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To some shopping is a form of therapy. It helps some relax and fix the lack of focus that develops from juggling work, the kids, the house, and all those extracurricular activities. For others, it can be incredibly taxing on their bank accounts. However, you don’t need to go broke to build a better wardrobe.
If you find that your clothing budget is more than it should be, you’ll need to ask yourself some questions. Do you really need to spend that much money on clothes? Do you have the right kind of budget to afford every new trend that you see models and stars flaunting on Instagram?
Saving while still wearing the latest fashions can be achieved. By following these tips, you can discover ways to save money on a great wardrobe, while still being a fashionista.
Create a Plan for Buying Clothes
Before you even head out the door to go shopping, be smart about what you will be shopping for. Take a look through your closet and see what you can keep, what to get rid of, and what items you need to add to your wardrobe. You should be able to piece together outfits easily with what you already have in your closet. As you go through your clothing you will find out what you really need the most, which will allow you to shop intentionally.
To take your planning a step further, you may even want to research the best pieces to add to your collection. Try looking at your favorite stores online and decide which prices are best for you.
Whether you make the purchase instore or on the Internet, you will find that the shopping experience is much more efficient when you know what you’re looking for.
Come up with a budget
A fair amount of shoppers blow their budget by purchasing whatever looks good to them at the time. One of the best ways to save money is to create a spending plan that is feasible for your lifestyle.
Decide how much money you can realistically allot to your buying needs and try your best to stick to it. When you actually make it to the store — be sure to keep your purchases within these limits.
Scout for Savings
There are many methods to avoid paying the full price for clothing. One of the best ways to save money is to start shopping for seasonal items at the end of every season. If you find that you need swimwear for summer or holiday clothing for winter, make these purchases during the year right after each of these seasons end. These items should be on sale and will help you save a significant amount of money while bulking up your wardrobe.
Additionally, take time to search for coupons and sale alerts on a regular basis. Always search for discounts: student, military, senior, and the like.
Try your best to use cash or a debit card for purchases. When you using credit cards, be sure to only purchase what you already have enough money in the bank for. Using a cash back credit card or site like eBates doesn’t hurt either.
Shop During Sales
Plan your purchases for sales and clearances, such as on holidays like Black Friday, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and more. Always look through the sales and clearance racks and don’t be afraid to venture out from the brand name stores. Consignment shops and thrift stores often have hidden treasures that one would never find shopping at the mall.
You can usually find name brand clothes that are still high quality for just a fraction of the regular sales price.
Some people even have clothing swap parties with their friends. Gently used clothes are exchanged among friends, allowing you to spend no money while switching up your wardrobe with newer pieces. SCORE!
Take Care of Your Clothes
One of the best ways to save money is to avoid throwing cash away on clothes. You do this by keeping your clothes for as long as possible. When your clothes are properly cared for, you won’t have to replace them as often.
Make it a point to check every tag to find out how to clean each garment properly. We are all guilty of just throwing everything into the washer at once.
Also, be sure to hang up and fold your clothes nicely, instead of simply tossing them in a drawer. It really doesn’t take that more time to do 😉
Use Subscription Services
While subscriptions services for fashion are relatively new, more and more people are using this to maintain their sense of style without overspending. With a service like this, customers sign up and receive the most fashionable clothes on a monthly basis. With a subscription to a style service, customers can cave the most on new clothes without having to go out and singlehandedly search for sales. It’s my dream come true!
Clothes shopping may be time-consuming and costly, especially when you’re already low on cash. But if you create a working budget, shop during sales, and properly care for your clothes, then you will be able to save money rather than spend it all on clothing. We have more important things to spend money on, right?
10/25/18 I’m SO ready for the weekend. Aren’t you? I hope you have something really great planned!
Krystle Cook – the creator of Home Jobs by MOM – put her psychology degree on a shelf and dived into a pile of diapers and dishes instead. She is a wife and mother to two rambunctious boys, sweating it out in her Texas hometown. She loves cooking, DIY home projects, and family fun activities.
Fall Family Fun at Barton Hill Farms
“Every day is another chance to get stronger, to eat better, to live healthier, and to be the best version of you.”
I am always on the lookout for discount sales. Yesterday, I bought an Oasis blouse for only $12. The original price was $70!!
Wow. Nice job! Where did you find that deal?
In an Oasis outlet in my country. I am from Malaysia!
That’s awesome! I bet it’s beautiful there.