 for. I recently got a pair of Gloria Vanderbilt capris, brand new, but missing a belt.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that, one of the pairs of jeans still had the tags on!

I also saw dozens of the same shirt for sale, obviously donated as an overstock item. Last trip, I found a brand new bra in my new size. It is sadly, the fanciest bra I own.