I have been scouring thrift stores and flea markets since I was a wee lass. Here are my tried and true rules for getting the most of your vintage shopping experience.

Go with a fellow bargain lover or go it alone. Unless you want a friend to sit on a musty recliner and shoot you dirty looks while you dig for treasure, fly solo or go with someone who enjoys the hunt as much as you.

Start Small. It's easy to get overwhelmed at a thrift store, even a well organized one, so begin your search in the jewelry counter or shoes and bags.

This is the perfect compromise for people who are skeeved out by used clothing.

Make sure it's in good condition. If it's stained, yellowed, stinky, or made of cheap fabric, it's not worth it, even if its only $5. Look it over in good lighting to spot discoloration (especially armpits) and to examine the fabric and lining for tears or damage. Missing buttons and zippers are easy to repair.

Wash then wear. Most thrift store finds can be machine or hand washed, while gentler vintage pieces should be dry-cleaned. This is also a good time to make repairs or updates. Spiffy buttons can update a piece quickly. Shoes can disinfected with Lysol just like they do at the bowling alley, and you can change the insoles for extra freshness.

Runway to reality. Vintage is a great way to get in-season runway looks NOW at a HUGE discount. Many designers come into our shop to by inspirations for their next line," says Bianca Moreno of A Little Wicked Vintage boutique in Manhattan's trendy LowerEast Side. So, why hit Forever 21 for not-so-well-made trends like gym-inspired sweaters and wrap skirts when you can go to a vintage store and get QUALITY in-season styles for a fraction of the cost.

Hit out-of-the-way thrift stores. Because people are so fashion savvy these days, thrift stores in bigger style cities like Los Angeles and New York are really picked over, and prices are always more expensive. Deals can be had for sure, but for more options and better scores try to squeeze in a visit to a thrift store the next time you visit relatives in Ohio or have a work meeting in Orlando.

Drive to estate sales. Unlike garage sales, which tend to be more down market, estate sales by their very nature are a more quality affair. These types of sales tend to be in suburban areas, so a trek might be a bit time consuming. But the finds can be very good. Check the real estate section of your weekend paper for listings.

Shop late. When shopping at flea markets or vintage expos that bring together many vintage retailers, try going at the end of the day on the last day it's held. Dealers often give drastic deals when closing up because they don't want to carry all of their inventory home.

Cybershop. Shopping for vintage online can save big money because of the lack of overhead. E-Bay has a huge selection of vintage clothing and at competitive prices. Just make sure they have a money-back policy in case it doesn't fit or is damaged (Most sites are very good about relaying size, but to be safe, pay attention to measurements.) If something is too good to be true, it probably is, so be wary of fakes, especially when it comes to handbags. Good sites to check out are alittlewicked.com, olivesveryvintage.com, shopnastygal.com, as well as etsy.com, and good old trusty ebay.com.

Prepare to pay. True vintage shops are a pleasure to browse through, especially if you're a clothes connoisseur, but they are not cheap. It's not uncommon to see price tags comparable to high-end boutiques. But if you fall in love with a bewitching frock, you can justify your $200 purchase with the pretty safe assurance that no one else will be wearing it.

Get creative with alterations. If something is fantastic but not quite your size consider having it tailored. The EASIEST tailoring job is to cut and hem something. Consider making minis out of last season's maxi dresses. Beyond just hems, consider tailoring the shoulders of a jacket, or have it taken in the back for a better fit.

Easy embellishments. If sewing seems to daunting, the easiest way to spruce up a look is to change the buttons. I gave new life to a blue pea coat, by changing the plastic buttons to matte gold ones embossed with an anchor print for a spiffier look. You can find affordable buttons online, at garage sales, or you can pull from your own castaway clothing. Also consider changing the buttons on a cuff or collar. Sometimes, I'll change only the top button of a coat or shirt, for a subtle but cool effect. Check out mjtrim.com for cool accents.