Thrifty Thursday for January 2020! (And a Couple Donation Tips!)

Happy New Year!!!  Before we left 2019 behind, I was one of those people who ran to a thrift shop not to shop, but to donate.  It made me think of a couple donation tips that I find really helpful.

-Make a general list as you pack everything into boxes or bags.  I use the ItsDeductible app from TurboTax as a guide.  (Not an ad.)  Create an account, check out what they use as different item descriptions and valuations.  Then what I  do is create a list of how many of each thing as I put it in each bag and once I finally donate it I add the entire list to an ItsDeductible donation.  Then the app will show me how much the donation is worth and how much I can expect back on my taxes.  Once I've finished with the list, I staple it to the receipt (always get the receipt) so I can see exactly how much was donated in that trip.  Added bonus, if you use TurboTax to prepare your taxes it can automatically import into the program!

-Don't donate where you shop.  This will cut down on the chances that something will find its way back into your home.

-Donate clothing that is still in wearable condition.  If something has holes or any wear (even if it came that way) will get tossed by the sorters.  It's hard to tell what rips in jeans are there because of fashion trends and which are there because someone fell while wearing them.

-Also, donate/resell more than you buy and hold yourself to it!  I got a coupon for 20% off for donating and I wasn't even tempted by it.

That being said, onto my thrifting finds!

It feels like I'm always on the lookout for a decent running backpack.  I like to have one on hand to toss a few necessities into before an OrangeTheory class because I live close enough that a run there and back on a nice day isn't too far.  I also like to have one for Boston weekend because at the very least, there's a lot of walking that weekend.  I always have grand plans that I'll run from the cowbell corner back to the T since until last year we would be at the halfway point.  (Not always easy to get back from there on the commuter rail due to the Sox game!)  This one from High Sierra was highly rated except for the bladder.  I wasn't interested in that part, so I  was fine picking this one up!  It was a last minute decision and didn't give it a once over so once I got home I found a hole in one of the seams.  No big deal, it's an easy fix and should be barely noticeable once I sew it up.

High Sierra Visalia 9L Backpack:  Originally $50, paid $4

I'm a sucker for running capris that have pockets!  Even if the pockets aren't big enough for my phone, if it can hold chews or gels that's enough for me!

Lululemon Pace Rival Crop: Originally $88, paid $6

I heard about this brand through Oiselle since they gave away pins with orders a few years ago now.  They have some really cute enamel pins that fit a variety of tastes, but at $10 each are a little pricey.  I managed to visit this different thrift store on a sale day and saved even more!

These Are Things Pins:  Originally $10 each, paid $1.30

Organizational items are pricey and SO easy to find at thrift stores.  I'm always so surprised when I  find this at a thrift store.  They're my favorite spice organizer because it looks unassuming, but then you pull out the drawer and it tilts so you can see everything!

I picked up another one of these for our little vials of sprinkles and decorating sugars for baking.  It no longer matters how high up the spices or sprinkles are because I can still see everything!

Spice Stack:  Originally $40, paid $1.50

In the wintertime, bring on all the merino wool.  I will wear all of it. Kari Traa is a three time Olympic medal skier from Norway who started the brand in 2006 and the brand came to the US in 2015.  The company makes some amazing wool layers made for an active lifestyle.  I was so excited when I found this in the racks.  I  got really lucky that day because this top in great shape and amazing! Lightweight and so warm.  Perfect for the slopes, running or lounging!

Kari Traa Vrang Long Sleeve:  Originally $75, paid $5

Any great thrifting finds?  How about any races coming up?  (I know it's still early in the year but there are still a few out there!)  Start the conversation below!

Friday Fives: Five Things I Bring to Every Race!

I'm very methodical when I prepare for a race, from training all the way to race morning.  After forgetting a few different items for race day, I've started putting what I need aside the night before into a drawstring bag that I end up leaving in my car during the race itself.  These are a few of the things that I cannot leave the house without on race morning!

1.  Road ID
It's so simple.  Mine is just a little rubber bracelet with my name, birthday, a couple important phone numbers, notable allergies and "PAUSE MY GARMIN"  There are a few different options for where to wear your Road ID, and I definitely wear this on every run outside of my house.  You never know when you might need it!  For race day, all I need to do is write "See left wrist" so if something happens a paramedic can see that and check my wrist for all the info they need.  Use the above link for $5 off your order!  Road IDs typically cost around $20.

2.  Spibelt
I don't like carrying absolutely everything in my pockets if I can help it.  My spibelt is the perfect size for a phone, car key, my Blue Q coin purse and still have space to spare.  They've started releasing some really fun prints too!  It's super comfortable and it doesn't even bounce during a run.  Spibelts start at $20.

3.  Garmin
Like I tell a lot of people:  I'm a stickler for accountability.  I use my Vivosmart HR to track daily activity and distance during boot camp classes, but my Forerunner 230 (with heart rate strap) to track my runs.  I upgrade to the Forerunner 230 this past December from the Forerunner 10 and it has been amazing.  The heart rate strap helps me see how much effort I'm putting into my runs, and there are lots of extras you can install to expand the abilities of the great little watch.  I have an Accuweather app that tells you the weather outlook for your run, various watch faces (including some that I've made with the Garmin Face-It app for my phone) and a pacer to help with race day.  Garmin has lots of GPS watches for various price points, beginning at $120 for the Forerunner 15.

4.  Throwaway water bottle with cherry limeade Nuun and a Picky Bar
The night before a race I always grab a throwaway water bottle and put in a tab of cherry limeade Nuun.  It has just a little caffeine to wake me up and helps me hydrate for the race ahead.  I also like to eat a Picky Bar before a race for a small breakfast.  They were created by athletes (Lauren Fleshman, Jesse Thomas and Stephanie Bruce) and they're pretty nutrient dense with minimal processing.  They can be found at Trader Joe's and REI and are absolutely delicious.  (I also enjoy eating them for an easy post-run snack.)  My favorite flavors are Ahh Fudge Nuts (chocolate fudge brownie with peanuts), Smooth Caffeinator (chocolate hazelnut with caffeine) and Cookie Doughpness (cinnamon raisin.)  However before a race I tend to grab the Smooth Caffeinator for a little more caffeine.  A tube of Nuun will set you back about $7, and Picky Bars retail for about $3.  (You can get bottled water really inexpensively at Trader Joe's where a whole case is less than $5.)

5.  Blue Q coin purse

This one is a little more unique, but hear me out.  Last May when I ran the St. Michael's Half Marathon it was probably some of the worst weather conditions that I've had to run in ever.  It rained the whole entire time.  I was completely soaked within the first mile.  When I was emptying my pockets in the car after the race, one thing was dry and it was this little coin purse.  I use it to carry my driver's license (you'll be ID'd for that post-race beer!), some cash and a credit card.  It's small enough that it's easy to get everything out and can still fit into that pocket in the waistband of your running pants.  These cost about $2-4 depending on the print.

What are some things that you can't leave the house without on race morning?

Bondi Band Compression Socks Review!

For those of you who don't know, I'm an ambassador for Bondi Band.  (Use the code THRIFTYBONDI10 for 10% off your next order!)  They recently sent me a pair of compression socks for free to review in exchange for my honest review.

Bondi Band is essentially known for their crazy designed headbands that are wide but really do a good job wicking sweat away.  I made my first purchase of the headbands at the Baltimore Running Festival Expo when I was there for packet pickup for my first half marathon, and since then I've been hooked!

My first bondi bands!  (Yes, I still wear these.  I love wearing the trick or treat one at the MCM 10k since it's usually the weekend before Halloween, and the Marines get a kick out of it when I get my medal at the end.)

The company's compression socks are no exception to their crazy patterns.  This is the first pair I got (I'm between sizes, and they were very big on me.)

I loved them but I was heartbroken that they didn't fit.  So after emailing their customer service, I was able to get another pair that fit me perfectly!

Finally got my #bondiband compression socks!! Took them for a quick run on the treadmill and so far, so good! Love the design too 😀 Want 10% off your next Bondi band order? Use the code THRIFTYBONDI10 . . #bondibandambassador #sweatpink #sweatpinkambassador #hshive #nuunbassador

A photo posted by The Thrifty Runner (@thethriftyrunner) on Jul 5, 2016 at 5:24pm PDT

That being said, I recommend that if you are between sizes, choose the smaller size.

One thing that I noticed when first putting them on, it was super easy!  Sometimes with compression socks, they're so tight that some people will roll them up to make putting them on easier.  This one I didn't need to do that at all!  The socks still offer a good amount of compression, but for some reason they were pretty easy to put on than others I've tried.

Another thing I noticed is that the socks don't offer a lot of cushioning, which is what I usually look for in running socks.  (I normally wear balega hidden comfort or contour, or sometimes I'll wear their enduro socks.)  I took them out for a short run (a 5k on the treadmill) and they felt totally fine.  It didn't rub weird or anything.  I definitely plan on taking these out for a longer run, or at least including them in my post-race routine.  (I like wearing compression socks or sleeves after a race to help with circulation, and it might help me with any potential muscle cramps.)

These socks cost $45 ($40.50 if you use the code THRIFTYBONDI10) on Bondi Band's website.  Still not sure?  Bondi Band products are sold in a few retail stores, and they can be found at most of the larger race expos.  (You can count on them being at bigger expos like the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler, Baltimore Running Festival, and the Marine Corps Marathon.)