I started shopping at Goodwill for my work pants a few years back. Then I took my girls there to buy shorts and jeans as "play clothes", so as not to ruin their good clothes.
My oldest, about 12 then and 16 now, thought she was too good to wear used stuff, until I asked her what she thought the stuff was that she and her friends traded when it didn't fit anymore. Used, that is what it is! She agreed to try it, but still was afraid that someone she knew would "see her there" - even though we were in Memphis, 30 miles from home.
After a time or two, she hit the jackpot, finding her brand of designer jeans (usually $50+) for less than $10, some with the tags still on them. That was all it took. Now they both go through the racks, relentlessly looking for the hidden bargains. We hit the Goodwill shops in the nicer areas of Memphis, and have found great bargains on almost every trip. After visiting several of these, we go to the stores and finish up with a few things to complement their bargains, socks, bras, etc. One year we spent about $100 eachon the girls at the Goodwill and they had 6-8 pr jeans, 8-10 tops, and some Italian leather shoes. Not a bad day shopping.
Also, be on the lookout for cooking stuff there. I collect Fire King glass, and almost always find at least a piece or two at $1-4. Last fall I found a lid for a piece I've had for years for $1. There are also the old colored mixing bowls like my mom still uses, pyrex, and sets of water glasses cheap. I also browse the art section, looking for original signed paintings. I thought I had found one last fall, and excitedly bought it for $7.99. I got home, removed it from the frame, and it was a photocopy of an original. Better luck next time.
There are bargains to be had at Goodwill and for years Bill and I checked them in the towns we went through on vacation.
I never had enough books, and he looked for tools.
A friend had 5 kids that she wanted to have proper manners, so she bought crystal goblets, and fancy dishes at goodwill, they didn’t match, but worked for her needs.
Time went by and the kids were grown and gone and she discovered that she had a house full of antiques, so she opened an antique shop......and sold her goodwill dishes.
She taught me how to buy antiques and what books that I needed to learn the different trade marks.
Twice I supported Bill when he got sick and could not work.
I once had a big sale and then a few years later, opened a small shop and sold off more of the stuff that I collected.
For your kids, next time you go to a college town, check the goodwill there, the college kids toss out more than they keep and we have bought excellent things at the Tempe Arizona goodwill.
Then I also wanted the bags of fabrics and yarns.
LOL, fond memories of shopping for a bargain.
You have taught your daughters a valuable lesson.
I always took my daughters to shop for things at Goodwill. We found that if we went to locations near colleges a week after a fall or spring semester ended we found great bargains for the girls. My youngest found an Armani (I think) dress for $10. Fit her prefectly and she still has it to drag out for special occasions.