Bargain bins: People in Halifax turn to community events to save some money

With the cost of living going up and up, some people in Halifax are turning to community events and local promotions to try to save money. 

An organizer of an annual free clothing swap in the city's north end said she has seen more people come through the doors. 

"Especially people with families and children," said Judith Bonnell, who works with the Aurora North End Parish Church, which hosted the clothing swap on Saturday. 

"Things are extremely expensive, so it's a great way for them to come and find some good clothes."

The clothing is donated by members of the public and volunteers check it for quality and sort it into piles for children, women and men, Bonnell said. 

Many thrift stores are getting more expensive so the people who attend the clothing swap are very appreciative for the opportunity to restock their closet for free, she said.

"If they want to make a donation they can, but they don't have to," Bonnell said.

Any profits from the event will help youth in the community play sports and participate in other programs, she said. 

Balancing the books

People were lined up outside a Halifax used bookstore before it opened Saturday morning waiting to take advantage of a promotion. 

Customers of Agricola Street Books could fill a bag with all the discounted books they could fit for only $10. 

"The store opened at 10 [a.m.] and at about 9:45 there were about 20 people standing outside," said Joanne Colwell, an employee with the store. 

The promotion is always a hit with customers, Colwell said, but understands why more people may be eager to capitalize on offers like this as it isn't cheap being a book lover. 

"A new book these days is exceptionally expensive and, in a used bookstore, you have access to lots of titles," she said.