Shopping On A Budget

Most of us aren't in the financial situation to splurge on new or possibly passing trends, but we still want to try them out and look stylish even if we are on a budget. Even those who do have the cash to spare are opting to shop at places that are more budget-friendly to avoid wasting the extra money. There are some questions you should ask yourself before buying something that may be slightly out of your comfortable price range:



Do I have anything similar in my closet?
Having multiple pieces of a similar style in your closet will often lead to one getting much more use than the other. Say you already have a pair of white jeans from last year but you would like to get a more updated pair, go ahead and buy it and just sell or donate the old pair. If you want a new pink bag even though you already have two similar ones that you carry often, chances are you don't need to buy another one.

How often will I wear it?
To get your money's worth out of an item, you have to wear it often enough and the quality of it must withstand the length of time it should for the price you paid. While everyone needs a few formal occasion pieces that are only worn a few times a year, your closet can't be filled with these if you want to satisfy your budget. When buying an item, make sure it's something you see yourself wearing a least once about every two weeks so it remains in your frequently worn rotation.

Can I live without this item?
Of course in reality the answer to this question is always yes, but if you find yourself longing for a piece even after you've left the store or website, reevaluate and decide if the item is worth the dent in your bank account. There are some pieces we just can't let go, whether they be staples or statement pieces. It's okay to buy these as long as you know the difference between something your wardrobe needs and something you just want right now.

Shopping tips for budgeting:

1. Always watch out for sales/discounts. I know none of us like getting 10 emails a day per brand we're on the emailing list for, but this truly is the best way to know when your favorite brands are running sales. When sifting through emails looking for sales, search keywords like flash sale, % off, and BOGO.
2. Thrift shop. Not only is second-hand shopping so much cheaper, but you're helping reduce the amount of fast fashion items being produced every time you choose used instead. Some of my favorite places to shop pre-owned are: Plato's Closet, Clothes Mentor, Goodwill, Salvation Army and specialty consignment shops. I also like ThredUp and Depop as online options for second-hand shopping.
3. Shop outlet stores. If you're specifically looking for designer brands at a lower price, outlet and factory stores are the best place to look. These stores sell the items that the regular stores didn't sell within an allotted time frame, so you're getting the same items and quality, just at a fraction of the price.

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