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Beginner's Guide to Shopping ...

shopping1 Two flloors of quality fashion for less all divided into categories and colors

... and help for hoarders 

Society seems to be divided into two polar-opposite types.

Which category do you fall into?

On one side, there is the "What If I Need It?" crew. These are the people who cling to dated clothes, worn-out furniture, and a mountain of rarely used kitchen gadgets—all "just in case."

On the other side of the spectrum are those who swear by the mantra: "If in Doubt, Throw It Out."

I'm the President of THIS group.

I'm the person who controls clutter by giving away anything I don't love or use regularly.

Could I sell some of these items for a little extra cash? Sure. Do I care? Not one bit. My goal is to declutter as quickly as possible. 

As I write this, I'm preparing to attend a wedding in Cape Town shortly, and will be staying with my brother and sister-in-love.

(We're not sisters-in-law—we're sisters-in-love.)

It's been years since we've had some proper girl time together, and she's been enthusiastically planning our itinerary.

"On Sunday afternoon, we're going to a Naked Ladies Party," she told me, her excitement contagious.

Before you get any ideas, let me clarify: it's not as risqué as it sounds. A Naked Ladies Party is basically a clothes-swapping event. Guests bring their good-quality, rarely worn clothes, handbags, and accessories, which are then up for grabs.

Because one woman's trash is another woman's treasure.

"So bring everything you want to give away," Gill said.

Does she know me, or does she KNOW me?

Good thing I'm flying Emirates, and allowed two suitcases, because one is already packed full of items I no longer need.

Am I this carefree because I have a money tree growing in my backyard? Not at all. But here's my secret: I refuse to pay full price for anything.

"I got it at Max Stock," I often say during my cooking classes. This discount homeware store is my all-time favorite. I'm also an expert on food prices and know exactly where to shop for the best deals.
I glare at the well-meaning cashier at my local Shufersal Sheli - which I frequent only to buy fixed-price items like milk - when she asks me if I want the store credit card.

Why would I? Their Symphonia cream cheese costs NIS 11.90, while the identical tub is NIS 7.90 at Osher Ad, and this is just one of countless price contrasts.

But back to my plan of schlepping a suitcase of unwanted clothes across continents.

For anyone who has spent exorbitant amounts on fashion, the temptation to hoard makes sense. But not for me. I haven't shopped in a mall for clothing in years. When I'm not exploring Max Stock, Rami Levi, or Osher Ad, you'll find me at Elizabeth Ha'Rishona in Raanana.

"Vintage," "gently used," "pre-loved"—call it what you like. Secondhand shopping is not just practical but also a planet-friendly choice.

Elizabeth Ha'Rishona is nothing like chaotic charity shops. It feels more like a boutique. They're incredibly selective about what they accept—think Zara, Mango, American Eagle, and some H&M when they're slumming it. Most items are either brand new (with swing tags) or look like they've never been worn.

While I love bargains, I don't love digging. At Elizabeth Ha'Rishona, everything is neatly categorized and color-coded, making shopping a pleasure.

I was there last week and bought 2 Zara shirts, 1 Esprit shirt, American Eagle jeans AND a Uniqlo jacket.....5 items for NIS 300.

Another thing that sets this store apart? The staff. Warm, welcoming, and unhurried, they never seem to mind if I spend hours trying things on, only to buy a single item or two. They know I'll be back....and I always am.

And they are SO fussy on quality. I once schlepped a huge bag of clothing to them - you can sell your clothing there too and they give you about 60% of the price they get for it - and they selected ONE item from everything I brought. Oh the shame. No wonder I just drop off bags at ESRA or WIZO rather than go through this rejection.

No, I'm not on the payroll of Max Stock, Osher Ad, or Elizabeth Ha'Rishona. But as my newsletter readers and Facebook followers know, I love sharing tips and discoveries.

Because what goes around comes around. And sharing good news is always a pleasure.

Happy shopping, saving, and decluttering!

Here's to inspiring you...one tip at a time.

If you're not already subscribed to my weekly newsletter—where I share delicious recipes and announce upcoming cooking classes—sign up at www.lisa-starr.com.

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