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?"