There are a lot of benefits to thrifting, the cost-savings, helping the planet, and just having fun. But one, underappreciated benefit is the fact that if you look long and hard enough, you will encounter unexpected treasures

We’ve gathered some of the most interesting and lucky “finds” people have encountered at thrift stores, vintage shops, and garage sales. From unique furniture to incredible, one-of-one nick-nacks, be sure to upvote your favorites as you scroll through and share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below. 

#1

I Found This Little Birb Thimble At An Antique Store In Gatlinburg And Fell In Love

I Found This Little Birb Thimble At An Antique Store In Gatlinburg And Fell In Love

Now I just walk around with it on my finger and peck at people because I’m clearly an adult that has their priorities straight

Kelli Dunn Report

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#2

I Did Not Need A Cookie Jar But There Was No Walking Away From This Silly Gal

I Did Not Need A Cookie Jar But There Was No Walking Away From This Silly Gal

A good friend recommended I make her a tutu, so I did, of course. Now the hippo has a name - Stella - and has taken over the house

Jennifer Kingman Report

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#3

Stumbled On This At A Yard Sale In Pa I Almost Crashed And Couldn’t Turn Around Fast Enough Lol, I Lucked Out It Fits Perfect!

Stumbled On This At A Yard Sale In Pa I Almost Crashed And Couldn’t Turn Around Fast Enough Lol, I Lucked Out It Fits Perfect!

Mike Witkowski Report

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#4

Found This Really Cool Giant Book Coffee Table On Facebook Marketplace Yesterday. The “Spines” Open As Drawers. Each Book Is Actually Leather Bound

Found This Really Cool Giant Book Coffee Table On Facebook Marketplace Yesterday. The “Spines” Open As Drawers. Each Book Is Actually Leather Bound

"It’s HUGE and heavy as heck! It’s missing one leg but I think I’ll prop it up with hardcover books"

Birdie Wood Report

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#5

Found Today At King's Hardware In Shreveport, La. Came Home With Me Immediately! Nibbler The Cat Is Getting Properly Introduced

Found Today At King's Hardware In Shreveport, La. Came Home With Me Immediately! Nibbler The Cat Is Getting Properly Introduced

Abbie Machowski Report

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#6

Been Meaning To Share My Sons Rocking Dragon. My Father And I Found It On The Facebook Market Place Two Christmas Ago When I Was Pregnant

Been Meaning To Share My Sons Rocking Dragon. My Father And I Found It On The Facebook Market Place Two Christmas Ago When I Was Pregnant

"By the time I reached out to the seller it was sold. I was so bummed until Christmas morning and found out it was my dad who purchased it. I had no idea he even knew about it. He had no idea I also tried to buy it. It is made entirely out of wood. The craftsman ship is remarkable. The previous owner said their grandmother won it at a church auction and it had been in their family for a long time and they know nothing about it or who made it. Not signed or marked anywhere. It is now our family’s treasure and will be passed down."

Jamie Settell Report

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#7

We Moved Into A Vintage 1962 House With Everything Original. This Dollhouse Was Built Into The Cabinets In One Of The Rooms And I Was Gifted It To Keep Safe And Enjoy

We Moved Into A Vintage 1962 House With Everything Original. This Dollhouse Was Built Into The Cabinets In One Of The Rooms And I Was Gifted It To Keep Safe And Enjoy

Mary built this over a ten year period while she was sick

Emily Millar Report

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#8

Griswald Definitely Approves Of This Garage Sale Find

Griswald Definitely Approves Of This Garage Sale Find

Elisabeth Guetle‎ Report

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#9

I Lost My Boston Terrier, Ollie, To Old Age This Summer And I’m Pretty Sure I Found Him At Goodwill Today As Christmas China

I Lost My Boston Terrier, Ollie, To Old Age This Summer And I’m Pretty Sure I Found Him At Goodwill Today As Christmas China

Sarah Taschetta Report

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#10

Last Weekend, As I'm Going Into This Antique Store On A Whim, I Jokingly Tell Myself "Maybe There's A Lenox Spice Village In Here Just Waiting For Me To Take It Home."

Last Weekend, As I'm Going Into This Antique Store On A Whim, I Jokingly Tell Myself "Maybe There's A Lenox Spice Village In Here Just Waiting For Me To Take It Home."

I explore about 3/4 of the store and look over at a junky shelf of stuff while squeezing past it and ***squeeeeeal*** I spot adorable little ceramic houses thinking "COULD THIS BE IT?" IT WAS A SPICE VILLAGE, complete with the original paperwork and shelf!!! I immediately run to get a hand basket and gingerly place all the houses inside and sprint to the checkout counter to purchase my FAVORITE antique store purchase EVER!! It ended up having one jar missing, but I found it on Etsy and snatched it up so fast! Also, I only have one tiny wall in my tiny kitchen, and would you believe this beauty fits perfectly on it?!?!?

Heather Eck Report

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#11

Picked Up On The Side Of The Road A Few Weeks Ago. It Is A Victorian Era Conversation Setee, For Courting Couples. The Weird Thing Is That It Was On The Side Of The Road With A Bunch Of Junk

Picked Up On The Side Of The Road A Few Weeks Ago. It Is A Victorian Era Conversation Setee, For Courting Couples. The Weird Thing Is That It Was On The Side Of The Road With A Bunch Of Junk

Weird Secondhand Finds That Just Need To Be Shared Report

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#12

My Greatest Thrift Find Ever. When I Bought It I Only Thought The Dots Would Glow. I Was Shocked When I Turned It On!! Best $10 I Ever Spent. Hope House Foundation Thrift Shop, Norfolk Va

My Greatest Thrift Find Ever. When I Bought It I Only Thought The Dots Would Glow. I Was Shocked When I Turned It On!! Best $10 I Ever Spent. Hope House Foundation Thrift Shop, Norfolk Va

Hannah Marie Report

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#13

Found This At A Goodwill Today. Too Good

Found This At A Goodwill Today. Too Good

Jonny N Emerick Report

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#14

Duckie Mirror Absolutely Came Home With Me

Duckie Mirror Absolutely Came Home With Me

WeirdSecondhandFinds Report

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#15

This Stain Glass Whale Light Measuring 4' Long Was Going To Be Thrown In A Dumpster

This Stain Glass Whale Light Measuring 4' Long Was Going To Be Thrown In A Dumpster

It was hanging in a wood shop so it was covered with a thick layer of saw dust. I brought it home and cleaned it up really well and it turned out looking really nice. I love whales and I'm extremely happy to have saved this beautiful one of a kind piece of art from being destroyed. It's in it's forever home!

Chris Braga Report

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#16

My Best Thrifted Find. I Especially Loved The Previous Owners Little Message, As It’s Now Used As An Art Studio In A Box

My Best Thrifted Find. I Especially Loved The Previous Owners Little Message, As It’s Now Used As An Art Studio In A Box

Melissa Charpentier Report

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#17

I've Collected These Pieces From Various Thrift Shops, Antique Stores, And Yard Sales Over The Years. Some Are True Depression Glass From The 30s And Some Are Mid-Century

I've Collected These Pieces From Various Thrift Shops, Antique Stores, And Yard Sales Over The Years. Some Are True Depression Glass From The 30s And Some Are Mid-Century

Collie McYeargan Report

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#18

Found The Oddest But Most Perfect Leash/Lead For Our Little Dachshund Today In The Local Charity Shop

Found The Oddest But Most Perfect Leash/Lead For Our Little Dachshund Today In The Local Charity Shop

Katherine Rea Report

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#19

Got This Coffee Table At An Estate Sale Today! Ridiculously Excited About This. I Loooove Turtles!

Got This Coffee Table At An Estate Sale Today! Ridiculously Excited About This. I Loooove Turtles!

Marcy Medeiros Crocker Report

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#20

Not Necessarily A ‘Find’ But Today My Uncle Gave Me This Chair, Which He Got From His Uncle Years Ago, Who I Believe Bought It In The 60s Or 70s

Not Necessarily A ‘Find’ But Today My Uncle Gave Me This Chair, Which He Got From His Uncle Years Ago, Who I Believe Bought It In The 60s Or 70s

I’ve loved this chair since I was a child and was so excited when he offered it to me

Holly Murphy Report

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#21

Y'all, My Local Bin Dig Store Had A Fill-A-Cart For $10 Sale, So I Started Filling Up On Small Toys To Hand Out At Halloween

Y'all, My Local Bin Dig Store Had A Fill-A-Cart For $10 Sale, So I Started Filling Up On Small Toys To Hand Out At Halloween

I grabbed this fake credit card, because it said James Bond on it. This morning, I noticed there was a slider on the back and opened it. It's a freaking LOCK PICKING SET!!! ETA: I am definitely keeping this!

Amanda L. Richards‎ Report

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#22

Pictures Don't Do Her Justice. I Am Elated With Today's Buy. Found In An Antique Store In South Of UK

Pictures Don't Do Her Justice. I Am Elated With Today's Buy. Found In An Antique Store In South Of UK

Dorothy Alice Van Moppes Report

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#23

Was In A Thrift Store With My Partner When I Saw This Painting

Was In A Thrift Store With My Partner When I Saw This Painting

Thought it was just abstract, until closer inspection, when we saw the "About the artist" paper taped to the painting - it was painted by a snapping turtle named marshmallow! I knew at that moment I needed to take it home with me

Erin Anne Report

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#24

Found This Amazing "Phrenology Cat". Immediately Fell In Love And Knew He Had To Come Home And Be Part Of My Eclectic Mix In My Art Studio!

Found This Amazing "Phrenology Cat". Immediately Fell In Love And Knew He Had To Come Home And Be Part Of My Eclectic Mix In My Art Studio!

WeirdSecondhandFinds Report

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#25

Picked Up These Cast Iron Cat Andirons Up From My Buy Nothing Group. I Can't Wait To See Them With The Flames Behind The Eyes!

Picked Up These Cast Iron Cat Andirons Up From My Buy Nothing Group. I Can't Wait To See Them With The Flames Behind The Eyes!

Valerie Marino Horowitz Report

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#26

I Like To Believe Someone's Grandma Worked Really Hard On This! I Feel So Lucky To Own It!

I Like To Believe Someone's Grandma Worked Really Hard On This! I Feel So Lucky To Own It!

Kelsey Johnson Report

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#27

Found A Cat Sized Tiara For My Princess

Found A Cat Sized Tiara For My Princess

WeirdSecondhandFinds Report

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#28

Pulled Up To A Friends House And Her Neighbor Had This Thrown Out By The Road In The Rain. I Had To Swoop In And Save The Day With This Unique Unicorn Of A Flippy Chair Table

Pulled Up To A Friends House And Her Neighbor Had This Thrown Out By The Road In The Rain. I Had To Swoop In And Save The Day With This Unique Unicorn Of A Flippy Chair Table

"The cushion is soaking wet so its propped up against the wall not pictured"

Autumn Vaughn Report

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#29

My Great, Great, Grandmothers Table From Mexico

My Great, Great, Grandmothers Table From Mexico

My great grandmother brought it to TX when she came to the US and she gave it to my grandmother when she and my abuelo bought their first house. My grandma passed it on to my mom when she bought her first house. I've lived all over the US and the table was too delicate to ship but I knew some say I'd get that table. I bought my first house (20 years after my travels) last year when I moved back home and this was one of the first items I moved into the house. My mom and I cried as we brought it in and set it up. My family had so little when they came to the US but this table was always there. To drink cafe con pan and talk chisme (gossip), to cry, to discuss difficult decisions and to celebrate anything and everyone. Oh the stories this table could tell. Makes me so proud to be a part of this long line of strong resilient amazing women

Angelica Mendoza-Carrillo Report

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#30

I See All Your Sassy Teapots, But I Think I Found Something Even More Sassy. I Present To You All The Sassy Grandfather Clock!

I See All Your Sassy Teapots, But I Think I Found Something Even More Sassy. I Present To You All The Sassy Grandfather Clock!

Jessie Finn Report

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#31

I Rescued This Incredible Globe From The Trash, It’s About 20” Tall And Handcrafted With Semi-Precious Stones And A Brass Base

I Rescued This Incredible Globe From The Trash, It’s About 20” Tall And Handcrafted With Semi-Precious Stones And A Brass Base

Pete Anthonius Leggio Report

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#32

I Found This Old TV When Cleaning Out In The Attic In My Grandma's House

I Found This Old TV When Cleaning Out In The Attic In My Grandma's House

They put in under a blanket to keep it away from dust and I think it has been there for over 40 years. Instead of throwing it away I took it with me and built a bar. You can store 12 bottles in it and turn on the light with the original on/off button hope you like it

Thomas Schlund Report

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#33

This Came Home With Me. It's Brilliant And Well Crafted

This Came Home With Me. It's Brilliant And Well Crafted

Emily Erin Report

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#34

Had To Spruce Her Up A Bit

Had To Spruce Her Up A Bit

Amber Jones Report

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#35

Teeny Tiny Fully Functional Knife With Mother Of Pearl Handle

Teeny Tiny Fully Functional Knife With Mother Of Pearl Handle

I got this year's ago at a garage sale and it lives on a shelf next to my bed. You know for protection against leprechauns, gnomes and fairies

WeirdSecondhandFinds Report

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#36

This Is The Tiniest Set Of Nesting Dolls I’ve Ever Seen. Brother And I Were Crying In Laughter As They Kept Getting Smaller And Smaller

This Is The Tiniest Set Of Nesting Dolls I’ve Ever Seen. Brother And I Were Crying In Laughter As They Kept Getting Smaller And Smaller

Jessica Schermerhorn Report

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#37

I Asked The Price. The Man Said $20. I Was Shocked. I Thought He Meant $120

I Asked The Price. The Man Said $20. I Was Shocked. I Thought He Meant $120

He told me he’d gladly accept more, so I threw the $20 at him and ran. No joke, I literally ran away with this beauty like I stole it

Tommie Taylor Alexander Report

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#38

After Decades Of Weird Gifts From My Cousin, Who Shops Exclusively At Thrift Stores, He Scored A Treasure. I Call Them My "Cavorting Frogs." I Love Them!

After Decades Of Weird Gifts From My Cousin, Who Shops Exclusively At Thrift Stores, He Scored A Treasure. I Call Them My "Cavorting Frogs." I Love Them!

Susan Murray Report

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#39

Found This Very Happy Piggy Today! I Couldn’t Resist, She Now Lives With Me

Found This Very Happy Piggy Today! I Couldn’t Resist, She Now Lives With Me

Christine Kaminski Lukasavige Report

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#40

Hand-Carved African Bed, You Immediately Spend Your Entire Stimulus Check To Bring It Home

Hand-Carved African Bed, You Immediately Spend Your Entire Stimulus Check To Bring It Home

From a social distancing-compliant yard sale in Mechanicsville, VA... When someone is selling their intricate, one-of-a-kind, hand-carved african bed, created from teak logs found at the bottom of a kenyan river, you immediately spend your entire stimulus check to bring it home (as I did)

Jeremy DiMaio Report

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#41

Found A Magazine Ad Of My Great Grandma And Twin Uncles From 1952! They're All Gone Now, So It's A Doubly Amazing Fin

Found A Magazine Ad Of My Great Grandma And Twin Uncles From 1952! They're All Gone Now, So It's A Doubly Amazing Fin

‎Larissa René Helm Report

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#42

$15 From Salvation Army Store! Printed On Wood, Definitely Before The Movies

$15 From Salvation Army Store! Printed On Wood, Definitely Before The Movies

Weird Secondhand Finds That Just Need To Be Shared Report

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#43

This Was Hand Made In The Seventies And Is One Of A Kind! Bought It Second Hand And Finally Got It Into My Space Today

This Was Hand Made In The Seventies And Is One Of A Kind! Bought It Second Hand And Finally Got It Into My Space Today

It's so gorgeous and the details are amazing. I'm an herbalist and I'm going to use it as a magical herbal storage hutch. I thought it needed to be seen and appreciated here with all of you creative lovely treasure hunters!

Kiely Quinn Report

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#44

It's A Murder Mystery Writers Desk Teapot I Found At Value Village For $10, And I Just Found The Kitchen Sink Teapot At Goodwill For $5 I Think 2 Makes It A Collection, Right?

It's A Murder Mystery Writers Desk Teapot I Found At Value Village For $10, And I Just Found The Kitchen Sink Teapot At Goodwill For $5 I Think 2 Makes It A Collection, Right?

WeirdSecondhandFinds Report

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#45

This Literally Threw Itself In My Cart

This Literally Threw Itself In My Cart

Nicole K Guidry Report

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#46

My Mom Got Me This Today At The Thrift Store And I Love It

My Mom Got Me This Today At The Thrift Store And I Love It

‎Rigor Morris‎ Report

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#47

I Found This Last Week And It’s Definitely My Favorite Thing I’ve Seen At An Antique Or Thrift Store. Introducing The Violin Vampire Killing Kit!

I Found This Last Week And It’s Definitely My Favorite Thing I’ve Seen At An Antique Or Thrift Store. Introducing The Violin Vampire Killing Kit!

Amanda Anatole Report

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#48

Found This Jar To Put Your Coffee Grounds In. Love It. Bought It. Has A Fake Little Electrical Cord Too

Found This Jar To Put Your Coffee Grounds In. Love It. Bought It. Has A Fake Little Electrical Cord Too

Mary Ruggeri Report

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#49

Ound A New Container For All My Arsenic!

Ound A New Container For All My Arsenic!

Laura Jean Report

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#50

My Tissue Box On My Wall At Work

My Tissue Box On My Wall At Work

WeirdSecondhandFinds Report

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