Thrifting Love Part 1 with @phipsiq3

A Thrifters love for thrifting runs deep. So deep, in fact, that it would seem necessary for a Thrifters significant other to also appreciate that #ThriftLife

James and I have thrifted together our entire relationship, always complete disclosure of our thrift love. Still, this doesn’t keep me from feeling guilty when I spend hours in a thrift store, or spending more than anticipated on a huge haul I may not have needed. I imagined if James was not a Thrifter himself, there would always be this elephant in the room.

A big, heavy, thrifted brass elephant, obviously.

This got me curious. How do other relationships balance that deep love of thrifting? Are there disagreements about buying new vs. used? What about the hauls? And what about those couples that take their love for thrifting and turn it into a business?

This month on Thrift Ethics, I am excited to speak with some of my favorite thrifty couples for this 2 part ‘Thrifting Love’ post: Derrick and Twyla doing their thrift challenges on @phipsiq3

And Ana and Panda, the couple behind @intersections.clothing.co selling “accessible, inclusive, intersectional secondhand fashion” on Depop and Poshmark.

Thrifting with @phipsiq3

Thank you Derrick and Twyla for having this discussion with me. I really enjoy those Spouse Thrift Challenges you do in Instagram!

How did the Spouse Thrift Challenge get started?

It was a concept we thought would engage our followers and their partners to thrift while spending time with one another. We felt that a challenge would allow their creative "juices" to come through.

Is thrifting something you two usually do together? Would you say you're similar Thrifters?

We do thrift together at times but I would say that I am the person that is the compulsive Thrifter. When we thrift together we typically have a budget. My wife is a Thrifter that if she likes it, it fits and is the right price, she buys it. I normally have an idea of what i need. We are totally different when it comes to thrifting! Since I am in stores 2-3 times a week, I don't need a lot of time finding items and putting ideas together. My wife could spend hours in the store putting ideas and items together as she is the non compulsive Thrifter!

Does it ever feel like it’s too much thrifting?

For me, that's a BIG FAT NO! My wife may have a different take on it than me. Since she does the family budget and tracks our expenses she has occasionally expressed to me that we need to cut down on the daily thrift store "stops" on the way home from work.

Any stories of hiding thrift hauls?

Yes, there have been times that I have hid a pair of shoes or "conveniently" left thrifted pieces in the car. It's totally juvenile being we have a joint account and she can see everything that I thrift.

Alright, that answer had me giggling a bit! It's funny, the thrifting we try to get away with. Has thrift shopping led to disagreements?

YES. When i first started my IG page, I was obsessed with growing followers. I was constantly Thrifting, posting, commenting, liking and watching videos while ignoring my wife and her needs. She felt neglected and second to my passion of Thrifting and inspiring others.

My advice is: IG isn't worth your marriage or making your partner feel neglected.

Were you two Thrifters before meeting one another? Or, has one been the thriftspiration that led the other into the thrift lifestyle?

No. I never was big on name brands but I have always been a bargain shopper. I would shop the Ross/ Marshall's type of stores. My wife was the same way. She does love name brands but that wasn't something that was important to her.

What do you love most about each other, and thrifting?

I love how he makes me laugh without trying and his consideration and thoughtfulness. I love Thrifting because I get an adrenaline rush out of getting a really nice piece for dirt cheap!

What I love most about my wife is her fight and dedication to our marriage. She fights for our love when there are times I am being a complete idiot! The thing I love about Thrifting is the ability to be unique and different while saving money. I believe in STYLE not TRENDS!

Thank you so much Derrick and Twyla for sharing your lessons with us on Thrift Ethics! You can follow Twyla on her passion at @simplyplanning_ And of course, catch the couples Thrifted Spouse Challenges on @phipsiq3

Thanks for joining us Thrifters for Part 1 of ‘Thrifting Love.’ Continue to learn along on Thrift Ethics as we interview Ana and Panda of @intersections.clothing.co as they discuss with us their relationship with thrifting as a business and the role of thrifting in their relationship.

See you on the feed Thrifters.