14 Frugal Shopping Tips: Confessions of a Shopaholic Fashionista

1. Bring along a calculator (or use the one on your cell phone) to help you make shopping decisions based on tax, percentage markdowns, etc.

2. Before you go out there and shop, try to figure out what you need based on your current wardrobe. Then make a list and try to stick to it! Do you really need yet another dress in your overstocked closet? Will another pair of pumps really make a difference? If the answer is no, avoid swiping that credit card.

Make sure you don’t get carried away with all the other marked-down items you’ll find during sales. Stop yourself from impulse buying and stick to your list, as much as you can.

3. Always ask a salesperson about the store’s next sale (no one wants to buy a sweater the day before it’s marked down). Befriend the sales staff at your favorite stores, or sign up for their mailing list so you can find out about sales before they can happen- and never pay full price!

4. Buy pieces that look good on you and you feel comfortable in—not because they look good on a model in a glossy magazine or they’re the latest must-have item.

5. Keep an open mind. The best bargains are usually found in the off-season summer clothes are on sale in fall, winter clothes are marked down in spring, etc. If you leave the house thinking that you need a red T-shirt and a red T-shirt only, you can miss out on a lot. If you’re still growing, you might need to pay attention to what may or may not fit six months down the road.

6. Put things on hold if you’re not really sure about purchasing them. Chances are, you don’t really need such pieces. Wait a day or two to see if you really want to spend on a particular item so there are no regrets.

7. Consider the “price per wear.” Remember the equation from the budget section? If you’re going to wear something for years until if falls apart, it’s worth the investment.

8. If you can’t wear a new item with at least two things you already own, skip it. You may love that crazy vest you found for 70% off, but if you have to buy an entire outfit to wear with it, it’s no bargain.

9. Don’t shop when you are hungry. If you’re hungry, it clouds your judgment: you’re either light-headed from hunger and rushing through the store so you can get to lunch or just plain not feeling good (and therefore not feeling good about yourself). Bring an emergency snack in your bag if you have to, or schedule your shopping trips for after lunch. If you’re having a hard time making a decision about something, ask if you can put it on hold for a couple of hours and comeback after you eat.

10. Wear comfortable shoes (if you’re planning to shop for shoes, bring the correct weight socks along for the type of shoes you’re planning to buy). If you’re going to be walking the mall or standing up sifting through racks at a discount or vintage store, it helps to be comfortable. Pinched toes or blisters can cut your trip short and make you miss out on something cute.

11. Don’t buy anything that’s a size too small because you’re hoping to lose those extra five pounds. Choose items that fit you and look great on you now.

Sizing can be really irregular, so ignore the numbers and look for the best fit instead. One store’s 5 can be another store’s 7, or even a 3. If you’re usually a small but a medium fits better, who cares? What’s important is that the clothes fit correctly- they don’t bind or pinch your skin, or sag and droop. No two girls ever have the exact same body, do they? While it helps to have a general idea of what size you wear, it really isn’t as important as how it fits you body.

12. Check for snags, holes, stains, tears, pen marks, or other damage before you buy anything. A missing button can be replaced, but a makeup stain on the collar of a white shirt can be tough to remove, and impossible to return once you’ve bought it.

13. Want to update that little black dress or other classics without spending too much? Try doing so with the use of trendy but inexpensive belts, bangles or strands of necklaces. To save money you can shop online. If you prefer a pearl necklace or other pearl jewelries like pearl earrings, pearl barcelets or pearl pendants; try Samantha Rose: Exclusive Pearl Jewelry Designs (www.samantharose.us). They offer premium pearls jewelries with elegant designs at affordable prices. You will surely find a chic pearl jewelry to your liking.

14. Bring a bottle of water in your bag to stay hydrated, you’re are tired and sluggish and generally not feeling great. If you’re on your feet for hours, it can be exhausting, and you need all the help you can get. You’ll never catch a celebrity shopper without a giant bottle of water in her oversized bag, and know you know why.
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