I use Google's AI to thrift for my big family — these are the 5 features that actually save me money

This will come as a surprise to absolutely no one, but journalism isn't exactly the most lucrative career.Even with freelance work and side gigs, raising three kids in central New Jersey is expensive. Over the past few years, thrifting has gone from something I did occasionally to one of the ways our family stretches the budget. I've picked up everything from furniture and dishes to kids' clothes — and when my son broke his ankle last fall, I even found a pair of crutches at a thrift store instead of paying full price.The problem is that thrifting isn't always cheap if you're doing it inefficiently. I've spent entire Saturday mornings driving from store to store only to come home empty-handed. Other times I've found something that looked like a great deal, only to wonder later if I'd actually overpaid.Lately, though, I've started leaning on Google's AI tools before and during thrift runs, and they've genuinely made the experience easier. They won't magically guarantee you'll find the perfect vintage lamp or designer jacket, but they can help you decide where to shop, identify what you've found and even figure out whether something in your own house is worth selling.Here are the Google AI features I actually use—and why they've earned a permanent spot in my thrifting routine.1. I use AI Mode to plan before I ever leave the house(Image credit: Google)One of the biggest mistakes I used to make was treating every thrift store the same. But that's not true at all! Some locations are packed with furniture. Others are better for kids' clothes, kitchenware or home decor. Without knowing which is which, I'd end up wasting time and gas bouncing between stores.Now I start with Google's AI Mode in Search. That means, instead of typing simple keywords, I ask it questions the way I'd ask a friend. AI Mode pulls together recommendations, highlights nearby stores and links to additional information so I can decide where it's actually worth going.Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.No, it can't tell me exactly what's sitting on the shelves that day. But it gives me a much better starting point than guessing.For example:"Which thrift stores near me usually have the best furniture?""Where can I find affordable kids' sports equipment?""Which thrift stores are worth visiting if I'm looking for home décor instead of clothes?" (Image credit: Google / Future)If I spot an interesting serving dish, vintage picture frame, coffee maker or jacket, I'll snap a quick photo using Lens. Within seconds I can usually see similar items online, identify the brand or learn more about what I'm holding. Sometimes it confirms that I'm looking at something valuable. Other times it tells me I'm about to spend $15 on something that's selling for $12 everywhere else.Either way, it's nice having a second opinion before heading to the checkout. That's where Google Lens has become incredibly useful.If you've ever thrifted, you've probably had that moment where you pick something up and think:"This feels expensive... but I have absolutely no idea."3. Circle to Search helps me hunt down things I already know I want(Image credit: Tom's Guide)Sometimes my thrift trips start long before I walk into a store.I'll see a piece of furniture, a jacket or a lamp while scrolling online and think, I'd love something like that — but not at that price.Instead of trying to remember the name or manually searching for similar products later, I use Circle to Search.I simply circle the item on my Android phone and Google pulls up visually similar products, pricing information and related styles.That gives me a better idea of what I'm actually looking for before I head to thrift stores. If I know the brand or style, it's much easier to recognize it when I eventually spot one in person. (Image credit: Future)Buying secondhand clothing can be tricky because sizing is all over the place. A vintage size 12 might fit like today's size 6, and plenty of online thrift listings don't offer returns. Google's Virtual Try-On lets you upload a full-body photo and see how supported clothing items might look on you before you buy.I wouldn't use it as the final word on whether something fits perfectly, but it's a surprisingly fun way to decide whether a particular style is actually something I'd wear, or whether it just looked good on someone else.5. Lens also helped me realize what was worth selling (Image credit: Future/Amanda Caswell)One unexpected benefit of using Google Lens is that it works just as well on things you already own.Every family eventually accumulates items that end up sitting in closets, basements or garages. Before automatically donating them, I'll sometimes scan them with Lens to see whether they're worth anything.Sometimes the answer is no. But occasionally I'll discover that an older appliance, collectible or piece of furniture has more resale value than I expected.That means I can decide whether to donate it, list it online or trade it in at a local resale shop — all with a little more confidence.AI won't replace the thrill of thrifting — but it can make it smarterApparently I'm not the only person embracing secondhand shopping. According to Google Trends, searches for "how to thrift" reached an all-time high this year. Interest in "how to thrift online" has also surged, while searches for everything from vintage desks and sports jerseys to thrifted wedding dresses continue to climb.That doesn't surprise me. When prices seem to go up every time I walk into a store, finding quality items secondhand feels less like a hobby and more like a smart financial decision.Google's AI isn't going to uncover hidden treasure for you, that part still comes down to patience and a little luck. But after working these tools into my own routine, I spend less time driving to the wrong stores, make more informed buying decisions and feel more confident about what I'm bringing home.For a busy family trying to stretch every dollar a little further, that's a win I'll happily take. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Subscribe to Tom's Guide on YouTube and follow us on TikTok. Finally, you can visit our dedicated Tom's Guide Savings Squad hub for expert help on getting the best products for less. More from Tom's GuideI just learned your Claude AI chats could show up in Google — here's how to check yoursI searched Amazon for AI-written books — and it was much harder to spot them than I expectedJimothy the viral raccoon is 100% real — here's what's AI