any suggestions on how NOT to go as often as I go and any suggestions on HOW often I should go

[signalfire]

You're a hoarder and you're addicted to the extremely temporary high you get from a bargain or acquisition. Figure out what's REALLY missing in your life and try to focus more on that. It sure as hell isn't a new (used) pair of shoes or another dress you're probably never going to wear.

[silibran]

Originally Posted by NoLoveLost

Well I enjoy thrift shops too, and what I have done is I made a rule, If I buy something, something else has to go. I would would also limit myself to how much $$ I would take in with me. $20 was the limit (I know not much, but more than enough for me personally). As for how often, well I guess that would depend, I go about 1 every two weeks now (use to be almost daily-but not to buy. My $20 had to last me at least a week.)

Guess what I am suggesting is give yourself rules, and boundaries.

This is good advice. When you bring something into your closet, and the closet is full, you have to pull something out and get rid of it to make room. I've started doing that more, myself. I've been weeding things that I haven't worn in awhile.

Whether you buy from a thrift store, or a department store, you can easily buy too many things. As the poster above suggests, you need to have boundaries. Otherwise you end up living with a hoard.

[Bakeneko]

Originally Posted by signalfire

You're a hoarder and you're addicted to the extremely temporary high you get from a bargain or acquisition. Figure out what's REALLY missing in your life and try to focus more on that. It sure as hell isn't a new (used) pair of shoes or another dress you're probably never going to wear.

Having family members with hoarding tendencies, I have noticed that thrift stores are more danger zone than regular stores.

It's hard to pass up a handbag or jacket that you know retailed for $250 when it's $2 at a thrift even if you don't need it - sometimes, they intend to resell it on EBay but that never actually happens...

My hoarding family members seem to get ansy when they can't get to the thrift wondering what "treasures" they might be missing.

The treasure hunting aspect seems to give them a thrill

If you don't but something then and there , it's gone forever drives hasty decisions...