I don’t do big box shopping on Black Friday, or Boxing Day or any kinda day that promotes the hell out of some crazy sales. I am not a big box store shopper and plan my visits to the grocery store very strategically. I am not a typical consumer.

I was feeling myself on Black Friday so I ventured up to the new Value Village Boutique store on Granville Street. It was my third visit and each visit keeps getting better. The selection and the pricing and the staff make a shopping trifecta this thrifting addict loves.

I did my usual laps and selected a few things inside of my $25 budget. I always shop with a budget and this is often the number that is my MAX when I thrift. I made my laps and then went around again. I found a couple of things that would have pushed my budget so I left them on the wrack.

I finally decided to head to the cash and the clerk was free, no. line up. This location has self-serving registers but I hate those at VV, I love them at the grocery store so I always choose to get in line with a person. This time it really paid off. The clerk asked me if I had received their email today. I didn’t spend a lot of time on my phone that morning so I logged into my email. There was no line so I opened a coupon that gave me 30% off I did a quick calculation and grabbed the one item that would have pushed me over budget and let him ring me in.

I scored a pair of Balenciaga Jeans for $7.99 - 30%

A Champion Vintage hoody for $10.99 - 30%

A Wilfred Merino Sweater that needs a little shave for $8.49 - 30%

A Lululemon Sweater for $16.99 - 30%

I included a photo of all of the items including my receipt the pants are probably fake but they are awesome because they are half denim, and half corduroy.

I went $5 over budget and that was fine with me especially because the clerk was so helpful and excited to see me grab a sweater last minute so I can fully use this coupon.

There’s always a way and I am definitely going to find it.