I have one and I am sure that others have some too.I have found that this time of year is a good time to look for all those things that are needed to stock up that RV.It seems that after Christmas a lot of people get new stuff and donate things that they didn't use or needAfter Christmas the Good Will stores and other types of thrift shops get a lot of appliances and other goods that are near new and sometimes still in the original boxes.Last year I scored a near new CrockPot $4, A Electric Skillet in the box $5, Small Toaster $2 with no crumbs in it !! all in working order. Misc. pots, pans and plates, some still in boxes and in great shape.I see it as a win win situation, I get a bargain and the money I spend goes to a worthy cause, cant get better than that. :BHappy New Year All.

I agree! There's some great deals to be seen and the money goes to help those without. We scored a brand new set of dishes for $20.00 and outdoor mats for $10.00 I notice on CL people are selling their Xmas gifts for real cheap too.

Some of our best "finds" were yard sales. We shopped our array of Thrift Stores and Dollar General stores for camping items to outfit our campers in the past. Nothing says anyone has to buy "specialized" items for camping.However, over time, we came to view our camper as our vacation resort place. So, little by little we started purchasing better and more quality items for the camper and replaced some of the hand-me-down and Thrift Store items.Over time, we'd purchase first for the camper and put the "used" item in the house, until finally decked out our camper as nice, or even better than the house. Although, it took 20 years to arrive at that point!Good advise you've offered there, to purchase this time of year. Many items (even high end quality items), like bedding, blankets, dishes, kitchen ware, camping items, are all at good prices right now (after the December Holidays). Check out Wall Mart and grocery stores. If you don't mind a set of dishes with Christmas themes, you can get them for almost nothing right now!

I only check salvation army stores. After what I've read about how much money the CEO and branch managers make from free donations at good will and what they pay the employees, I no longer give them my business.

Craigslist,garage sales and family hand me downs are great ways to outfit the camper for cheap. The holidays are now behind us but I always let my gift givers know that camping or cooking related items are always welcome as a gift. My wife and I have outfitted most of our family members with some type of camping gear as gifts over the years. I love a good bargain.

A good estate sale can end up being one-stop shopping. My RV is equipped with good quality things. Revere ware pans, Griswold cast iron, next-to-new crockpot, flatware, utensils, blankets, fleece throws, fireplace bellows and tongs, tools, toaster etc. Even nice towels can be bought second hand, washed and good to go..

Helpful hints for stocking up that new RV on a budget

Tom_Diane
Explorer
Jan 17, 2014
As far as things needed, I picked up some tools at garage sales or thrift stores and put together a small tool box with fuses and electrical tape, minimal amount of tools needed. I don't have to haul my good tools around which are way to heavy to haul around and I like to keep the tools together and in my shop.
MarshaNichols
Explorer
Jan 17, 2014
My family gave me a nice Camping World gift card!! Perfect!

I love The Container Store...found so many needed and cool things at good prices.
jkmcmom
Explorer
Jan 09, 2014
Love shopping at thrift stores & yard sales. We have a # of items for the rv from various shops. I also check out thrift stores when we travel. Lots of times I'll find coffee mugs from the local area & I'll only pay a fraction of what it would cost new in a tourist shop.
phenrichs
Explorer
Jan 07, 2014
We took items like the toaster and electric griddle from house and bought new for home. Silverware and plates/cups - dollar store.
IAMICHABOD
Explorer II
Jan 07, 2014
Tachdriver wrote:

I'm still waiting for that check from Microsoft since I have shared the information on FB :p
Tachdriver
Explorer
Jan 04, 2014
doxiemom11 wrote:
You might want to check snopes to see how accurate your information is regarding the charities. Much of the information that circulated in e-mails regarding their spenditures for charity, and salaries is false. The e-mail circulated naming a CEO and a salary of over 1 million does not even have the name of the CEO correct, let alone the salary. What you read may not be true at all.

I'm still waiting for that check from Microsoft since I have shared the information on FB :p
RRinNFla
Explorer
Jan 03, 2014
OK, doxie.

I can go to thrift stores run for profit, and still buy books for $0.50. The OP was about stocking the RV with bargains. My $0.02.
Opie431
Explorer
Jan 03, 2014
Ask at you Goodwill store if they have an As Is store, and they may call it something different. It is the store where they get everything that did not sell in their regular stores. Something that is a bargain in the regular store will cost much less in the As Is store. I buy those "great" thing advertised on TV, still in the boxes and never used for two dollars. Of course sometimes they are not worth that whatever they have said on TV.
doxiemom11
Explorer II
Jan 02, 2014
You might want to check snopes to see how accurate your information is regarding the charities. Much of the information that circulated in e-mails regarding their spenditures for charity, and salaries is false. The e-mail circulated naming a CEO and a salary of over 1 million does not even have the name of the CEO correct, let alone the salary. What you read may not be true at all.
RRinNFla
Explorer
Jan 02, 2014
Paperback books.

I like to shop at the thrift stores run by various charities. The sell the books for $ 0.50. I read them and then donate them back. It is almost a better deal than the library.

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