Across Canada, the way people shop and manage their homes is changing. Faced with higher living costs and growing concern about waste, more Canadians are cutting back on new purchases, buying second‑hand, and looking for ways to stretch what they already own. That “thrift shift” is showing up not just at the mall, but in basements, garages and storage rooms all over London and St Thomas.
For a donation‑first junk removal company like Get R Gone, this shift is good news. The more people care about reuse and resale, the more value there is in getting unused items out of storage and into the hands of someone who can use them. Decluttering is no longer just about “getting rid of junk.” It is a way to lower spending, support local charities and make homes feel lighter and more functional.
Canadians Are Spending Less and Thrifting More
Recent Canadian surveys paint a clear picture. A TD survey found that about two‑thirds (67%) of Canadians plan to cut back their spending in 2026, up sharply from 51 percent the year before. At the same time, a national “Thrift Shift” survey for Habitat for Humanity ReStore reported that around 60 percent of Canadians intend to thrift or buy used items this year, mainly to save money and reduce waste.
In that same survey, more than 80 percent of respondents said thrifting is both a smart financial move and an environmentally responsible choice, and about two‑thirds agreed that second‑hand shopping has become mainstream. Canadians are not just quietly buying used; many say they feel proud to show off thrifted finds.
For homeowners in London and St Thomas, this mindset lines up perfectly with decluttering, donating and rethinking what really needs to be bought new.
Why Clutter Costs More Than You Think
When budgets are tight, it is easy to focus only on cutting new purchases. But keeping too much stuff also has a cost. Clutter can:
- Hide things you already own, leading you to buy duplicates.
- Make it harder to use key spaces, like home offices or guest rooms.
- Add time and stress every time you need to find something.
- Complicate moves or renovations, often adding hours to packing and cleaning.
Real estate and staging professionals often point out that decluttered homes show better and sell faster, which can directly impact your bottom line when it is time to move. In other words, clearing out what you are not using is one of the few “home projects” that can quickly save or even make you money.
From Overflowing Rooms to Second‑Hand Wins
The same trends driving Canadians toward thrift stores and online resale platforms are driving London homeowners to rethink what is sitting unused at home. That could include:
- Furniture that no longer fits your space or style.
- Extra kitchenware, décor and linens you rarely use.
- Kids’ items, toys and sports gear that have been outgrown.
- Renovation leftovers, duplicate tools and hobby supplies.
Canadians in the “Thrift Shift” survey said books, clothing, toys and home goods are among the most common second‑hand categories, with many also willing to buy used furniture, kitchen cabinets, lighting and appliances. Every time someone in London buys a gently used bookshelf or kitchen table, there has to be someone else willing to let that item leave their basement or spare room.
That is where donation‑first junk removal comes in: connecting those under‑used items with new homes, while helping you reclaim your space.
How Get R Gone’s Donation‑First Approach Fits the Thrift Shift
At Get R Gone, we talk a lot about being a donation‑first junk removal company. That is not just a slogan. On every job, our crews sort items to pull out what can be donated or reused before anything goes to landfill.
Here is how that looks in practice for decluttering‑minded homeowners in London and St Thomas:
1. We help you move from “someday” to done
Many people in this new thrift‑and‑save era have good intentions. They want to list items online, run a yard sale, or drive donations to multiple locations. But busy schedules and decision fatigue often turn “I will deal with that later” into years of delay.
By booking a pickup, you get a firm date when items will leave your home. You can still set aside things to sell or give to specific people, but the bulk moves in one go, without you needing to rent a truck or make multiple trips.
2. We prioritize donation and reuse wherever possible
Get R Gone’s team separates items that can be donated or repurposed and works with local partners to keep usable goods in circulation. From furniture and housewares to décor and some renovation materials, we look for second‑life options first, then route remaining items to recycling facilities and, only when necessary, to disposal.
Our enclosed trucks also protect items destined for donation from weather damage, which means more pieces arrive in good enough condition to be accepted and resold or given away.
3. We make room for new, smarter spending
Clearing out unused items has a side benefit: you can see what you actually have and what you truly need. That makes it easier to take advantage of the thrift wave without overbuying. Instead of impulse‑shopping “just in case,” you can target specific second‑hand finds that fill real gaps in your home.
For example, if you free up a cluttered guest room, you might thrift a better bed frame or storage unit instead of buying everything new. If you clear old tools and hardware, you will know exactly which pieces to watch for in resale or ReStore aisles.
Practical Ways London Homeowners Can Lean Into the Thrift Shift
If you are trying to save money, reduce waste and simplify your home, here are some concrete steps you can take:
1. Audit one room at a time
Pick a high‑impact area like the basement, garage or a spare room. Sort items into keep, donate, recycle and remove piles. If you are overwhelmed, consider working with a professional organizer and then scheduling a donation‑first junk pickup to handle everything that is leaving.
2. Decide what is worth selling vs. donating
Some high‑value items may be worth selling individually, especially furniture, quality tools or specialty gear. But for most everyday items, donation is faster and still supports the thrift economy. Remember that many Canadians now prefer charitable second‑hand stores, with a strong preference for thrift shops run by charities.
3. Use junk removal strategically
Full‑service junk removal is ideal when you have:
- More volume than will fit in your vehicle.
- A mix of items going to donation, recycling and disposal.
- Physical limitations or time constraints that make DIY unrealistic.
By combining your efforts with a donation‑first service, you maximize what is reused and minimize what you send to landfill, all while getting your space back in a single visit.
Why This Matters More in 2026
With surveys showing that a large majority of Canadians plan to cut spending and many are already shifting toward second‑hand, every square foot of storage and every item in your home now plays a role in your financial picture. Hanging on to things “just in case” can quietly work against your goals when it keeps you from seeing what you have, using the space you own, or taking advantage of truly good second‑hand deals.
On the other hand, letting go of what you no longer use, donating what still has life and responsibly removing what is truly junk lines up perfectly with the new Canadian spending reality: less waste, more value and more thoughtful choices.
Taking Your Next Step with Get R Gone
If you are in London, St Thomas or a nearby community and you are ready to declutter in a way that fits this new thrift‑and‑save mindset, Get R Gone can help.
We offer:
- Full‑service, donation‑first junk removal for homes, condos and rentals.
- Partnerships with organizers and estate professionals when you need extra support.
- Transparent, volume‑based pricing so you know what the job will cost before we start.
Clearing out your space is not just about “getting rid of stuff.” It is about aligning your home with how you actually live now, creating room for better decisions and making the most of a Canadian economy where every dollar and every donation counts.
If you are curious what a donation‑first junk removal pickup could look like for your home, you can reach out to Get R Gone for a no‑pressure chat or on‑site quote and start your own version of the thrift shift at home.
