As a wife, mother, mompreneur and business owner, quality and affordability are important to me. Thrift stores can sometimes be overlooked but is a great asset for families and shoppers on the hunt for unique and hard-to-find items. Goodwill stores are a terrific resource for parents looking for back-to-school savings and school-related products. At the same time, shopping at Goodwill is a way to teach children to give back to their community.
We recently visited our local Goodwill Industries of Central Florida store with our 8 year old twins and learned 3 top reasons to go (back-to-school) shopping at Goodwill.
1. Brand name clothing without brand name prices
Goodwill carry heavily discounted clothing that allow consumers to save money on everyday merchandise, including brand name clothing. Out-of-print and vintage pieces of major designers like Vera Wang, Gucci, and Chanel are available at very affordable prices. Often new clothing, with price tags still attached, are easily found. For example, we found a children’s’ size Polo by Ralph Lauren shirt that was originally $3.49. However, when we went to check out at with the cashier, the final total for the shirt was reduced to $1.99. Affordability + Brand Name Clothing = BIG WIN!
2. Kids will want to shop too
Its easy to shop at Goodwill with your kids because everything is categorized. Clothes, toys, books, shoes, electronic, bags, etc. were all properly labeled, sectioned and within reach (even for kids). We found clothing separated by color, which makes it simple to color coordinate a child’s outfit. With all the products being so accessible at Goodwill, the twins were actually helping to find their size and pick out clothing they liked. The entire process of shopping at Goodwill lets your kids define their unique style and use shopping at Goodwill as a teaching moment to guide them toward positive ways to help others, while managing a family budget.
3. Teaching the importance of giving back
Kids these days are socially and environmentally conscious young people eager to serve their communities. When I walked in the door, I noticed the sales sign indicating the items that were 50% off throughout the store. When my 8-year-old twins walked in the door, they noticed the sign on the fitting room door saying by shopping at Goodwill, we were helping someone get a job. The statement made an impact on the twins. They immediately understood the importance that our shopping trip was helping someone else. When you shop at or donate to Goodwill, you help keep items out of landfills and help people find jobs. Goodwill sells donations in its stores to help fund programs that help people build their careers, earn paychecks and care for their families.
Donating and shopping at Goodwill funds job training and placement programs that help Central Floridians with barriers to employment. This includes people who have disabilities, those with limited work history, military veterans transitioning to civilian jobs and others. In 2015, Goodwill served about 42,000 people in its Job Connection Centers across Central Florida! With convenient drop-off sites and dozens of stores in neighborhoods near you, it’s easy to make a donation … and to make a lasting impact in your community.
Thanks to our friends at Goodwill, we are giving away a $25 Goodwill gift card to help you with your back-to-school shopping and help support our communities! One winner will be chosen at random. No purchase necessary. You can enter the giveaway more than once using the Rafflecopter entry form below.
For more information or to find a location near you, visit Goodwill Industries of Central Florida goodwillcfl.org
Facebook: facebook.com/goodwillcfl
Twitter: @goodwillcfl
Instagram: instagram.com/goodwillcfl
For more back-to-school content on Mami of Multiples, visit http://bit.ly/mombts
Happy Back-To-School Shopping!
Disclosure: This post is a sponsored by Goodwill Industries of Central Florida, however, all opinions are our own.
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Joscelyn, Owner of Mami of Multiples & Mami Innovative Media
Joscelyn Ramos Campbell has more than a decade of experience as an award-winning former federal government public relations executive under the Bush and Obama administrations.
The “super-connected power mom“ was recently named by Latina Magazine as one of “The 10 Best Latina Mommy Bloggers on the Web“; by CBS News as one of the “Top Bloggers in the Business“; by NBC Latino Work-Life Balance series as a “Top Latina Mom Blogger“; an Empowering Latina in the Marketing Field; by CNBC.com as a Top Latino Social Media Stars and Leading Hispanic Bloggers.
She is the owner of Mami Innovative Media and founder of Mami of Multiples, one of the nation’s leading Latina American parenting and lifestyle sites offering resources and helpful tips for families. She is a nationally syndicated Parenting Columnist and co-hosts a Talk Radio Show.
Joscelyn is a public speaker, military wife and mother to a teen son and identical twin boys. Connect with Joscelyn at @JoscelynRC & @InnovativeTalk.
Latest posts by Joscelyn, Owner of Mami of Multiples & Mami Innovative Media (see all)
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rich morris says
https://plus.google.com/108729574073075915172/posts/hCxGcuzYats
Sherril McGann says
Goodwill employs people that might not otherwise have a job.
Leidy Ruiz says
I found it interesting that you can get extra discounts, I did not now about the Color of the Week discount until now, thank you for sharing and for the giveaway
Leidy Ruiz says
subscribed to your newsletter
Rebecca Graham says
I like that I can buy name brand clothing at a steep discount.
April says
I learned that you can buy name brand clothing there!
Karen Glatt says
I learned that Goodwill has high quality clothes that are sold at a fraction of the cost!
Karen Glatt says
I commented on this blog post Name Karen Glatt
Tips for Choosing and Using Organic Groceries
Karen Glatt says
I liked your Facebook page and Liked the Goodwill post.
Karen Glatt says
I Liked the Goodwill Central Florida Facebook Name Karen Glatt and commented that you sent me!
Comment link-https://www.facebook.com/goodwillcfl/posts/10157214475180366?comment_id=10157215298655366&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R%22%7D
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I lfollow you on Pinterest-name karenglatt
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I Liked Mami Innovative Media on Facebook-Name Karen Glatt
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jeremy mclaughlin says
subscribed to newsletter
Tara says
I love that you can find brand-name clothing for a steal!
Kimberly Hilbert says
Its nice to find brand name clothing in your size at Goodwill. I go to Goodwill first to find my business casual clothes for work. I’ve found a good many there and looking nearly new.
diane says
Would save me alot of money
Debbi Wellenstein says
It was interesting and enlightening to hear about the different discounts at Goodwill.
Tim D says
i buy my clothing and moives and model cars at goodwill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mary Beth Elderton says
I love Goodwill shopping. I am glad to hear that kids love it, too. I am also glad to be reminded of the “color” discounts.
Mary Beth Elderton says
I’m an email subscriber
Mary Beth Elderton says
I like you on FB as Mary Beth Elderton and liked the Target giveaway post.
shelly peterson says
Liked the Mami of Multiples Facebook Page and “Liked” the Target Back-To-School $100 giveaway post under Shelly Peterson.
shelly peterson says
Liked the Goodwill Central Florida Facebook Page and commented https://www.facebook.com/goodwillcfl/photos/a.10150230360890366.469277.202323435365/10157216416090366/?type=3&comment_id=10157217522845366&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R%22%7D
shelly peterson says
shared
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shelly peterson says
I like that you can buy brand name clothes there.
Susan Smith says
I like that I can buy name brand clothing at a steep discount. I have bought some nice brand name jeans for $7 at Goodwill.
Susan Smith says
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/185773553358823746/
Theron Willis says
Good cheap deals for me and my two daughters.
Hope to win!
Cynthia Mercado says
Shopping at Goodwill helps with employing people and keeping our landfills less crowded.
Tammy Woodall says
Shared giveaway on Pinterest – https://www.pinterest.com/pin/140526450852187949/
Theresa Jenkins says
FB liked and Liked” the Target Back-To-School $100 giveaway posted on the Facebook
Theresa Jenkins says
Shared >>>https://plus.google.com/u/0/+TheresaJenkins11/posts/avAF77h3LAA
Tammy Woodall says
I Liked and commented on Goodwill Industries of Central Florida Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/goodwillcfl/photos/a.10150230360890366.469277.202323435365/10157216416090366/?type=3&comment_id=10157226542905366&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R%22%7D
K-Squared says
I liked the Goodwill Central Florida Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/goodwillcfl/.
Shared this via Facebook, twitter, newsletter (my own business) and shared it with friends, family etc thru email….
K-Squared says
I ike the Mami of Multiples Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/mamiofmultiples and “Like” the Target Back-To-School $100 giveaway posted on the Facebook Page.
K-Squared says
I had actually had (my entire life) all my clothes purchased from this business… It’s wonderful that I actually be able to afford that of new clothes that in which I presently, the most new was purchased from Good Will about 3 mon ago as I had to see a doctor!
To this I learned or found to be this is a great asset for families and shoppers on the hunt for unique and hard-to-find items and in my case that of back-to-school shopping Goodwill!
Letessha says
newsletter subscriber
eva andrew says
I have shopped at the Good Will for years now…always where my daughter and I go first for back to school deals.
elizabeth miller says
sunscribed to newsletter
elizabeth miller says
liked target giveaway
elizabeth miller says
I found it interesting the amount that they give back.
elizabeth miller says
liked Goodwill Central Florida but it would not let me post
Heather D says
My mother introduced me to Goodwill. They have some great deals. Thats so helpful for a mom on a budget.
Jean says
I love shopping at Goodwill. It is nice to know that you save a lot of money and also help employ people.
Ed says
Often new clothing, with price tags still attached, are easily found.
Carolsue says
I liked you on Facebook and liked the giveaway posts
Carolsue Anderson
Carolsue says
I learned Goodwill served about 42,000 people in its Job Connection Centers. It’s a great place to shop.
Carolsue says
Shared on Pinterest
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Jacquelyn Burns says
I learned that by my donations, or shopping, I am helping others.
emmy says
Love that in addition to Goodwill’s great prices they have tag sales. That’s so great!
Jennifer Reed says
What I learned about shopping at Goodwill for back to school shopping is that Goodwill sells donations in its stores to help fund programs that help people build their careers, earn paychecks and care for their families.
Jennifer Reed says
I follow you on Instagram under @hobjen.
Philip Lawrence says
I liked the sites required for Miami of Multiples.
Sarah Hall says
I found it interesting that the twins realized they were helping other people by shopping at Goodwill.
Verna Cunningham says
I love Goodwill. Growing up in New York, our church would organize clothing and household items drives where we would eat and bring items to donate to Goodwill. Given the amount of people in the city, the Goodwill stores always had expensive clothes (that were either new or barely used) available for $10.00 and under. They were really beautiful clothes and the stores often looked like a regular retail. I think its great that you are encouraging your children to be community minded and to give back to others. Its a blessing.
Verna Cunningham says
I liked the post on Facebook on Mami of Multiples Facebook page and I liked the Goodwill’s Facebook page.
Verna Cunningham says
I have been an email subscriber since 2013.
Nicole Carter says
I learned that you can get great quality items at outstanding prices for back to school at Goodwill.
Nicole Carter says
I liked you and liked the post on Facebook as Nicole Carter Weasley
Nicole Carter says
I liked them and left a comment on their on page as Nicole Carter Weasley
Nicole Carter says
Shared on Twitter
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katie says
I found it interesting that over 40,000 were assisted by Goodwill services last year!
Kathy Pease says
I love that you can get brand name clothing at cheap prices and find many great bargains
Kathy Pease says
netvibes rss subscriber kathypease@gmail.com
Kathy Pease says
shared https://plus.google.com/109900917725528771140/posts/TddWMnQxNCD
Jerry Marquardt says
I learned that shopping at Goodwill can save a lot of money on really nice and high quality slightly used goods at bargain prices.
Jerry Marquardt says
I liked the Facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/mamiofmultiples/photos/a.10150111821087331.278805.329891327330/10153623056557331/?type=3&theater
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I am a confirmed subscriber to your blog’s newsletter.
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I commented on your contributor’s review: http://www.mamiofmultiples.com/boppybloom/#comment-123077
Jerry Marquardt says
I Liked the Target Facebook and left comment at: https://www.facebook.com/goodwillcfl/posts/10157237563490366?comment_id=10157240450015366&comment_tracking={%22tn%22%3A%22R%22}
Jerry Marquardt says
I shared this Page on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/575475658619498826/
LaTanya T says
5, Goodwill served about 42,000 people in its Job Connection Centers across Central Florida
LaTanya T says
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/232639136980659460/
LaTanya T says
like you on facebook and liked goodwill post
Tammy Woodall says
I learned that Goodwill offers top name brand items for great prices. I also learned that Goodwill helps with job training and placement programs, including people who have disabilities.
Vicki D. says
I found that on Tuesdays certain color items are $1.99.
laurie murley says
I learned you can find a lot of name brand clothing at good will stores
Lily Kwan says
What I found interesting is that everything at Goodwill is categorized.
Lily Kwan says
I subscribed by email.