Balling On A Budget: Tips On How To Shop Smart
- Catharina Foster
- Mar 15, 2018
- 3 min read
I have a confession... I'm a shopaholic. Ever since I was little one of my most favorite things to do was go shopping. I can't sing like Christina but you can bet your bottom dollar that I can put together a fire outfit out of almost anything. Some of us express our creative talents in different ways than the usual assumptive "art" categories. And I'm not talking high fashion, like the strange outfits that you see on runways and in Vogue magazine but never actually see anyone wear (LOL) but for real though, I'm 24 and have NEVER seen anyone in real life put together an outfit consisting of corduroy pants with rain boots, a see through lace top, and a bright pink fur coat the size of Jupiter, and topped off with a beret. I'm talking about real, every day fashion. I grew up in a middle class working American family, so we never had millions of dollars to spend on lavish clothing, plus, that's just outrageous anyways when you can shop smart.
My shopping hobby or maybe I should say addiction (LOL) really started to become more active after I got out of college. I was a college athlete so I never really had the desire to be fashionable daily when I could just wear sweat pants every day, because who would choose looking nice over sweat pants? You know what I mean, know what I'm saying? The transition from college to financially independent adult is rough man, you just feel broke all the time, and in reality you are broke all the time (LOL). On top of that, life happened, and I became a single mom working on hourly wage for about a year until I decided to take a risk and join the car business (it totally paid off, but that's a story for another day okay). Talk about a budget, as a parent, you have to make sure your child has EVERYTHING they need before you even think about anything for yourself. In your head you're probably like "where is she going with this blog post". WELL, let me get there okay. REGARDLESS of your financial situation, you can still look like you're ballin even if you're on a thrift store budget.
Here are some of my favorite tips to shop smart:
1. NEVER pay full price for anything unless you absolutely have to.
2. The Goodwill in the wealthiest neighborhood usually has the best merchandise.
3. Shop at name brand discount stores (i.e., TJ Maxx, Ross, Gabe's, Burlington).
4. Find out what days department stores have their markdowns.
5. Be aware of flash sales with extra discounts at department stores.
6. Find online websites with sales AND GOOD REVIEWS (i.e., Fashion Nova, Want My Look).
7. Have patience when shopping, finding amazing deals usually takes a little bit of searching.
8. Purchase fake luxury brand items (i.e., Louis Vuitton, Yeezys, Gucci) -- who cares if it's fake it's highly unlikely that someone will notice and if they do, you'll have saved thousands of dollars (all for a name).
9. *SHOCKER* Facebook Market Place actually has some gems.
10. HAVE FUN, shopping doesn't have to be a chore.
Leave me a note in the comment section with your favorite places to shop!
Checkout this video on how I spent $150 on nine items worth $500 at the department store Von Maur.
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