Some people do not feel the need to be frugal because they have enough finances to cover their needs. What they do not realize is that they can get more out of life by adopting a frugal mindset. Being frugal doesn’t mean sticking to cheap products or depriving yourself of luxury. A frugal person simply makes the most out his resources and shops wisely. The end result is less waste, extra savings, and more things to enjoy. Fashion divas can benefit a lot from frugality. This mindset promotes efficient shopping that gives you more for less. If you are ready to be frugal, then here are some steps that can lead to a fashionably frugal but fabulous life.
Plan your Wardrobe. Fashion conscious individuals usually change their wardrobes according to trends. You can plan your wardrobe requirements a season ahead to avoid unnecessary splurges that comes with last minute shopping. The safest route is to make a list of fashion pieces that you would like to wear for the season. This should include basic clothes for regular days or casual events and gorgeous outfits for special gatherings. The little black dress and a white button down shirt are samples of closet staples. What you need for a fresh look are clothes that fit the current trends. Choose versatile pieces that can be worn for different occasions to make the most out of your purchases. I keep an eye out for trends from Fashion Week when planning my wardrobe. Knowing what you want and what you need can help you make better purchases. Not to mention saving you time and money on your shopping activities.
Give your Closet a Regular Check-up. The closet is your style arsenal. Make sure that you are properly equipped for any event by giving it a regular check-up. Armed with your wardrobe list for the season, you can evaluate your closet contents and pick the ones that fit your requirements. This is also a good opportunity to organize your closet and dispose of other items that you don’t use anymore. I do my closet check-up just before the season changes. This helps me free up some space for new acquisitions and use outdated or old pieces for something else.
Make Your Own Fashion Statement. One frugal strategy for closet make-overs is to recycle or Up-cycle old items. You can tap your creative side and find ways to convert old clothes and discarded items into fashionable pieces. It can be as simple as converting your old ripped off jeans into cut-off shorts or fashionable denim shorts. If your old jeans doesn’t fit you anymore, then you can refashion it into a denim bag.
A little creativity can also help you upgrade the look of your classic pieces. Dyeing an old plain shirt can turn it into a trendy top for the beach. You can even cross-over to your husband’s closet and turn his old shirt into a tank top for summer. There are plenty of Up-cycling ideas that you can use to get new outfits without spending money. I get my inspiration for DIY and refashioned pieces from etsy and pinterest. You can also find patterns and instructions for refashioning clothes from allfreesewing.com Aside from new fashion pieces, you can also convert old clothes to practical household items like pillow cases, placemats, or aprons. Choose versatile pieces that can be worn for different occasions to make the most out of your purchases. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to look like a style star such as Kate Bock or Olivia Palermo.
Develop a Passion for Bargain Hunting. This doesn’t necessarily mean buying cheap items only. Fashion divas can develop their eye for style, quality, and value by hunting for the best prices in clothes and accessories. Knowing where to get discounts and promotional freebies helps you find more affordable pieces without sacrificing style or quality. You can still stick to your favorite fashion brands and get new clothes on a discount by grabbing promo offers. This may take some effort but the savings that you earn is worth it. I always look out for coupons from my favorite retail sites so I don’t miss out on savings opportunities. I also subscribe to newsletters from shopping sites that I frequent. This makes finding discount deals for items that I like a lot easier.
Be Enterprising. Sell your old stuff and get money to buy new stuff. Being frugal doesn’t stop at cutting on costs. You also have to recognize the value of items that you no longer need and make profit out of it. Even your coupons can be resold if you don’t intend to use them before they expire. The question is where to sell your stuff?
There are several venues for disposing closet and household items.
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Yard Sale. You can hold it in your own yard or join a neighborhood yard sale. The good thing about face to face selling is that you can have the opportunity to sell more by promoting other items that your customer may not have noticed.
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Thrift Stores and Consignment Shops. Those who don’t have time to sell the stuff themselves can bring them to thrift shops like BuffaloExchange and PlanetXchange. They keep you clothes in their store and pay you when the item is sold. Be ready to share your profits as these shops usually work on a commission basis.
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Online Sites. Look for an online site that can help you dispose of your old clothes and accessories at a good price. E-bay, Amazon and Craigslist are popular sites for selling any item. There are also online consignment shops like The RealReal and Poshmark for selling your designer threads.
Keep Tabs on Your Savings and Reward Yourself. Saving money is just one of the rewards of a frugal lifestyle. Keeping tabs on how much you have saved from your shopping budget can motivate you to stick with the frugal trend. Don’t forget to reward yourself from time to time. Remember the objective for being frugal is for you to enjoy more from life.
Contrary to what some people think, being frugal doesn’t lessen your worth. It simply helps you maximize your resources to live a better life. This equates to the efficient management of your finances, less waste in the environment, and extra savings for your future use. Don’t be afraid to step into the frugal path. You can enjoy luxuries in life and be frugal at the same time.
