You never know what treasures you might find at a thrift store. One enthusiastic Reddit user shared his joy at discovering a KitchenAid mixer.
“Found it upside down on the bottom shelf,” they wrote in the community r/ThriftStoreHauls. The poster added that they had never owned one before and seemed grateful to the man who showed them how to use it. A price tag reveals that the blender sold for $19.99. New blenders usually cost hundreds of dollars.
“I can’t wait for the Christmas cookies!” they cried.
Second-hand shopping is an increasingly popular activity and has many benefits for the environment and your wallet. For example, the fashion and clothing industry alone generates 8 to 10% of climate-damaging pollution annually. In 2021, the sector emitted more than 980 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, according to Statista, and experts predict that this figure will rise to 1.4 billion by 2030 without changes.
Secondhand items—from textiles to household goods—also help keep trash out of overcrowded landfills. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 292.4 million tons of trash were generated in landfills in 2018—23.7 million more than in 2017. Considering that the average person throws away nearly five pounds of trash every day, thrift stores make a significant difference.
A food processor, clothing and decor aren’t the only things you can find. A thrift store owner found a Herman Miller Aeron office chair, normally priced at $1,800, for $18.
Add up half the items you buy new each year, and you can save about $100 by purchasing the items at a thrift store instead.
Of course, a working KitchenAid stand mixer is a cause for celebration, and other Reddit users were equally excited about this unique discovery.
“Great find at a great price,” one person commented.
“I’m still waiting for that day to happen to me. Thanks for sharing – it gives me hope,” said another Redditor.
One commenter wrote: “It might be worth taking it to a garage to get it cleaned and touched up inside” – especially if it’s older.
After the original poster finally shared that they had named the new blender Brenda, a Redditor affectionately dubbed it “Blenda,” which made the OP even happier.
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