Got a fruitcake tin full of Gramma's old threads in a variety of colors for like $5. I've used these to tie >15+ years now. I think maybe one fancy spool for tying that I got from a Flyshop cost more than that entire haul. That shop-purchased thread, when I used it, has yet to catch me a fish, G-ma's cottons, on the other hand, are fantastic. Some of the bobbins are wood. The fonts on the thread labels are from the good time. There's magic in that tin, those threads never run out.
Spools of thread from the garage sale: $5
Gammie's mojo on whatever comes out of the fruitcake tin: priceless