Thrifting & fun on a Budget in Houston, Texas
- Maria DeAngelis
- Jul 24
- 8 min read
If you've checked out the about me section, you already know my grandbabies mean the world to me! So, when the chance popped up to visit them in Texas, I pushed aside my flying fears and made the trip to see my little ones! After a year and a half apart, spending that week with them was absolutely one of the most amazing experiences of my life!
Planning a week away with flights, car rentals, accommodations, and activities for three kids was going to be pricey, but I was up for the challenge! I dove into all the travel sites to snag the best deals. Can you believe I found a round-trip, non-stop flight for two people at just $1200? That’s right, no layovers for me—I want to get there pronto! And the cherry on top? Adding a rental car with unlimited miles and an SUV upgrade on Travelocity was only an extra $100. Total win! Plus, I'm scoring 3% cash back from Rakatan for booking through Travelocity, and my Belco credit card gives me points back too. To top it all off, I signed up for Southwest loyalty and earned even more points. How exciting is that?
I wanted to stay close to my daughter in Deer Park, a Houston suburb with limited hotel options, so I chose an Airbnb efficiency apartment rental. This was no ordinary efficiency—it was essentially a converted three-car garage, making it incredibly spacious! It had everything we needed, and to our delight, it even included a washer and dryer, which was a lifesaver in the Texas heat! Just a two-minute drive from my daughter, it fit our needs perfectly. And the best part? It cost less than $650 for seven days! I assume this was because it's a newer rental without many reviews, but it worked so well for us that we're definitely rebooking for our next visit!
Having a kitchen with a full-size fridge was must have for our budget! Not that I'm a fan of cooking on vacation (or anytime, really), but it meant we could grab delicious heat-and-eat meals from the grocery store and stock up on refreshing drinks. HEB, a fantastic local grocery store in a nearby town, offered an amazing variety of cold and heat-and-eat meals, along with raw options that you could pop in the oven. We made it a daily ritual to stop there for our meals. They also whipped up different in house recipes everyday and provided samples. Those samples were a highlight we all eagerly anticipated! When you're traveling, the smartest way to save money is by cooking your own meals or doing what we do—finding store-made heat-and-eat meals at the local grocery store. HEB, Publix, and ShopRite are the top picks we've discovered in the USA. If you're heading to Canada, don't miss out on my budget-friendly recommendations here.
Moving onto things to do, I did thorough research to ensure the kids had a blast every day, and I hunted for the best deals out there. Groupon was my secret weapon, scoring us amazing discount tickets to a water park, trampoline park, and a flight museum, saving us a ton of money! Plus, we got extra savings with Rakuten cash back. Every penny counted because, naturally, I had to treat the kids with fun trips to Walmart, thrift stores, and some yard sale adventures. Exploring yard sales in a new area with three little ones in the blazing heat was a challenge, but we nailed it! The kids quickly became pros, spotting signs even before I did! And although the thrifting gods didn't bless us with any vintage treasures in Texas, the kids hit the jackpot with clothing and fun toys.
Let me tell you, going to yard sales in Texas is a whole new adventure compared to Pennsylvania! Curious about what Texas yard sales are like? Click here and here to find out! The prices were fantastic. However, in this area, sellers needed permits and were restricted on the number of sales and their timing. I also faced a bit of a challenge finding a good resource to locate these sales. My usual go-tos like Facebook and Craigslist weren't showing many results, and Marketplace listings didn't include dates. We ended up discovering sales by blindly driving around and hunting for signs—a true adventure, since we couldn’t be sure if the signs were current or not. If you're hitting the yard sales with kids, give them some money to buy their own treasures. I did this with my kids when they were young, and now with my grandkids. It’s a fantastic way to teach them the value of a dollar and budgeting, while also giving them a wonderful sense of independence and importance!
So here's the scoop on the thrift scene in and around Houston, TX 🛍️✨
First stop was the Alamo Thrift Store in Pasadena. The store was impressively spacious and well-organized, but wow, the pricing was something else! Some items were actually more expensive than buying new at Walmart. However, the furniture section was a impressive with its reasonable prices and high-quality vintage pieces. The art selection was equally exciting, boasting a fantastic array of oversized pieces. Like other TX thrift stores, they bundle & bag smaller items, such as toys, etc for sale. Since I left empty handed, I was eager to explore the indoor Pasadena flea market just across the street, but unfortunately, time didn't allow it.
✨PRO TIP: Want oversized art but can't find the perfect piece? No worries! Hunt for a used piece with a frame you adore in the size you need. Paint over the existing art or use a free site to print your masterpiece to size. Plus, you can transform the frame into a fabulous selfie prop for parties! Dreaming of a frame with a golden patina? Let Rub n Buff work its magic!
The next day, Sunday, was all about exploring the flea markets, and they were absolutely fantastic! Our first destination was Cole's Flea Market and Antiques in Pearland, TX. It was a bit of a drive from the Deer Park area, but it was so worth it! We did pay a $4 parking fee, but given the sheer size of the place, it was totally justified. Outside, vendors specialized in used goods, tools, and plants. Then, there were open-air vendors set up in what looked like former storage units, offering a variety of mostly new items, from clothes to large stew pots and everything in between. Inside, more vendors sold similar items. There were several wings, and I didn't get to explore them all, but one was dedicated to antique stores, and another featured an arcade and small kiddie rides. Food vendors were everywhere, offering everything from fresh raw ingredients and produce to freshly prepared Mexican delicacies, ensuring I didn't leave hungry. They even had a food truck outdoor food court! Although I mainly bought items for the kids, I loved being immersed in the Mexican culture. The sights, smells, and sounds made me feel like I was strolling through an outdoor market in Mexico. I was in awe of the Mexican handcrafted goods, especially the embroidered leather shoes and accessories. I will mention that very little English was spoken, so knowing some Spanish was helpful, especially during negotiations.
Our next flea market adventure took us back to the Pasadena area, where we explored the White Elephant flea market. This bustling market had a strong Mexican influence and was packed with energy. Parking was a bit of a challenge, and there was a questionable trailer park behind it. The setup was a bit chaotic and scattered, and we discovered afterward that we had only explored half of the market!
The outdoor vendors offered a mix of new and used items at great prices, with some stands resembling yard sales. One standout vendor sold the most stunning handmade crochet children's dresses. Again, knowing some basic Spanish was a huge plus, and everyone we met was incredibly friendly. We found two food vendors offering delicious Mexican street food in the section we explored.
In addition to the outdoor stalls, there was a building filled with individual little shops selling a variety of goods; everything from vintage tees, to custom piñatas, to affordable toys from China. If you're on the hunt for a Labubu, you're in luck—both flea markets had plenty of brand-new authentic dolls for $15 or less. Once again, my purchases were all finds for my grandkids!
Both markets served up my favorite Horchata, which was an absolute lifesaver in quenching my thirst, but wow, the heat was nearly unbearable! Being in that "season" of life, I tend to sweat like crazy and rely heavily on a combination of aluminum-free deodorant for my pits and whole body deodorant everywhere else. I put my new sweat-proof period panties to the test, and they delivered beyond expectations! While they're made for your period, they're fantastic for sweat and, I imagine, minor incontinence too. They wicked away sweat and kept me feeling dry—because who wants back sweat to trinkle down and cause a case of swamp butt! Not me!! Another trick I use to combat the dreaded underboob sweat is adding panty liners to the inside of my bra. It's discreet and works better than any reusable cotton pads I've tried for that purpose. My other essentials for surviving the Texas sun include staying protected with mineral sunscreen, not just for myself but for the kids too—because no one's getting sunburned on my watch! A must-have for navigating any flea market or day of thrifting is always coming prepared with a Hulken bag and a cooler full of water. All-day sourcing is serious work, and you definitely want to stay hydrated!
Even though my daughter has been living there for over a year, I stumbled upon a hidden gem she didn't know about—The Tropical Chill! This place serves snow ice, boasting an incredible variety of flavors with a velvety texture that keeps its delicious taste. And here's the best part: you can add "cream" for a small fee, which is essentially sweetened condensed milk, and trust me, you absolutely should! Snow ice isn't just more affordable than traditional ice cream; it's also the perfect way to beat the Texas heat with a refreshing treat! After discovering this place, we hit it up often!
Our next destination for thrift shopping was Family Thrift: 112 W Southmore Ave, Pasadena, TX 77502.
The store had a worn appearance, but was spacious, well-stocked, and offered good prices. Although I didn't purchase anything, it likely had the best pricing and "some" vintage inventory among all the thrift stores we visited in Texas.
Our next stops were the Goodwill locations in Deer Park, Pasadena, and LaPorte. These locations were quite similar. The clothing organization was random and could benefit from improvement, while hard goods were placed on top of the clothing racks, encouraging a thorough exploration of the entire store. We've discovered something we've never seen before—excited to find out what it is? Click here!
I couldn't leave Texas without experiencing a trip to their bins, and I was shocked by how respectful everyone was! You had the usual resellers with carts overflowing lined up against the wall. When new bins rolled out, which happened often, everyone eagerly swarmed to that side of the room, leaving the rest of the bins all to us! It was fantastic having all the "older" bins to ourselves. However, the bins were packed to the brim, making it a challenge to dig to the bottom. We managed to score a few pieces for my daughter and grandkids, though I was surprised by the 8.25% tax, even on clothes! Want to see what our adventure was like? Click here.
Overall, I found the thrifting experience somewhat disappointing. While clothing was generally more affordable, the selection of hard goods lacked vintage or unique items. I enjoyed the flea markets, but more for the culture and food than for vintage treasures. The yard sale scene impressed me with fair prices and good quality, although I had difficulty finding a reliable source for sale locations, and unfamiliarity with the area led to a lot of backtracking. Ultimately, my main reason for visiting was to see my grandbabies, so thrifting was just an added bonus. Now that I have a bit more familiarity with the area, I know what to expect and where to go next time!
Are you from the Houston/Deer Park Area? If so, I'd love to hear what I missed! Know of any family-friendly spots I should have checked out? Share your favorites with me! I'm already excitedly planning my return visit!
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