The Money Mustache Community

Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: 2ndTimer on August 12, 2014, 09:23:57 AM

Title: Portlanders: Where do you shop?
Post by: 2ndTimer on August 12, 2014, 09:23:57 AM
Hi Fellow MMMers:

We frequently visit family (not MMMers unfortunately, or this would be easy) in Portland.   We often combine our trip with a visit to Next Adventure for used outdoor gear or Powell's books for reading material.  I am certain that there must be many other discount/second hand stores in a city this large.  Please fill me in.  I would be glad to hear about anything from second hand bicycles to dented canned goods.

Thanks

2ndTimer
Title: Re: Portlanders: Where do you shop?
Post by: Tyler on August 12, 2014, 09:41:56 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-H_ZnC203Wo

:)
Title: Re: Portlanders: Where do you shop?
Post by: 2ndTimer on August 12, 2014, 11:07:46 AM
Thanks Tyler.  I admit I was puzzled when clicking your link gave me a hilarious but not MMM video involving putting birds on things.  Then I realized that the site also had lots of other videos that are exactly the sort of thing I am looking for.  Going back there right now to look at more videos
Title: Re: Portlanders: Where do you shop?
Post by: PDX Citizen on August 12, 2014, 11:41:01 AM
The basement at Next Adventure is a great place for picking up used outdoor gear - sounds like you discovered that!

City Bikes on SE Ankeny St is a good place to look for used bikes/gear.

For used clothing that is a bit more quality/trendy than goodwill, buffalo exchange (on hawthorne or downtown) is good.

We usually just buy food at Trader Joe's as they are pretty affordable, but there are a few discount grocery stores around.  One I ride my bike by every day that seems to do good business is the Grocery Outlet in the Hollywood district.
Title: Re: Portlanders: Where do you shop?
Post by: Beric01 on August 12, 2014, 12:34:28 PM
Ah, Portland! I'll actually have a 4-hour layover at the airport there tomorrow. I'll probably just read in the terminal, unless there's anything interesting (and cheap/free) to do near the airport.
Title: Re: Portlanders: Where do you shop?
Post by: PDX Citizen on August 12, 2014, 12:41:38 PM
With four hours you should definitely get out - it's a great time of year here.  You can catch the max from the airport and be to downtown or to inner eastside neighborhoods in about 40 minutes.  Stroll around the shops, eat at a food cart, check out the waterfront for a couple hours and then hop on the max (red line) to get back.
Title: Re: Portlanders: Where do you shop?
Post by: 2ndTimer on August 12, 2014, 01:21:56 PM
Thanks PDXCitizen, I adore Grocery Outlet especially for fancy cheese and tahini both of which can be very cheap there when they have them. 
Title: Re: Portlanders: Where do you shop?
Post by: 2ndTimer on August 13, 2014, 05:22:15 PM
I am posting to bump this because I am hoping for more input

2ndTimer
Title: Re: Portlanders: Where do you shop?
Post by: NinaNina on August 14, 2014, 07:45:42 PM
Portland is one of the best places to live cheaply! When I lived there, I enjoyed its very active Freecycle community, as well as the general culture there of leaving crap at the curb. Yard sales are so prevalent that you can go on Craigslist on the garage sale section and search on the exact items you want. Beyond the free or nearly free, I enjoyed:
1. Groceries at Winco--employee owned, so cheap.
2. Food samples at New Seasons--lots of freebies. Not great for shopping, but the Hot Wok setup is nice. You fill your own bowl with whatever you like for a fixed price. Then they prepare it with sauces, noodles, and such.
3. The bins. Goodwill is not so cheap in Portland, I found, but the Goodwill bins are cheaper. Dirtier, though.
4. Baby/kids stuff: Just 4 Kids consignment/used shop in Hollywood.
5. In addition to faboo Powell's there is Title Wave. Stunningly cheap books sold at deep discount by Portland's unbeatable library system.
6. Chinook Book: If you are in it for a little longer, this is one of those discount books with cheapo tix to theater and such. It's only worth it if you are staying longer or if you split it with your hosts so they can use it thereafter.
7. The Alibi: Tiki Bar with no cover karaoke!
8. ReBuilding Center: Do you get excited by abandoned fixtures and reclaimed tile? I sure do. This is the place to score it.
9. Super cheap second run movies at the various McMenamins locations--Kennedy School was my personal favorite.
Enjoy PDX!
Title: Re: Portlanders: Where do you shop?
Post by: resy on August 14, 2014, 11:23:24 PM
Portland is one of the best places to live cheaply! When I lived there, I enjoyed its very active Freecycle community, as well as the general culture there of leaving crap at the curb. Yard sales are so prevalent that you can go on Craigslist on the garage sale section and search on the exact items you want. Beyond the free or nearly free, I enjoyed:
1. Groceries at Winco--employee owned, so cheap.
2. Food samples at New Seasons--lots of freebies. Not great for shopping, but the Hot Wok setup is nice. You fill your own bowl with whatever you like for a fixed price. Then they prepare it with sauces, noodles, and such.
3. The bins. Goodwill is not so cheap in Portland, I found, but the Goodwill bins are cheaper. Dirtier, though.
4. Baby/kids stuff: Just 4 Kids consignment/used shop in Hollywood.
5. In addition to faboo Powell's there is Title Wave. Stunningly cheap books sold at deep discount by Portland's unbeatable library system.
6. Chinook Book: If you are in it for a little longer, this is one of those discount books with cheapo tix to theater and such. It's only worth it if you are staying longer or if you split it with your hosts so they can use it thereafter.
7. The Alibi: Tiki Bar with no cover karaoke!
8. ReBuilding Center: Do you get excited by abandoned fixtures and reclaimed tile? I sure do. This is the place to score it.
9. Super cheap second run movies at the various McMenamins locations--Kennedy School was my personal favorite.
Enjoy PDX!
I second all of these suggestions!! To it I will add:
*Movies: academy theather on stark ($4 per adult, $3 for kids AND you can have flying pie pizza (super good) and draft beer if you wish (although admittedly noy very mmm)
*Thrift and consignent storea are everywhere. A few on 23rd, hawthorne, stark, division.... any good old yelp search will give you great results
*LOTS of movies at the park and park concerts going on in summer (alnost every night actually) and free lunches for kids at parks (google for specific parks but there are plenty)
*library system is amazing.
*used bridal and women's formal (hey you never know): amazing grace.
I am going to have to post as i think of more