BOUJIE ON A BUDGET

Spending habits are not cheap. Well, it's literally in the name of “spending” habits. To contain and minimize the number of dollars we are spending while still getting what we want, I have some tips for shoppers of all ages. First, let's get into the statistics of how much people are spending. “Consumer spending consistently accounts for about 70% of the U.S. economy” according to Investopedia. These buying habits can leave people taking up to 41 minutes in a store. This statistic is only from a grocery store! Imagine the amount of time we take in a mall, or ROSS, or TJ MAXX! Because we are constantly trying to stay up to date with the latest trends and merchandise, it is important to remember one thing; personal shopping does not have to be expensive. And here's how:

“When I shop, the world gets better, and the world is better, but then it's not, and I need to do it again."

(Confessions of a Shopaholic-the movie)”

― Sophie Kinsella”

Budget: Seems simple right? Wrong. We see it, we like it, we want it, but…. Can't afford it. If you're anything like me, buying things gives you great pleasure. However, we want more than we can handle. Here's a tip on how to stop disappointing yourself when shopping: 1. ASK YOURSELF, WILL I WANT THIS IN 5 YEARS? We typically spend out of impulse, ruling out temptation. Is it something you need right now? Will you get much use out of this item? Of course, we are human, and we love to treat ourselves. Giving in to temptation is normal, but what I found best to do when buying unnecessary items; I will leave them at the store then if I go home and I am still thinking about them a few days later, that is when I will purchase. However, having a budget while shopping is crucial to your shopping experience. You should not overpay what your limits are, remember you are in charge of your decision-making! As I will repeat, we buy on impulse, so when we come to terms that we never really needed that specific item, we feel much better about not impulse buying!

Coupons: If you want something, you ask-right? This concept is the same as couponing. If you put in the effort to find that 10% off coupon, that is money saved! If you always want to shop smart, this is a great way. Subscribing to emails, following store social media platforms, and simply googling coupons for your preferred store, are all ways in which you can save money. It is the attention to detail that most people do not take advantage of that can help one in the long run. Money is money, and if you're saving it while still getting what you want, there is no negative here.

Sale/clearance: Shopping in the clearance section has many perks to it. There are past season items or slightly damaged that can be fixable. Clearance shopping is my favorite because that is where I know I can get something I may want or have wanted. Also, there is money in these items! How? Sometimes items do not sell in stores so much, that they drastically drop the price. I once found Marc Fisher's heels retail at $249.99 on clearance for $14.00 at T.J. MAXX. Now that is a steal, as well as a PROFIT. Investing your time in buying low-priced items and reselling them on sites such as Mercari, Posh mark, or eBay is full of benefits. Now, I am not telling you to spend more than needed, because that is not why you are here. What I am telling you is that there is so much opportunity to find something you love in the clearance section that replicates something full price.

Alternatives: For as long as I could remember, I've wanted a GUCCI handbag. When I hit 21 I finally said to myself “okay, I'm going to treat myself”. And guess what? I bought my dream handbag. How many times have I used it you may ask? 0. I have been too scared of ruining its beauty, and for that price, there is no way I would make it my daily purse. Let me provide another example that we ALL are victims of. As social media creates an audience making items trendy, we again see, like it, want it…. But we can't afford it. We idolize not only the people wearing these items but the items themselves. We create fantasies about these items but disappoint ourselves when we find out the cost. And yes, we can save the money to buy it. But who likes the waiting game? My suggestion for you is to buy the alternative. Tiktok and Instagram fashion have ruled the media creating trendy styles. Surprisingly, we can find these styles much cheaper than what others have paid for. SHEIN is a great website that creates fashionable dupes of items. Small businesses create their take on it, and you can too. Even stores like ROSS or Marshalls provide trendy alternatives that may not be the same, but that is where your creativity comes in. We all love fashion, but we can't look the same! In taking the inspiration from these beloved items we see in the media, we may not be able to replicate them, but we can build our original versions of them. That is the fun of fashion, there is no wrong, it is simply how you think.

DIY: Have you ever felt the serotonin in completing something you've accomplished or even made? That is exactly why DIYing provides for you. Sure, we are not all crafty, but the art is in “the happy mistakes” as Bob Ross repeatedly stated. Here's an example for a picture of what I am blabbing about; you know that tie-dye jogger set you saw for $90? What if I told you, you could run to Walmart and DIY your own? This is true, YouTube is a great source for all things DIY. TikTok is another awesome resource for crafts. Thrifting is a great start for inspiration or testing your DIY skills too! There, you can find and try new styles and make an outfit come to life all while adding your twist on them! DIYing will never go out of style. It is an awesome way to save money as well as put your mix and touch to your items. I recommend Michaels or Dollar Tree stores for the best crafts. You might say “but isn't it more expensive? Wrong. You can get more for your buck! Instead of making one tie-dyed sweatshirt, the number of crafts in one package will give you the creative freedom to make 3 more on top of that! (don't quote me) but you get the picture! Thrifting as an alternative to DIYing has become super popular too. It’s interesting to shop around a thrift store and find unique items that may spark your interest in something else!

Inspiration: As mentioned before, we are constantly influenced by the media and celebrities. As we obtain inspiration from our media outlets, our creativity runs free, and this is the best way to come up with your vision of what you want and how you can do it. An app that comes to mind is Pinterest. One can create mood boards and create pins to your profile that collage your interests. Pinterest is an awesome way to create a vision of your likes and piece them together to make something come from it. For example, I have pins labeled “Hair, Nails, Crafty” ...etc. These boards help me create my ideas of interest so when I shop, I am inspired to find these items. Now, the best part about Pinterest is the links that are provided by other people where you can shop or find dupes of certain items. Much like Instagram, Pinterest pieces together with your preferred media and creates a specific for your page.

Outlet malls: Outlet stores provide all of your shopping needs at a fraction of the price. Most of my designer items are from outlet malls for this reason. Not even the TJ. MAXX designer purse prices can compare to the prices at outlet stores! Outlet stores usually have a sale with an additional percentage off on top of it. I have found my Michael Kors purses retail $400 outlet mall price of $80. This is a great way to save money in finding the items you think you cannot afford. The selection of items sold at outlet malls is usually a past season or a few weeks old merchandise. This allows you to still be in trend and not shop at the retail price that is simply not within budget. Some sale items at outlet malls are made in bulk making the prices super discounted. However, we rarely see these items multiple times if you visit an outlet mall throughout the year. My suggestion to you is to save up however much your budget is and buy what you want at the outlet stores because you may not see them again! Also, outlet stores usually provide external discounts such as military or school. All you have to do is ask and you shall receive!

Thrifting: This is probably one of my favorite low-budget-friendly options on this list. So, of course, I saved the best for last. Thrifting has not only become a new norm due to its popularity taken over on social media, but it is also one of the best ways to shop on a budget. TikTok influencers, I included, provide hauls, locations on where to thrift, and inspire uniqueness. The quirkiness that comes from thrifting allows one to go out of his or her comfort zone, and find pieces for discounted prices, all while providing a clothing haul for a fraction of retail prices. Thrifting allows you to venture out and create a unique look for not only yourself but for your bathroom, bedroom, or even kitchen. The items at thrift stores help you develop a unique style as well as a cheaper one. All these perks come with thrifting and without even thinking about it, you too are giving back! Stores like the Salvation Army give their proceeds to charity work, according to Treehugger. It is an amazing way to have sustainable fashion while finding your sense of style and even trendy ones! All in all, thrifting is an adventure, it comes with patience, effort, and originality.

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/consumer-spending.asp

https://www.treehugger.com/reasons-why-thrift-stores-are-awesome-4858280