13 Valuable Things to Look for at Goodwill

When you're thinking thrifty, you gotta know what's a steal and what's, well, junk. Here are some valuable things to look for at Goodwill.

Santa Clarita, CA/USA. July 26, 2018. A Goodwill Store. Goodwill has helped more than 26.4 million people train for careers.Juan Llauro/Shutterstock

Even for the avid bargain shopper, stepping into a thrift store can feel pretty overwhelming. Where do you begin? What are you even looking for? With racks and racks of clothes, housewares, shoes, toys and more, it’s easy to lose track of what brought you through those doors to begin with—and it’s hard to tell the difference between the junk and the good stuff.

But there are always a few diamonds in the rough. If you know the valuable things to look for at Goodwill, it’s easy to score a vintage-chic coffee table, a glamorous picture frame or a summer page-turner just waiting to be taken to the beach.

These gotta-have-it items can be found at any thrift store for a steal, and their timelessness makes them nearly impossible to pass up. And the savings you’ll rack up from buying them secondhand? Well, that’s definitely a money-saving tip that would make Grandma proud.

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Vintage Stack of Bowls: close up of three orange & white bowls with a gold flowered pattern, stacked three high resting on a shelf amongst a backdrop of assorted white dishes at a thrift store.
Donna Hayden/Shutterstock

Dishware

Mismatched dishware is very on trend right now. One of the valuable things to look for at Goodwill, it can save you some extra bucks from buying a dinnerware set.

A few dishes short of a set or a pretty bowl here and there and you’ll easily build a shabby-chic collection of mix-and-match dishes that give your table depth, character and a fun color palette.

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An antiques stall, at a Country Fair, but could be Antiques or Flea Market.
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Vintage Canning Jars

Mason jars aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. And those blue-tinted vintage Ball jars? Well, those can sell for a pretty penny to collectors. Whether you’re looking to resell them, repurpose them as home decor or use them for canning, you’ve got countless reasons to scoop up a few if you spot them on a thrift store shelf.

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Differed coloured painted wood frames in a basket for sale at a vendor in Hay-on-Wye, Wales, United Kingdom, Europe.
Zeljka/Shutterstock

Picture Frames

Try to ignore that garish clown face staring at you from the velvet canvas. If the artwork’s iffy but the frame is stunning, just pop out the picture and use that ornate frame to hang something you really love. Even outdated wood or metal frames can get painted a fun color to give them new life—and a new sense of style.

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A warehouse with furniture such as sofas, chairs and lamps
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Wooden Furniture

Solid wood furniture can be quite expensive when purchased new. But thrift stores have plenty of wooden desks, dressers, chairs and benches with timeless style and a teeny price tag. Look for clean lines and good construction—if it’s simple and sturdy, it’ll fit in with any style home. And those unsightly brass knobs? They’re easy and inexpensive to replace to give outdated furniture a modern makeover.

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Vintage Pyrex bowls in Butterprint
Brianna Griepentrog/Taste of Home

Colored Pyrex

If you see a vintage pink Pyrex bowl sitting on a thrift store shelf, stop what you’re doing and put it in your cart instantly. Collectors go crazy for the pretty colors and bold patterns and their resale value is off the charts. Even if you’d like some of your own, the cute factor and durability make them stylish, timeless kitchen workhorses. Learn more about vintage Pyrex dishes.

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Various cast iron skillets and pans on dark background.
Irina Rostokina/Shutterstock

Cast-Iron Cookware

When purchased new, heavy-duty cast-iron skillets, pots and pans can carry price tags nearly as hefty as their weight. That’s why finding these cookwares for a serious bargain can make them such valuable things to look for at Goodwill.

Even if they’re in rough shape, it’s easy to restore cast-iron cookware to like-new, food-safe conditions. And once you’ve reseasoned your pan, go ahead and whip up any of these amazing cast-iron skillet recipes.

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Row of backwards books in a bookstore
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Books

Unless they’re building a library, people often get rid of books first when trying to declutter the house. That means thrift stores are loaded with popular page-turners for prices often 10 times lower than bookstores. So whether you’re looking for a summer read, historical fiction or your favorite sports star’s autobiography, if you don’t mind doing some digging, you can find a whole collection of books just waiting to sweep you away.

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many old silver candle-stands on a flea market
Armin Staudt/Shutterstock

Silverware

Even if it’s a bit tarnished, solid silver items can be polished and restored to like-new condition fairly easily—and they can be sold for a great price, depending on the current value of silver. Check to see if the piece is solid by tapping on the surface and listening for a high-pitched ringing sound.

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Colorful antique vintage Christmas ornaments displayed for sale on a pegboard in a thrift store.
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Holiday Decor

Faux greenery, plastic pumpkins, heart-shaped dishes and other holiday decor sometimes have their own sections in thrift stores. While some might be a little gaudy (and who are we to judge?), you can usually find holiday staples with timeless appeal—Christmas tree stands, festive dishware and ornaments—for mere cents.

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Close up on hands browsing record store
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Records

It’s a tedious task, but thumbing through those milk crates of records can pay off. Even though vinyl is making a comeback, many people are still trimming down their collections. Look for unopened copies, rare pressings and albums from popular artists.

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colorful play figures with dice on board
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Board Games

Believe it or not, Cards Against Humanity can get a little tiresome after playing it for the hundredth time. A trip to the thrift store can mean stumbling upon a new game-night classic for super cheap. Just make sure to open the box and check that all the pieces are there and intact. If it’s missing directions, search on your phone to see if they’re available online.

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Female Shopper In Thrift Store Looking At Clothes
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Name-Brand Clothing

Whether you plan to sell it or wear it yourself, it’s always a good idea to skim through the clothing racks for name-brand finds. Even better if it’s vintage! Keep an eye out for designer shoes, purses and accessories, too.

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Vintage mug and bowl on wooden tray
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Jadeite

Seafoam green jadeite—popular in the 1930s—is making a big comeback in home decor. And while its retro style is reason enough to add it to your collection, it’s one of the valuable things to look for at Goodwill if you ever want to resell. Look for McKee, Jeanette or Fire-King logos on the bottom of each piece—they’re among the most valuable brands of jadeite, with items reselling for as much as $100 apiece.

Rachel Seis
As deputy editor for Taste of Home magazine, Rachel has her hand in everything you see from cover to cover, from writing and editing articles to taste-testing recipes to ensuring every issue is packed with fun and fabulous content. She'll roll up her sleeves to try any new recipe in the kitchen—from spicy Thai dishes (her favorite!) to classic Southern comfort food (OK...also her favorite). When she's not busy thinking of her next meal, Rachel can be found practicing yoga, going for a run, exploring National Parks and traveling to new-to-her cities across the country.