On one hand, shopping for clothes can be relaxing and offer the chance to express yourself. On the other hand, shopping for clothes can be tiresome and cost you valuable time and money. Regardless of your feelings about clothes shopping you’ve likely made an impulse purchase of what’s trending now or something that caught your eye only to pay for it when you scan your credit card statement at the end of the month.
You are not alone because the average American will spend approximately $1700 on clothes annually, which comes out to over $100 a month. Clothes are responsible for two percent of the household budget which is actually more than household spending on gas.
Is that the amount of money you want to spend on clothing? Is it even in your budget to purchase whatever clothes are in style right now? The good news is that it is possible to have a closet full of stunning clothes and money in the bank. Just follow the tips below and you’ll be on your way to becoming more mature with your clothes shopping and saving money as you do it.
Outline a plan
Being smart about your clothing choices begins before you start shopping at the mall or your favorite store. First, take a look at what’s in your closet already and consider the following questions: Which pieces can be thrown out or donated? What type of basic clothing is most needed? Put together a shopping list for the mall just like you would if you were going to the grocery store.
To make sure you buy only the items you need you have to set a budget before you go. All too often shoppers end up in financial hardship when they purchase whatever looks good in the store. When you set a spending limit you are making sure that you spend only what you can afford.
If you find that you need almost everything, consider going for a capsule wardrobe. That way you only need 30 or fewer pieces for each season to comprise your wardrobe. Although there are fewer clothes to choose from you’ll save money up front and become way more creative with mixing and matching your pieces.
Take advantage of sales
Look for one of the many ways to save money when you shop for clothing. One way is to search for target promo codes online before you shop. Every time you shop there is an opportunity to save so be sure to check out online discount websites and sign up for daily deals. You can find deals on the clothes you were going to buy anyway through websites such as SlickDeals.
Stay on top of any discounts offered by your favorite stores. Many retailers offer reward programs newsletters and email lists that are filled with offers. Sign up for any free program you can that will save you money. Don’t forget to ask if they have any military student or senior discounts if they apply to you. Check for online deals on sites like Raise and you will enjoy big savings!
Another great way to save is to shop at small retail stores. When you compare the prices of large and small retail outlets you’ll see that you can get top brands for a fraction of the cost at small stores. You’ll typically find better prices with the same quality you’ve come to expect and perhaps a selection that better suits your style. When making online purchases consider using a debit card instead of a credit card because you will be likely to spend less when you feel the impact of your purchase right away.
If you are extremely concerned about your budget then it’s time to head to second-hand shops, thrift stores and consignment shops. When in doubt you can always organize a party with your friends to swap clothing. All of the guests bring clothing they either don’t wear much anymore or are the wrong size, and the other guests can pick new items from the rack of second hand clothes.
Time your shopping trip
By timing your shopping trip correctly, you can save a lot of money at different points in the year. Consider fighting the crowds of Black Friday and other major retail holidays, like Memorial Day and Labor Day, to benefit from special discounts. Another good thing to do is to go shopping at the close of every retail season. You can buy next year’s holiday outfit in January, Easter dresses at the end of April and Summer clothes as July closes out for much less than in the heart of the retail season.
Take care of the clothes you own
The easiest way to spend less on clothes is to keep the clothes you do have in good condition. If you care for your clothes appropriately, you won’t need new ones as often. Check the tag of every garment and you’ll find out exactly how you should be washing it. Take the time to hang up or fold your clothes as opposed to throwing them in your drawer.
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