Shopping Rules

Have you ever gone shopping only to buy things you didn't actually need, or bought something that you wore once or twice then never wore again? Is your closet full of items but you consequently never have anything to wear? I've been there, plenty of times. Over the years though, I have learned how to control my shopping sprees and buy items I actually need. When you do this, shopping is a breeze and you end up with endless outfits.


Follow these guidelines for the perfect Thriftinista shopping experience:

1) Creating a wardrobe starts with clearing out items you no longer wear. Instead of donating all of them, see if you can resell anything so you can put whatever money you make towards your new wardrobe. I personally love Poshmark for reselling my gently used and/or new items. You'd be surprised at what will sell! Selling an old band t-shirt for $5 is still better than giving it away.

2) Next, make a list of anything you need. It's best to start off with the basic pieces. Basics are the essentials for every outfit. Don't have a simple black skirt? Add that to your list. Just like grocery shopping, using a list will help you decipher between what you need and what you want and will save you money in the end.

3) Once you have a clean slate and a list, it's time to prepare for the trip. Sign up for local consignment stores' newsletters so you know when they are having sales (which is usually pretty often.) I prefer higher-end consignment stores because you never know when you'll find a gorgeous turquoise Coach clutch for $28... ;) Shop at stores that are known for their low prices but nice items, like TJ Maxx. Try not to shop on a day that is going to be really busy because you might get flustered and end up purchasing something just to get out of the crowd.

4) If you can't find what you're looking for in stores, do some research online when you get home. If you do happen to find something you're in love with in a store, but it's too expensive, pull out your smartphone and check on eBay or other online stores right then and there! You can save so much money by doing this. I never go on a shopping trip without my phone or with it almost dead. That's a Thriftinista don't!

5) Always, always, ALWAYS keep the receipt and tags attached until you are 120% positive it is something you want to keep. My boyfriend calls me the queen of returns because I may like something in the store and decide it's not for me later on. It's okay to return! Just make sure of the store's return policy before you purchase.

6) Once you have all of your basic wardrobe pieces established, you can shop for more fun items. Just be sure to only purchase items that you will wear more than twice, so you're sure to get your money's worth.

7) Follow my rules and you'll be sure to have a wardrobe that has countless possibilities!

Other tips:

*A good pair of well-fitting, well-made jeans are better than 10 pairs of cheap ones that you only get a few uses out of. I found my favorite True Religion jeans at TJ Maxx for $60, compared to $180. $60 may sound like a lot, but they last for years and don't stretch out or fade. Some things really are worth the money.

*If you find great items at incredible discounts, you can actually resell them and sometimes make a profit! I usually don't buy an item unless I can resell it for more than I paid for it. This creates a healthier shopping scenario and encourages recycling.