Styling on a Budget

Like many people, I love fashion and shopping but don't always care for retail prices.  With a little planning, you can save a large amount of money on clothing and accessories.  These are a few strategies I have developed over the years to save money on clothing.  

Thrift Stores

I wouldn't be lying if I admitted over 90% of my wardrobe has come from thrift stores over the years.  Thrift stores generally give you a lot of bang for your buck.  Occasionally you can find items with tags still attached.  Thrifting is very hit or miss, so be patient and do not give up easily.  Visit other nearby thrift stores if you don't luck out after several visits.  Find out if there is a certain day of the week they restock merchandise.  Look at all the racks of clothing, including sizes you don't wear - I often find thrift store sizing to be odd and misplaced, so you could miss out on some great items if you don't look outside of your normal size. 

Consignment Shops

Second-hand consignment shops are generally a little pricier than thrift stores, but also stock a higher quality of clothes.  Nevertheless, they are still a great option for finding inexpensive clothing items.  Plato's Closet is a chain of consignment shops that my friends and I like to frequent.  Several of my favorite skirts and tops have come from there. 

Yard Sales

Some people have great success with clothes shopping at yard sales.  Though I have never had a lot of luck with this method, some people find amazing clothing items at yard sales for the cheapest prices around.  

Department Store Sales

Clearance racks can yield great inexpensive finds at department stores, especially for off-season items.  Sign up for promotional emails from your favorite department store - though these emails are annoying at times, the best coupons usually come through email, so keep an eye out for them.  Stay on the lookout for coupons that can be used in conjunction with other coupons to stack greater savings.  Be strategic with timing: most sales seem to run on weekends and holidays, so these are great times to add to your wardrobe. Likewise, if it's June 28th and you have your eye on an item, wait a few days closer to the July 4th holiday when sales may be running.  Belk and Kohls are two of my favorite stores for inexpensive clothing of high quality. 

 

Going Out of Business Sales

Though a sad time for the business involved, you can find items at a fraction of the original price.

Clothing Swaps with Friends

A great way to refresh your wardrobe and purge items you don't wear anymore. 

With a little strategy and perseverance, it is quite easy to save money on clothing.  What are some of your favorite inexpensive clothing finds?

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day, friends!  As someone who has never had a Valentine (wow, that sounds so depressing, I don't mean it that way!) I have always tried to make Valentine's Day cards for my family to remind them how much I love them on this day.  My family has blessed me as well with precious Valentine's Day cards over the years.  For many years when my sister and I were young, we looked forward to our annual "Valentine's Day Tea," where we would dress up, make tea using the fancy teapot, make little sandwiches and cookies, and use the nice china.  Last year I had the privilege of making Valentine's Day Cards for my patients in the hospital that day.  Being in the hospital is never really fun, so it was a sweet opportunity to bless others.  For those ladies like myself patiently waiting for a Valentine of our own, I encourage you to not lose hope, and WAIT for the right one!  God's timing is perfect, and if it be His will, I look forward to one day when I will celebrate Valentine's Day in that way.  Until then, I will pray for my future husband.  I will pray that God plants godly influences in His life and that He builds my husband's character.  God already knows exactly who He has set aside for me, and until He reveals to me who that is, I will wait patiently because the right man is worth every moment of waiting.