10 {NO FAIL} Affordable Shopping Tricks

Oooh yeah, I recently shared one of my favorite affordable shopping tricks – buying outside your regular size.  I see you guys enjoy those, so this will be a fun post for you because I have several more affordable shopping tricks to share!

Here’s the deal… I don’t like spending money on clothes.  Generally speaking, clothing is not something I enjoy dumping a lot of money into.  I don’t like to wear the same pieces over & over again (*yawn*) & purchasing an expensive sweater makes me feel like I need to keep it for 19 years & wear it every other day.  If I don’t spend a lot, I’m good donating to Goodwill & purchasing NEW!

Spend your money on accessories, shoes, and purses.  You can keep any of those items for a long time & wear them with several different outfits – always keeping the look fresh!  Never boring.  A sweater? Not my big ticket choice.  Because of my shopping preference, I’ve become the QUEEN of shopping hacks.  I still want the reputable brands & trending looks,  so I needed to figure out a different way to get them for 1/2 the price.  And I’ve come up with 10 different ways.

10 {NO FAIL} Affordable Shopping Tricks

1. Buy Outside Your Size: You may think you have to look for sizes larger than your own – but don’t limit yourself that way.  Some brands run big, so there might be something sitting in a smaller size that won’t fit a smaller body, but it’ll fit yours! Always look in dramatically different sizes!  I have a size XS skirt from JCrew I found for $10 & a size XL turtleneck I found from JCrew for $15 – I don’t even know what my real size is at this point!
2. Buy Off-Season:  My most common sense tip, but still worth mentioning.  If you find a pair of shorts, from a reputable brand, that’s heavily discounted… in the WINTER?  Consider purchasing them!  You’ll thank yourself in the summer 🙂
3. Buy Makeup Online:  Eeeek another favorite tip of mine!  ALWAYS buy your makeup & skincare products online!  When you order through Sephora or Ulta, check their current online “deals”.   For example, I ordered from Sephora at a time when they were offering a {20} Sample TOP Brand Foundation pack with any $50 purchase & boy did it pay off!  I was going to spend $50 in store anyway, but online – the foundation was included & worth it! I didn’t have to buy foundation for nearly 6 months!
4. Try It On: When you’re shopping sales, the clothing isn’t typically styled & hung on a mannequin – it’s shoved in the back among other misfits.  You have to be creative & have an open mind.  I recommend grabbing a handful of stuff & trying them all on.  Even if you’re on the fence, try it on!  Once upon a time, that item was styled & beautifully presented to a customer making many people buy it.
5. Never Skip the Sale Rack: Every store has a sale rack, every single one.  START there.  If you don’t find anything, then you work your way into the rest of the store.  If you start in the store with a few things in your hand you’ll either skip the sale rack completely, or you’ll regret wasting your time in the rest of the store when you see the gold mine that’s on sale.
6. Check in Store & Online:  I typically find the best sale pieces IN store.  More discounted & available in stock when shopping in the store itself.  As much as I love shopping online {literally my favorite activity ever}, it’s not necessarily the best for finding the best sales.  You’ll find sales, but maybe not the BEST.  Check both!
7. Sign Up for Email List:  Junk mail is a very real thing, but retail store email’s are NOT a part of the junk.  You can always find the best sales by being a part of email lists, so always sign up!
8. Pay Attention to Shipping Charges:  Shipping is a bitch, so don’t pay for it.  These days, there are ways around paying for shipping.  Always meet the minimum spend, that’s better than paying $12 in shipping.  Wait for an email to come through w free shipping.  Or buy in the store.  Also! Check for FREE returns.
9. Buy Outside Your Gender:  If you haven’t walked across the aisle yet, you’re missing out.  I own a ton of Men’s clothing.  Sometimes the color, sizing options, pricing & comfort of men’s clothing can far surpass women’s clothing –  even on the sale rack.  I tend to gravitate toward the Tshirts & Sweaters but won’t scare away from shoes or even pants?  Trust me.  My fav places for men’s clothing is Forever 21 & Urban Outfitters, I usually check Men’s first when shopping there.
10. Be Patient: You’re probably wondering, “but Katie, I really want this hot new brand’s new release, it always sells out right away!”.  True, it will sell out.  Then, the RETURNS will come flowing in & stores will have a surplus of product.  In time, it’ll go on sale, trust me!  For example, all my Something Navy pieces from the Nordstrom launches were purchased on a heavy discount at Nordstrom Rack.  Even though, when the pieces first launch, they sell out in minutes!!  At the end of the day, convenience wins sometimes & it’s easier to buy full price than look for something cheaper – It’s up to you.

I hope these 10 Affordable Shopping Hacks are going to help you fill your closets for LESS!  Let me know if you want to see more, I’m addicted to finding clothing at a good price.  I’m in understanding some people are different, Wafiq would rather walk into Nordstrom, do a year of shopping with a big price ticket in one day than hunt around for a sale.   Fine.  We’re different.

If YOU have any affordable shopping hacks, share below!

{be thoughtful.}

Xx

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