Challenge: 2 kids, 2 outfits, $30. Go!

Oh, wait! First, erase that picture in your mind of the Goodwill stores you used to know, complete with dingy floors, piles of clothes in an unorganized, dusty smelling store. The Goodwill stores of Southern Oregon are well lit, clean and bustling with people searching for treasure.

My friend Julie, the new PR/Marketing Director for Southern Oregon Goodwill, recently called me with a challenge: Find 2 complete outfits for my picky pre-teen/teen daughters. My first thought - this is going to be a cinch... but she mentioned complete outfits a few times... she wanted them to find top to bottom outfits with accessories. Without our help... oh boy...

Southern Oregon has 11 stores, most with a unique angle- like the Medford Sequel store, set up like an upscale boutique, carrying all name brands and seriously shabby chic furniture. This is the store we used for our challenge.

Here's what we found:

13 year old outfit: jeans, khaki gap skirt, orange striped tee, Guess denim jacket, sunflower jacket pin, sunglasses, headband, sling style purse = $16

10 year old outfit: Old Navy flower print skirt, graphic tee, Guess denim jacket, sunglasses, leather paten purse = $14

Tips for shopping Southern Oregon Goodwill Stores:

1. Go with a plan! The stores are full and can be overwhelming. Go with an idea of what you are looking for.
2. Look for quality brands. They wear better and last longer. Don't know your brands? Bring your smart phone and look them up!
3. Try things on. Each store has private fitting rooms, use them - exchanges and returns get tricky.
4. Go often! A stores’ inventory changes constantly, you might strike gold one week, and come up with nothing the next.
5. Leave your debit card at home. When you're armed with cash, you'll be more selective with your purchases.
6. Shop on Tuesday. You’ll find the best selection mid-week, when all of the freshly donated merchandise from the weekend before is hitting the floor
7. Have fun! There is no shame in thrift shopping -- Shopping at Goodwill is not only good for your budget but it supports local Goodwill programs. Your donations and shopping dollars funds their local programs. 85 cents out of every dollar of revenue goes to fund local programs!

Did you know that the Southern Oregon Goodwill provided employment and training services to more than 1,400 people last year? Goodwill is the leading nonprofit provider of education, training and career services for people with disadvantages and for people with disabilities.