I am a former financial journalist and a bit of a gypsy, living in Europe, New York and other locations before settling in the Sarasota/Bradenton area. As a compulsive shopper with reduced earnings, I have developed a new obsession: thrift shopping. Turns out this area has more thrift and consignment shops than any other area I've lived in. Some stores are great for designer clothes; others for furniture and most offer a variety of second-hand treasures. Of course, thrift shopping is now cool, with stylists on HGTV and Style shouting the benefits of bargain shopping.