2009.01.02
Resources for thrifty shopping
Check out the Sunday Jan. 4 Current for a cover story about Blacksburg residents who grew up during the Great Depression and today can teach us how to live well on a tighter budget. One habit all the people I talked with shared was practicing thrifty shopping.
Find thrift and other second-hand stores in your area by clicking below.
-
Montgomery County: http://tinyurl.com/8gurye
Pulaski County: http://tinyurl.com/6vxvws
Giles County: http://tinyurl.com/7vocpt
Floyd County: http://tinyurl.com/7oemxt
Radford: http://tinyurl.com/97f7m4
Goodwill stores and donation centers: http://locator.goodwill.org or (800) 741-0186
Online shopping: Get free stuff and donate items you no longer need at freecycle.org.
Find other good bargains, including barter opportunities, at cragislist.com.
eBay.com offers used items and new items at sometimes steep discounts.
Other resources for living frugally include:
SEWING: Learn to make gifts and clothes for less money
Sewing demonstrations by Gladys
What: Introductory series begins in January
Where: Jo-Ann Fabrics, 2625 Market St., Christiansburg
Contact: Gladys Moritz, gladybags@hotmail.com
YMCA Open University
What: Offers sewing and knitting classes at various times
Headquarters: 403 Washington St., Blacksburg
Contact: 961- 9622, ymca@vtymca.org
Web: vtymca.org/courses.asp
COOKING: Use those pots and pans to save money
YMCA Open University
What: Offers cooking classes at various times
Headquarters: 403 Washington St., Blacksburg
Contact: 961- 9622, ymca@vtymca.org
Web: vtymca.org/courses.asp
Gourmet Pantry
What: Offers basic and advanced cooking classes
Where: 401 S. Main St., Blacksburg
Conatct: 951-1995, contact@gourmetpantryonline.com
Web: gourmetpantryonline.com
GARDENING: Learn to start a new garden or nurture an existing one
New River Valley Master Gardeners
What: Experts through the Virginia Cooperative
Extension
Where: 755 Roanoke St., Suite 1G, Christiansburg
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
Contact: Barry Robinson, 382-5790 or brobinso@vt.edu
YMCA at Virginia Tech
What: For a nominal fee the YMCA provides garden
plots at its community garden or solar greenhouse
Where: 403 Washington St. S.W., Blacksburg
Contact: 961- 9622, ymca@vtymca.org
Web: vtymca.org
PRESERVING FOOD: Turn all those summer vegetables into winter meals with help from experienced volunteers
Montgomery County Community Cannery
Where: Auburn High School, 4163 Riner Road, Riner
Hours: By appointment only, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Wednesdays and Saturdays July to November.
Contact: Mike Ewing, 382-9566 or
rinercannery@yahoo.com
Web: http://tinyurl.com/73c5t8
Find other Virginia canneries and get basic information on food preservation and safety: http://tinyurl.com/9xdv83
-- Tonia Moxley
