It’s important to be frugal these days, but being smart with money doesn’t necessarily mean quality has to be sacrificed.

Thrift stores are an alternative worth considering when purchasing shopping, and fortunately, there are many throughout the San Fernando Valley that cater to various consumer tastes.
Tuesday Morning
10130 Mason Ave.
Chatsworth, CA 91311
(818) 882-7677
Hours:
Monday through Saturday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Combine the aisles of the house ware sections at Ross, and the ones at Bed, Bath and Beyond, and that’s the way Tuesday Morning in Chatsworth looks like. Those looking for home décor, pillows, shower rods and miscellaneous home essentials may want to consider checking out this thrift shop. It caters to consumers who want to enhance their homes, but the best deals here are in kitchenware. Cooking utensils generally range from $3 to $10, and a set of gloves and an apron cost $15.

Buffalo Exchange
14621 Ventura Blvd.
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
(818) 783-3420
Hours:
Monday through Thursday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Finding deals on the latest trends for both women and men is effortless at Buffalo Exchange, located on Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oaks. From blouses and purses to leather jackets and denim jeans, fashionistas are sure to find appealing apparel at an affordable cost. Although much clothing at this thrift shop is used, they look brand new. Women’s tees generally fall in the $10 range, and most tops cost less than $20. For men, flannel shirts usually cost around $15; leather jackets are priced at around $30. Shoes, purses, and jewelry are also among the merchandise sold at Buffalo Exchange. The store is definitely worth a visit. The employees are accommodating, and customers can donate five cents to charity by simply asking the cashier not to provide a plastic bag upon purchase.

MTA Thrift Store
6735 Van Nuys Blvd.
Van Nuys, CA 91405
(818) 988-3361
Hours:
Monday through Saturday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

MTA Thrift Store is somewhat similar to Goodwill, except it has an array of commodities, from vintage clothing to collectible items. It also has a good – though limited – selection of reasonably priced, second-hand furniture. For instance, dresser and mirror sets typically hover around $70. Kitchen essentials are relatively cheap, such as mugs for 50 cents, and glass plates from $2.50 to $5. Other items include printers, books, records, video cassette tapes, lamps, shoes, paintings, games and electronics. Clothing can start from as low as $2, and although apparel is evidently second-hand, it just takes a little digging to find new clothes.

Valley Indoor Swap Meet
14650 Parthenia St.
Panorama City, CA 91402
(818) 892-0183
Hours:
Monday through Friday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (closed on Tuesdays)
Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Enter a swap meet with a more relaxing atmosphere at Valley Indoor Swap Meet. While there’s a bit of a bustle on the weekends, shopping here isn’t too bad because it’s indoor, and hence gives shopper’s a climate controlled environment. A wide array of merchandise is available at the location in Panorama City, including clothes, shoes, cologne, luggage, scooters, jewelry, watches, cosmetics, and food. While pricing on clothing isn’t too competitive (women’s blouses are priced at about $15; Men’s suits typically cost less than $100), some of the fashion is somewhat refreshing – different from what’s sold throughout malls.

Some other nice items for sale include furniture. Microfiber sofa beds, for instance, are sold at a reasonable cost for no more than $300. Food and drinks are found indoors, as well, for shoppers to re-energize.

People seeking help with taxes, manicures, pedicures and haircuts can obtain these services at this indoor swap meet.

This place is close to a one-stop shop for a thrifty shopper’s needs.