List 16: how I am able to thrift as a job without keeping everything for myself

People ask me all the time how it is that I go out thrifting and find so much good stuff, but am then able to sell it on. Don't I want to keep everything for myself? And the answer is simply this; yes, yes I do. It has gotten easier though, and here are some of my top tips for thrifting as a job...

1. I try to decide on the spot, before I even purchase an item, whether I am buying it to keep or to sell. If I start off thinking 'this is not for you, don't get too attached' then I generally don't have a problem letting go. It's kind of like if you're a surrogate mother I guess.... (ha, worst analogy ever!)

2. I set myself a small budget each time to spend on things for me. Used in conjunction with the above rule, it means I don't end up buying lots of stuff for myself and nothing to sell on! On average the split will be 80-90% to sell and 10-20% to keep.

3. I know my limits. I don't have a house of my own - in fact I share a house with four other family members, none of whom appreciate my 'tat' as they have affectionately termed it. This means that whilst I can get away with buying little knick knacks to go in my room, there is no point me keeping a set of vintage canisters, as they will inevitably end up in the loft gathering dust. When I have my own house though, this rule will go completely out the window, and I have no idea how I will restrain myself. There may have to be some sort of intervention staged.

4. I have a 'one in one out' policy on most items (although this does not include ephemera or any items I use for crafting.) If I really love something, and decide to keep it for myself, in turn I have to get rid of something else. This rule is pretty much the only thing preventing me from being buried alive by an avalanche of my own belongings.