Shop Till You Drop: On Your Budget

I'm a big fan (alright HUGE fan) of buying clothes I can't afford. Correction: clothes that I couldn't afford if I didn't buy them on sale. I also am an even bigger fan on finding the perfect gift. It's April and I already have Christmas gifts for friends ... you think I'm kidding, but I'm not.

So how does this work? Well, the answer is simple (sort of):

1. Know Your Brands: What clothes fit you well? What clothes are great quality and wash well? Are they dry clean (ugh) or machine washable? What size are you in each of your brands? Do they run big or small? All key questions to know the answer too. Also know when your brands go on sale (critical) - often centered around the holidays (MDW, 4th of July, Black Friday, Post Christmas).

2. Do Your Research: If you see a pair of shoes on sale, or another piece, do a quick #Google. Are they the same price elsewhere? I once saw a pair of #StuartWeitzman pumps on Amazon - the size 10 was $149.99 and the size 6 (my size) was $398.00 (regular price). I called #Amazon and told them they were discriminating based on small feet. They were not amused. Nor did they price match. Guess it wasn't mean to be.

3. Shop by Season: Nowadays, many clothes are season-less, and can be dressed up or down. Take advantage of it!! You want outfits that can be worn to the office, or on the go. My personal favorite are clothes that don't wrinkle - let's be honest - who actually likes to iron or has the time to? I find that my 'iron required' pieces are normally not worn as often as my grab and go items, and don't travel as well. Another fun fact: many offices (including mine) have new dress code policies, so do some research (and notice what others are wearing too). The saying rings true: "dress for the job you want, not the job you have."

4. Shop High Quality: Many of my pieces (yes, I call them pieces, they are true works of art) are oldies, but goodies. They are pricey, but I love them. They are also timeless. Go to H&M or Zara for trends. Go to Barneys, Neimans, or Saks for your classics. A leather jacket - classic. A good pair of boots - even better. Those kick ass jeans - wonderful.

5. Make Friends: With your sales people, and bring your most trusted confidants. For me, its Q, my mom, and a few of my best friends (Kell, Frances, and Katie). They are honest, and thoughtful:

- "Do you really need that?"

- "You could do better."

- "You have something very similar..."

- "You could buy that anywhere, don't spend a fortune on it."

Happy Shopping!

All My Best,

AA

One of my favorite shopping buddies - Frances!

#Collaboration #ShopTillYouDrop #Allthebest

Note: The ideas above are strictly my own, and should not be taken as any sort of financial or investment advice. I am not a licensed financial planner, and these ideas do not guarantee any sort of return (or loss) in today's marketplace. Thank you!