Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida, Inc. is searching for the thriftiest shopper in Southwest Florida, as part of a contest called “So You Think You’re Thrifty.” The winner will receive prizes, including Goodwill gift certificates, and will appear in a Goodwill advertisement.

“We have a lot of very dedicated shoppers,” explains Goodwill’s Vice President of Communications and Development, Carolyn Johnson. “We want to do something to reward them, and also to remind people that spending less doesn’t have to be difficult.”

Nationwide, more people are turning to consignment and thrift stores for their shopping needs. The National Association of Resale and Thrift stores reports sales have gone up by 30 percent in the last year alone. In turn, luxury spending has also decreased. A recent forecast by Bain & Co. predicts that luxury spending will drop an unprecedented 10 percent this year.

“I think the timing for this is perfect, because it’s really become fashionable to save money,” says Kirsten O’Donnell, Goodwill’s Director of Public Relations and Marketing. “A few years ago, it would have been taboo to tell people that you bought an outfit at a thrift store or discount retailer. But with the current economy, being a thrifty shopper is like a badge of honor.”

The winner of Goodwill’s “So You Think You’re Thrifty” contest will receive a more literal badge of honor, with their coronation as the “thriftiest shopper in Southwest Florida.”

Contest entry forms are available at Goodwill’s 23 Southwest Florida stores, and on Goodwill’s website (www.goodwillswfl.org). Interview-style auditions will be held at several Goodwill locations. Three auditions will be held in Lee County: At Goodwill’s North Cape Coral store on Thursday, July 16 (11 a.m. -2 p.m.), at the agency’s Bonita Springs location on Saturday, July 18 (noon – 4 p.m.), and on Sunday, July 26 in South Fort Myers at the Daniels Pwky. Goodwill store (11 a.m. – 2 p.m.). A complete list of all audition dates and times is on Goodwill’s website.

The interview process will be simple, says O’Donnell. “We’ll just ask them a few questions about their shopping habits, and why they think they deserve the title as Southwest Florida’s thriftiest. Maybe they have a wallet full of coupons, or the outfit they’re wearing cost less than twenty dollars. We’ll take that all into consideration.” O’Donnell adds that contestants will also be asked to pose for a photo.

Goodwill will then select four finalists for the competition, and people will be able to vote for their favorite on Goodwill’s website. Goodwill plans to crown the thriftiest shopper in late September.

Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida, Inc. operates 23 retail and donation centers in Southwest Florida, in order to support its mission of helping people with disabilities and other disadvantages overcome their barriers to employment and independence. Programs include career training and placement services, income-sensitive housing for people with disabilities and senior citizens, youth mentoring, the Four Wheels for Work vehicle assistance program, and the L.I.F.E. Academy Charter School.