Yard Sales - North African Style

You might be amazed how expensive things can be living overseas. New clothes many times are just outrageous. So far, I've found 3 things that are cheaper in North Africa where I live: phone service, seasonal fresh fruit and veggies, and delivery services. Yep, those are about it.

So, what is a way people save money here? Well, stores don't have sales very often. Coupons?? Ummm...no. I tried to explain coupons a couple of times and just get blank stares, so I've stopped trying. There is one thing I've finally discovered that's pretty interesting. It's called the "fripe." It's basically an outdoor market of used items: mainly clothes, but also toys, bags, shoes, and sometimes other randomness. There are many fripes. Depending on the area, they will be just one day a week, two days a week, or most days.

There are great benefits and liabilities of the fripe.  Benefits: CHEAP!!! I bought a winter coat for the equivalent of about 66 cents. I took it home, washed it, and it's great. Liabilities: it takes time. You have to dig through piles of clothes on tables to find the correct size, check the fabric, check the zippers, etc. Also, there is no trying on the clothes. You buy at your own risk.

You'd be amazed at what you can find if you search. A friend found clothing from Walmart - no boundaries brand. I bought a purse for only $4. There are diamonds in the rough. You just have to be willing to search.

Tables upon tables of used clothes

You might even find a furry 80's star :)