The Budget Fashionista

I have to admit that I’m an avid shopper.  There are so many great deals out there.  I simply can’t resist passing up great prices.  Sale? Free shipping? Where? I’ll be right there. I’ve been going on spending sprees for quite some time and I’m loving every minute of it.

Hundred dollar bills are going like twenties.
I’m still buying, but thinking a great deal about every purchase. I also try everything on. If it doesn’t look great in the store, I don’t buy it. I also have a hard time going over a certain price point, though admitedly, I did find a pair of Oh! Shoes on sale at a website called 6 p.m.

What I do every Friday is take out a stack of money, and pay most of my week’s expenses from the stack --everything from kid’s doctor’s appointments to groceries and gasoline. This ensures there’s enough money for bills and to set aside for savings.

Hi,

I think with the price of gas, I will be doing more shopping online.
Especially with the sites that offer free shipping and returns!

As our economy dips the musts take over the wants.  I’m really big on telling my clients to work on building a staple wardrobe which will last a few years.  This means staying away from the ultra trendy, which are usually ultra expensive as well.  Rather than buying a pair of animal print wedges, you should opt to buy a color that goes with everything such as a tan, brown, or black.

Yes, I am spending less. It’s a bummer not being able to shop as freely as I used to, but it’s good training for exercising more restraint when I do have more disposable income. Like Michael, I’m focusing on buying fewer trendy pieces and opting instead for versatile items that can be worn with anything.

The soaring oil prices are affecting the costs of everything from food to gas. There are also significant issues on local and global environmental impact. While there are many issues, we need to look at our next leader and determine which will have the best course of action going forward.
i wouldn’t know the first thing about all this hoopla as i am just a biker chick, and usually get everything for free but i found this poll thing of sorts at pollcash and it is interesting how they forming an unofficial debate/poll of sorts about this whole oil drilling thing. anywho, this is what it says in the headline:
“Barack Obama and John McCain have made recent statements on US offshore oil drilling while on the US presidential campaign trail. Listen to...” read the whole story here

No.....I think I’m actually spending more!  With the economic down turn, retailers have been heavily discounting and promoting with sales.  Since sales are sluggish, I’ve noticed an increased variety of styles and sizes on the clearance rack!  If I’m not spending more, I’m certainly getting more bang for my buck.

Usually I am quite tight with my clothing budget - everything purchased must be a great deal/steal AND I must love the item.  Nowadays with all the sales and stuffed clearance sections, a lot of items are falling under my “great deal/steal” threshold in price.

However, my life situation is a bit different from other people on the board.  I have few fixed expenses aside from rent, I buy and cook for one person only (and I don’t eat that much), and I do not own a car so gas prices have not hit me directly.  I walk everywhere.  I rarely use public transit, so sadly I’m stuck in my area of town.  However, I live downtown so there are at least 3 major shopping areas within walking distance.

Live one block from a grocery store.  Lots of in-season fruits and veggies right now, so not bad price-wise.

Its not only economic goes down, the price of fuel also goes high…
So, I do less shopping in the mall but buying online instead...especially for clothes, accessories and other stuffs. Its not only that, instead of paying high price for branded items, I choose cheaper choices but still look fabulous. Not branded things does not means you wont look good.

I missed the end of summer sales due to downsizing. I think very carefully about what I need before parting with hard saved money. Of course there are deals that you just can’t pass up (I once passed up a Coach wallet for $50-never again!) so I adjust my budget accordingly.

My spending AND strategy are changing, simply because life’s basics like food, gas, heating oil ( we heat water with
oil ), and groceries are up. So my line items on my budget have changed to more money.  I am trying to shave 10% off of each line item, including my car, home and life insurance. I am also careful with meal planning. I am buying more of my children’s clothes on consignment and fewer clothes for them.

The other side of the coin is that I am cutting back on clothing and accessories, etc. to free up cash so that I can INVEST some money. The stock market is so low that there are some real bargains out there - just like clothes. I am not talking about tons. But there are so many companies that do DRIPS and you can buy their stocks directly from the company with out a commission and do $50 a month or $100.  It is like like Marc Jacobs at Sally ( Salvation Army ). But I am being careful, just like poor quality clothes, you can buy poor quality stocks too. A little goes a long way. I figure if I can put an extra $1000 into the stock market for the year, I should do well. After the 9/11 attacks and the crash that followed, I picked up Coach stock with some gift money my husband had given me over a couple of years that I had saved instead of spending. Well, that $1700.00 paid 50 % our mortgage in 7 years ( PLUS a Marc by Marc Jacobs topper and 3 Coach bags).

I have a shopping savings account and I am foregoing a new winter coat and a nice pair of leather boots for some stocks ( I had been saving for two years for those ). I also am returning a gold, rolling tri-color ring so that I can buy stock ( nothing in the financial or retail sector though ! ).

I take what the BF puts down very seriously. You can’t be fabulous if you are bankrupt. And just like good sales on clothes and accessories, every once in a while, there is a fire sale on stocks, too !!!!!