Like I have said before, it is not always easy to go shopping on a small budget. It takes a lot of discipline. One thing that I find helpful, is to plan ahead before I buy. I like to do my research first and find items that I will actually get good use out of. I try to keep an ongoing list of items that I want to buy eventually. Sometimes my list changes, but I usually keep it on hand with me at all times. This way I know what I’m looking for. I try not to buy things I don’t need. Having a list helps me avoid buyers’ remorse.

I start my research by looking at Pinterest. Pinterest is a great way to keep up with the latest fashion trends. I pin looks that I think are cute and I would actually wear, but a lot of times the clothes I pin are too expensive for my budget. What I like to do is keep an eye out for cheaper options. I usually look around on the internet first to price things out. I don’t usually buy online, because I prefer to see it in person. I like to try things on and touch it before I buy it, but that’s just me. After I have an idea of how much I want to pay for something, then I can look in the stores. Sometimes I can find something right away, other times it takes me months. It took me all summer to finally find a maxi skirt that I liked.

Here is an example of how I used a Pinterest idea and found an affordable option…

I am obsessed with Tory Burch flats. They’re so cute for everyday shoes. Well, I can’t spend $200 on a pair of flats. So, I had to keep my eyes open for something similar, that was also affordable. I got lucky. At DSW, I found a pair of Audrey Brooke flats. They look very similar to the Tory Burch flats I wanted. They were originally sold for $100 at the department store, but at DSW they were marked at $59.95. Well, I found them on the clearance rack for 40% off. I also used a coupon and ended up paying $32.83 with tax. I wear them all the time and love them! No buyers remorse here.

In my last post about thrift stores, I mentioned that your not always going to have luck. Well, today I went for the big Labor Day half off sale at the Salvation Army. I spent about an hour looking around the store. I picked out about 10 items and I ended up walking out empty-handed. It’s hard when you really don’t have the extra money to spend, to buy something you don’t love. I mean, I always look for deals when I shop, but sometimes I have to ask myself “do I really need this?” So, I was a little disappointed, but it’s okay. You never know when you will find something that’s a steal. 

For example, this dress below. I found this randomly at Target last weekend. My husband and I had to stop at Target for a couple of household items. I never make it through Target without taking a quick peek at all the clearance items. I’ve been keeping my eyes open for stripes lately, so this blue and white striped dress caught my eye. I looked it over and it was in my size. Best of all the price tag read $2.06. There was no doubt in my mind that I was going to buy it. I mean, I spend more than that on a cup of coffee at Starbucks.

I wore the dress with some brown wedges and a white sweater. I just love it when I find a great deal!