This Thanksgiving, Create a DIY Gratitude Tree

Of all the Thanksgivings I spent at my late grandmother’s house (18 years worth!), there’s one that really sticks out to me. With fragrant wafts of the feast coming our way from the kitchen, she asked each family member to choose something we were really thankful for and mark it on a “gratitude tree” that she had created on her wall. That was the year I realized that this holiday is about much more than just playing with my cousins, and that I was a very lucky girl.

Throw an All-Thrifty Baby Shower

Some college girlfriends called me a few months back and wanted to arrange a baby shower back in my hometown. I was thrilled and excited at a chance to see everyone and show off the bump, but talk of showers always leads to talk of registries. I have to admit– the thought of registering made me a little bit queasy. Babies need so much stuff– but does it all really need to be new? So when I flew back to Missouri last weekend, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But I have to hand it to my friends and family– they know me better than I ever imagined. I was treated to a brunch with good friends, family, food, generosity, crafts, love and THRIFTY gifts!

What Legislative Issues Are Important to You in 2014?

Following Election Day, headlines are dominated by outcomes, voter turnout and even thoughts on the next major race.  As important as casting your ballot may be, voting is just one of the many ways we can be engaged in the legislative process. Throughout the year, you can meet with your lawmakers, attend hearings, provide testimony […]

Scam Alert: Protect Your Finances from IRS Telephone Fraud

Camila from Paterson, NJ, asks, “I’ve always filed my taxes on time and never had any issues. Now I’m receiving phone calls from the IRS saying I owe them money. This doesn’t make sense – how can I check this out?”

My Story: Nikkinta Murphy

Nikkinta knew she was in for a journey as she left incarceration and started to look for work — she just wasn’t sure where to start. After participating in a Goodwill job readiness program, she obtained a machine operator job and has been steadily working her way up the career ladder since. “You should never judge what you’ve done in the past. The first step is to forgive yourself — because if you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will,” she says.

Congress: Creating More Panic than Orson Welles

Seventy-five years ago this Halloween Orson Welles and CBS Radio created panic in several parts of the US when they aired a nearly uninterrupted national broadcast of the H.G. Wells novel War of the Worlds. Congress, maybe hoping to top that effort, recently spooked the entire country and most of the financial world by shutting down most of the US government and nearly driving the nation into default.

Five Pointers for Delivering an Effective PowerPoint Presentation

Amy from Bloomington, IL, asks, “I have to give a big presentation next week at work, and I’m super nervous. I haven’t had to create slides since I was back in college. Any advice?”

Thrifty Ladies Work the Runway at Goodwill Fashion Show and Gala

Last month, I had the pleasure of attending Goodwill’s The Art of Fashion Runway Show and Gala here in DC for the first time. Just walking in, it was obvious this wasn’t going to be your typical fashion show. Past a gaggle of valet parking staff and the tables brimming with hors d’oeuvres, up the stairs at Artisphere and past the Andy Warhol exhibit, there they were — racks and racks of curated thrift store goodies!

DIY: Make This Halloween-Themed Cupcake Stand

In the weeks leading up to Halloween, as people look to get creative and put together the “be-all, end-all” Halloween costume, an area that gets overlooked is housewares. If you’re hosting a Halloween bash, there’s no need to spend lots of money on decorations. It may take a little planning, but if you know what you’re looking for, you can get in and out of there for under $20. Since you never know exactly what you’ll find, it’s a good idea to have a couple of options, and know what items you’ll need to find in order to execute your Halloween décor.

Act Now to Support the Rights of People with Disabilities

Goodwill agencies around the country have joined the efforts to promote October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month. As the month comes to an end, you have the opportunity to continue to support the rights of people with disabilities by urging your Senator to support the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

My Story: Liera Williams

Liera, a single mother of three, found herself struggling to find a job and support her family — at times staying with friends and family when her housing situation became unstable. Through the Seattle Goodwill’s Green Corps program, she is building skills that will help her advance her career and provide for her family. “If you’re a single mom that’s looking for work, don’t listen to people that tell you can’t do it. I can be your motivation,” she says.

Skip the Big Box: Thrift Stores Offer Halloween Costume Options for Less

My favorite month has arrived – it’s October (woo!!) and that means one thing: costume time! Halloween is on the bend and costumes need to be picked out. This is a very serious time for me because there is nothing that I love more than dressing up. Honestly, there really is no better place to costume shop than thrift stores. Whether you have an idea of what you want to dress up as and need to grab assorted pieces to complete your look, or you’re completely clueless and need a last minute get-up, secondhand stores are the place to sort out the perfect costume!