The Budget Fashionista

I’ve been meaning to get this book!

thanks for all these great giveaways :)

sorry, didn’t read the rules! :)

my number 1 tip is simple, but effective.  I neger go shopping without coupons!  I receive emails with coupons from all of my favorite stores.  New York and Company ALWAYS has coupons… a few months ago I spent $90… and saved $103!

I shop online first and find things I think I might like. This way, I know what sales are coming up, if there are coupons available, and I have an idea of what I am looking to get. Otherwise, I just spend too much on things I don’t REALLY want because I get confused!

I try to shop at sales, but I also try not to buy anything that wouldn’t be worth it’s full price.

I pick out an item at store, (shoe, handbag,etc.), price it and then I go to online stores to see if I can get the same item at a discount and hopefully no Shipping charges.  Some times it works and I think it is worth the effort.

I watch sales and if something I bought recently goes on sale, I take in my receipt and get the difference refunded. Many stores will do this if the purchase was within 2 weeks.

I often shop at resale shops or discount stores first and find what I need instead of buying it at full price.

My number one shopping tip is to head straight to the clearance section and shop there.  If I don’t browse all the full price items, I can’t be tempted to spend more than needed. :)

My number one tip is to shop with only the amount of money I will spend in cash.  I leave my debit card in the car.  that way I won’t spend more than I have.

Always, always comparison shop online first.  Amazon is a great place to find deals on shoes.  You can use your favorite site to online window-shop then take the designer and shoe name to search for it at Amazon and possibly find it for a cheaper price.

www.chitownfashionista.blogspot.com

The biggest challenge for me is to wait to buy clothes when they’re still in style, but not ‘in season’-- this way they’re much cheaper.

Follow the rules. Use coupons, buy gently used, sell what you can to consigment store, donate the rest for a tax deduction. buy on sale.

My #1 Budget Shopping Tip is I try to shop once the season is over. For example once the winter season is over I can find good deals on sweaters, boots...etc. Last year I bought some Aldo Boots marked at $120 for $15. Since stores are trying to get rid of all their winter items to get ready for Spring they have really good sales! I do the same when getting my summer clothes. The important thing is trying to get pieces you know will not go out of style the following year. You still want to be a trendy Fashionista =)

My #1 shopping tip is to clip out photos of clothes/styles that you like and carry them with you when you shop.  I use a coupon organizer.  It will help you seek out the style that you like at the price you can afford.  I make a game out of it and try to see how close I can get to the high priced item for a steal!

Always check ebay first.  Often you can find the exact item, or a close copy for much less.  This is especially true of clothing from Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic and Jcrew.  Plue if you use paypal it comes staight from your bank account, so no credit cards!

My number 1 comment is to be sure you always check ebay first.  Often you can find the exact item (or a closre copy) for much less.  This is especially true for clothing from Gap, Old Navy, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic and to a lesser extent, Jcrew.  Also since paypal come straight from my checking account, no credit cards!

The first thing I do when I walk into a store is go straight to the clearance racks if they have one. Sometimes I find NOTHING and sometimes I find great deals… you just have to be patient. Another budget shopping tip I try to live by is purchasing classic pieces that will go with other articles of clothing I already have in my closet to make a new outfit. And finally… accessorize!

I love this blog. I read it everyday via bloglines. I would love to win a copy of this book. :)

I accidentally hit enter before I submitted my tip. I’ll give my current example: I’m currently looking for a winter coat since it’ll be my first winter in Chicago. So I hit up The Northface since that’s where all my friends suggest that I go. I try on their coats, and I look at the prices. Then I hit up places like Nordstorm Rack and Filene’s Basement to look at their selections. And my next step will be hitting up thrift shops and the consignment shops. :) And I also look up online reviews for each of the coats that I like so I’ll know what I’m looking for.

My #1 budget shopping tip is to look for coupon codes online or coupons to print from the web to go shopping with. I also use ebates.com to get extra rebates if I buy things online. The savings totally add up!

My shopping tip is to always think about and set limits for yourself before going shopping. I find that the times I get into trouble most are when I make impulse purchases. So, even if I’m just going to window shop, I think seriously before I go about the max I should pay for different kinds of apparel - jeans, outerwear, t-shirts, dressy blouses, shoes, bags, jewelry, etc. If I’ve carefully and realistically set these limits beforehand, I’m less likely to make impulse purchases later on. It’s become so innate, I unconsciously started doing it for other things too, like home purchases and books!

Sign up for store mailing lists. I know we all get a ton of emails these days, but its so worth it. If there is a store you like to shop at, or even one you would love to shop at if you could afford it, sign up for their mailing list. You will always be the first to know about sales, coupons, and other special deals. I even sign up for lists at some male clothing stores just so I know the best time to get gifts!

I always try to buy on sale and have a coupon/discount code.

Follow the rules.  Use coupons, shop sales, buy gently used. Sell what you can to consignment stores.  Donate the rest and take it off your taxes.

you say this in your book also, but i can’t stress it enough: ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS try EVERYTHING on before you buy it!  EVEN PAJAMAS!!  it is NOT frugal to have to drive all the way back to a store to return something you could have avoided buying in the first place.....if you’d just tried it on!  i can’t begin to tell you how much money i have saved following this one rule!  ok, i know you asked for only one but this is a good rule also.......carry cash with you.  when i have shopped with cash i stick to a budget much easier......the mindset is, once the cash is gone, the shopping trip is done!