Thrift Store Shopping For A YEAR! ~ Sparkly Polliwog

Trying to save the planet has put a huge damper on my wardrobe.

Before going "Green" I used to LOVE going shopping and getting new clothes! Now I can't pick something new off the rack without these thoughts running through my head:

- How many pesticides were sprayed to make this? Did you know that cotton is considered the world's dirtiest crop due to its heavy use of insecticides, the most hazardous pesticide to human and animal health?

- How much water did it take to make this? Did you know that it takes about 1,800 gallons of water to grow enough cotton to produce just one pair of regular ol' blue jeans?

globaldimension.org

- Did kids and/or adults have to endure hours of work in a sweat shop to make this? Did you know that according to laborrights.org, the official inductees of the 2010 Sweatshop Hall of Shame were: Abercrombie and Fitch, Gymboree, Hanes, Ikea, Kohl’s, LL Bean, Pier 1 Imports, Propper International, and Walmart?

waronwant

- Were animals hurt to make this? You might already know about the abuse animals have to go through to make fur and leather, but do you know about the animals who suffer so you can have wool, cashmere, angora, silk and down? You can read about it here: Global Action Network

www.happycow.net

Let's just say that my shopping trips never end with me buying much. Good for the earth, animals and my wallet, not so good for my wardrobe. After years of empty shopping bags and a closet full of organic t-shirts from Whole Foods, I have decided to try something new.

This year I am determined to look as good on the outside as I feel on the inside without buying any "NEW" clothes. It's time for me to stop putting a label on what I think a "GREEN" person should look like.

How am I going to dress up my life without buying any new clothes for a whole year?

The thrift store!

Did you know:

- The Salvation Army is a non-governmental relief agency and is usually among the first to arrive with help after natural or man-made disasters.

- Goodwill's numbers for 2011:

People served through employment and training programs: 4.2 million
Mission services provided: 107 million
People who earned a job with Goodwill’s help : 189,000
Estimated total earnings of people who earned a job with Goodwill’s help: $2.95 billion
Personal and family support services provided: 10 million
Total revenue generated by Goodwill organizations: $4.43 billion
Total revenue spent directly on programs: 82 percent
Total number of donors (includes repeat donations): 79 million
Total number of retail stores: Over 2,650 and an online auction site,

- Retail sales for Goodwill in 2011: $2.59 billion! That's a lot of money to help people in need!

- The Salvation Army's Adult Rehabilitation Centers are 100% funded from the proceeds of the Family Stores, allowing them to be self-sustaining.

- The Salvation Army is deeply committed to the modern-day fight against human trafficking (for sexual and labor purposes) and forms of commercial sexual exploitation innately linked to sexual trafficking.

- The Salvation Army provides Group homes, emergency shelters, and transitional living centers for people in need.

- The Salvation Army's red Kettle at Christmas brings in millions of dollars each year to aid needy families, seniors, and the homeless.

Go to their websites to read more about all the good they do:

Salvation Army

Goodwill

Shopping at the Salvation Army or Goodwill helps a lot more than just the environment. After doing research on thrift store shopping, I was in total awe by the amount of people they help. I love the idea of not buying anything new, giving to people in need, saving money and stocking up my wardrobe all at the same time!

After telling my husband about my idea of not buying anything new for a year, the first thing he said was, "What about all the people that NEED the clothes? Aren't you just taking from the poor?" My response to that is.......... I have NEVER seen a thrift store that was out of clothes! Usually the racks are so packed its hard to look at what is there. I also always bring any clothes or furniture we don't want or need back to the Salvation Army or Goodwill. It's like I am paying to borrow it for awhile. :)

You might be thinking, "Isn't shopping at the thrift store dirty?"

Do you remember the bed bug outbreak at Juicy, Hollister, Abercrombie, and Victoria's Secret?
Do you wash your new clothes when you get home?
I always come home from the thrift store and throw all the clothes into the washer and dryer before wearing them. The dryer will kill any bedbugs or other living creatures that may be lurking in the clothes. If the clothing item is dry clean only, you can get Dryel bags that can be put in the dryer before you wear them.

* There are a few items I won't be buying at the thrift store this year: underwear, bra's, bathing suits, socks and shoes.

I hope this has inspired you to shop more, save more, give more, and WASTE LESS. Don't be "green" for yourself.......be green for your kids, and their kids, and their kids, and their kids. We only have one Earth, let's not wait for someone else to clean it up.

My year of not buying any new clothes began on Feb. 14th, 2013. I will keep you updated with my awesome finds! Please join me in my year of shopping, giving, sharing, saving and loving.

Alone we are weak, together we are strong!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo