Financial expert reveals her seven top op shop buys

When it comes to scoring a bargain, shopping at your local secondhand shop is likely to turn up a staggering range of deals.

To prove this is the case, Australian financial expert Canna Campbell took a trip to the Salvos store located in Sydney’s Tempe to see what she could find.

In a recent YouTube clip for SugarMama TV, the mum-of-one scoured the aisles along with thrifty celebrity stylist Faye De Lanty.

While there, she found Louboutin heels for just $35, as well as martini glasses for $8 and a designer-inspired chair for a fraction of the price.

 

Australian financial guru Canna Campbell (pictured) has revealed how to shop an op shop and walk away with a plethora of bargains

1. Designer home furnishing for a fraction of the price

The savvy shopper said these chairs normally retail for $700 each - they were priced at $340 each at her local Salvation Army store

The savvy shopper said these chairs normally retail for $700 each – they were priced at $340 each at her local Salvation Army store

Canna is famed for having saved a staggering $36,000 in just 13 months – all in addition to her regular salary.

And while she’s no stranger to shopping for bargains, she also loves a chic home and so when a pair of leather Marlboro chairs caught her eye, she was delighted.

‘These normally retail for $700 each and they are priced at $340 each in Salvos,’ Canna said in a clip. 

‘They are white leather with a beautiful gorgeous leather frame. They are so chic and so classic they would go perfectly in so many homes.’

2. Shop for unopened toys and unique kids’ clothing items

Canna said it is possible to purchase secondhand toys (pictured) which are unopened from op shops

Canna said it is possible to purchase secondhand toys (pictured) which are unopened from op shops

If you need to shop for a child but don’t have a huge amount of money to spend, browsing the aisles of a secondhand store can prove a goldmine.

Canna said she’d seen racks of children’s clothing in very good condition and that she’d also come across shelves of unopened kids toys.

‘So next Christmas or next time you have to go to a kids’ birthday party, or it’s your own kids’ birthday party, head out to your local Salvation Army,’ she said.

‘Now that you know this why would you want to go to your local mall and spend 10 times the amount of money and add to more landfill.’

Unopened children’s toys cost between $5 and $15. Children’s clothing ranges between $5 and $20. 

3. Cast your eye over shelves of women’s shoes

Canna revealed how she found a pair of genuine Christian Louboutin (pictured) heels for just $35

Canna revealed how she found a pair of genuine Christian Louboutin (pictured) heels for just $35

When it comes to looking fabulous on a budget, don’t forget to scour the shelves of secondhand shoes.

The expert revealed that she found not one but two pairs of heels that she absolutely loved.

The first, a pair of burgundy suede heels, priced at $15, came with studded detail across the front and ankle strap.

Canna said these shoes had never been worn and would look ‘fantastic with a nice pair of skinny black denim jeans’.

Canna said these burgundy suede heels (pictured) would look 'fantastic with a pair of skinny black jeans'

Canna said these burgundy suede heels (pictured) would look ‘fantastic with a pair of skinny black jeans’

The second pair she found were genuine Louboutin heels for $35 in a very fashionable shade of nude.

‘Check out these Christian Louboutin heels I found. They are authentic, they are a size 36 and they are in perfect condition.

I think you would be able to sell these on eBay or Facebook groups like High End for at least $150.

‘So there are actually opportunities here to hustle up some extra cash.’

4. Shop secondhand for a stunning range of homewares

Secondhand shopping can turn up all manner of bargains, such as these martini glasses, priced at $8

Secondhand shopping can turn up all manner of bargains, such as these martini glasses, priced at $8 

If you are needing to deck out your kitchen and don’t have a lot to spend, shopping secondhand can turn up all manner of gems.

Thrifty celebrity stylist Faye De Lanty (pictured) believes you can score a range of excellent deals shopping secondhand

Thrifty celebrity stylist Faye De Lanty (pictured) believes you can score a range of excellent deals shopping secondhand

Canna revealed how she discovered three boxes of unopened martini glasses for just $8, a pasta maker in the box priced at $12 and bright red kitchen scales for $12.

‘Faye pointed out to me when you shop at these stores you often find really unique pieces that you’re not going to find in major department stores,’ Canna said.

5. Pick up camera gear for rock bottom prices

As well as being able to purchase furniture, clothing and kitchenware, remember secondhand shops also stock affordably priced camera gear.

‘If you are a budding photographer before you go an expand your collection by buying new lenses and new cameras why don’t you pop down here and have a look at what they’ve already got.

‘You’ll save yourself a tonne of money.’

Faye reports recently purchasing a secondhand Canon camera from the store in perfect working order for $85. 

Small auto-focus lenses retail secondhand for $50 while large auto focus lenses are $100 plus. 

6. Decorate your home with stunning coffee table books

Canna (pictured with thrifty celebrity stylist Faye Delanty, right) was very excited to find this coffee table book in excellent condition for a mere $25

Canna (pictured with thrifty celebrity stylist Faye Delanty, right) was very excited to find this coffee table book in excellent condition for a mere $25

What are eco stylist Faye’s top tips for op shopping? 

1. Start simply: Start with a simple plan of attack when heading to the op shop. Only look for what you would actually wear and build from there, whether that’s a white T-shirt and a good pair of jeans or a trench coat and pencil skirt.

2. Let restriction be your reinvention: Just because something was made for one reason, it doesn’t mean you can’t wear it for another. For instance, say you find a bridal corset in an op shop. What is to say this won’t work for a formal outfit? Get creative and this is what will get you the most compliments with outfits.

3. Do your homework: Get interested in fashion. Read magazines, fashion blogs and watch the catwalks. Be curious, as the more you know the more you can recreate what you see with secondhand. 

4. Be prepared with an idea in mind: While it’s good to let your mind be swayed once you’re in a store, at least for your first few trips it’s good to go in with an idea in mind of what you want to buy. 

5. Have a good dressmaker available: Faye also recommends having a good dressmaker on speed dial as tailoring a good find is less expensive than buying it new. 

6. Shop the men’s section as well: Embrace the male section for white collared shirts, over-sized blazers and cool vintage T-shirts. You might be surprised at what you find.

7. Customise outfits: Just because you’ve bought something, that doesn’t mean that it’s best as it is. Cut it up, add tassels, ribbons and various customised elements. This is what will set your outfit apart even further.

8. Look everywhere: Lastly, Faye said you should always look everywhere when op shopping as things won’t automatically be set out neatly for you. She found a gorgeous Sheike cocktail dress on the floor at Salvos’ Store in Tempe, Sydney.

Nothing adds a touch of elegance to a home more than an artfully curated selection of coffee table books.

However, buying these new can be expensive which is why it pays to take a look at what’s on offer secondhand.

One book Canna got very excited about was the Big Book of Chic – which she revealed came with the rock bottom price of just $25.

‘These can retail for between $80 to $100. This is so elegant and would look so nice on a coffee table with a candle, maybe some flowers.’

Canna added those with a savvy eye could also make some extra cash on-selling books once they’d read them.

‘I know people who sell their books through Gumtree, through eBay, through those Facebook groups.

‘You could potentially make a profit, which is fantastic.’ 



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