When Briana Stewart Aaron of Powder Springs gets some time to herself, away from her small son and husband, she knows exactly what to do.

First, she scratches her head and chuckles: “Like that happens?”

Then she heads straight to the thrift store. “I love sifting for bargains,” Aaron said. She calls digging through mounds of clothes and buckets of educational toys “the thrill of the hunt.”

Diane Prevatt, who owns Hand-Me-Up’s in downtown Powder Springs, loves seeing moms wander into her consignment store, looking for the same bargains Aaron seeks. 

“We specialize in women’s and children’s clothing and accessories, and some household items,” Prevatt said. 

Judy Matthew is one of the sales associates at Hand-Me-Up’s. She said the store gets quite a few moms spending their “me” time in the shop. 

“Usually they’re looking for something for their kids, but they’ll grab a treat for themselves sometimes," she said. "It’s a great place for low prices and great stuff.”

While Aaron will occasionally pop into secondhand shops like Hand-Me-Up’s, she spends most of her “hunting” at Goodwill. “A lot of good stuff goes there and sells cheap.”

There are two Goodwill stores nearby: one on Powder Springs Road in Marietta, and one on Brownsville Road in Powder Springs. Goodwill relies on donations of items, while many consignment shops pay those who bring in their castoffs. 

Either way, there are deals to be had. Sometimes designer labels pop up in the stores on goods that are barely used or never used. For parents of kids growing like weeds but who may get taunted for cheap clothing, secondhand designer items are a blessing.

Aaron has an ulterior motive for going the cheapest route: She turned her hobby into a business.

“I market high-end kids clothes and educational kids items online,” she said. “It’s a way for me to indulge in my hobby, be home for my family when I need to be, and make some income.”