Thursday, April 5, 2012

Saving money on clothes

Pin It Remember when I told you that my Grandma gave me $200 for my Birthday? I actually ended with $240- I got another $20 from my SIL and another one from my MIL. After lots of planning and thinking, we decided to use $100 towards vacation, $100 for my gardening and $40 for new clothes for me. I'll show you later what I got with $40. But first, I was thinking of the ways how we save money when we buy clothes. Maybe, some of you can use these ideas too:

Shop thrift stores and yard sales in upscale areas. You can find some great bargains in thrift stores. Over the years I found quite a few nice, new or like-new pieces. But if you want a better quality, I would travel a little to go to a thrift store in a better area. People with nice income donate higher quality clothes and more likely to give away even new stuff with tags instead of returning it to the store.

Buy what you need or what you have budgeted for. No matter where you shop, when you see some bargains, it's so easy to overspend. I think, it especially applies to second-hand stores. Before you know, you have a cart full of very cute shirts that you don't really need but hey, they only cost $3!! Well, $3 adds up. Buy only what you need. And if you just want/need something new, set a certain amount aside that you can afford to spend.

Shop clearances and out of season. I do love to buy new clothes but I can never pay full price. Lots of stores have deep discounts on surplus items that they couldn't sell. And just because it's on the sale rack, doesn't mean you can't wear it next season. A flowery dress or short-sleeved shirt will look great with a jacket. Last year I got a bunch of T-shirts for the Kid for $1 each. They work great for this summer, and I saved at least $20 on them. And in March I bought a great coat for him for only $7. This coat will be great for next winter. And when you shop, don't hesitate to check even fancier stores or boutiques that you usually will never shop at. Two years ago I found a really cute dress at Nordstrom for only $6.99 on their clearance rack. You never know where you can find a treasure!

Combine sales and coupons- lots of stores allow you to use their coupons combined with other discounts. Sign up for places like Kohls, Macy's, Fashion Bug, and they will e-mail you some nice extra savings. Just a couple of weeks ago I got a $10 off $10+ Kohls coupon (one per customer). I looked at the clearance rack and found this cute mock-layer shirt:

  Original price: $44, on clearance for $8.80. I used my coupon and got it for free. My husband also received a similar coupon. He got himself a new belt that was on clearance for free.

Accessorize. This will never get old! Even a simple black dress can look so different with a bulky necklace, a bright scarf ,a brooch, a belt or a colorful purse or shoes. Top with a nice jacket, and it's a completely new outfit! Purchase accessories that are versatile and will work with different items in your wardrobe.

Have a clothes swap. Our Church has a cloth swap every year. Sometimes it's big, other years it's smaller. But it's a great way to get rid of stuff that doesn't fit or you just don't need any more, and get something new without spending any money. Organize a swap with your girlfriends (try to get at least 10 for a better variety of items), and have some fun!! Consider it your grown-up slumber party but give your hubbies a day off away from home :)

These are just a few of ideas. Feel free to add to my list. And how did I spend my $40? I bought this cute tank top in size S and this fun jacket with ruffles on the back (size 6) - click on the items, these are links. Fashion Bug usually sells clothes for girls that are a little bigger than me. But they have a part in the store with items in size S-M. But if you are sizes XS or smaller than I envy you this store might not be for you.

Total before sale: $16.99 and $39.99
Total spent after 40% ( I shopped in a store) and $10 off $25 coupon- $25 for both.
Total saved : $31.98 on both

And I also bought THE FAMOUS dress:
Total before clearance: $29.99
Total spent after clearance price and 20% off any dress Target coupon- $7.57.
Total saved : $22.42


And that means that I have about $7 left to spend. Maybe, I'll hit DI (local thrift store)
Talking about this whole outfit, it's a great example how you can spend very little and still look cute:

Dress- $7.57 (Target clearance+coupon)
Brown Jacket- free (Church cloth swap two years ago)
Shoes- $5 ( Walmart clearance last year)
Purse- $3 (thrift store)
Even nylons-free after Fashion Bug $10 off $10 homemailer coupon.
Total cost: $15.57 . I'd say,not bad!!

So how do you save money on clothes?

16 comments:

  1. Great tips!! You look absolutely fabulous in that outfit! Love it! :) I do the same things as you, thrift shops, consignment shops, etc... I also try to make a few $$ by selling some of my more expensive clothes that I don't wear.

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    1. Thanks, Carla. I've never had much success with selling clothes. I need to try again.

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  2. Not only are the savings fabulous, the dress on you is utterly fabulous ! Wish we had such great coupon savings here in Ontario ! I shop Thrift Shops, finding brand new clothes with original store tags still on them ! Also some local Swap/For Sale groups on Facebook that are local with some good deals if you are quick, in my area.

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    1. Thank you, dear Cindy! I rarely have a reason to dress up :)

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  3. How cute are you in that dress and great deals to boot!! Where do you plan on going for your vacation this year, it will be so nice to have the $$ tucked back for when you head out

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    1. We are thinking of going to Antelope Canyon in AZ (just two of us) and, maybe, a local resort for couple of days. We haven't done a family vacation in...never, actually. Last time we went was when I was pregnant with my older son (now 5). We did go to the lake the last few summers with Hubby's extended family but we really felt we needed to do something just for us. We plan on staying under $500 for both getaways with coupons and discounts.

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  4. I need to save money on my clothes! I need to have a clothing swap soon with friends.

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    1. Do it! It's a great way to get something new and save some $$$

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  5. Love the tank top and the denim jacket!! You are a very thrifty shopper - FREE clothing!! Our local thrift store (Talize) is having a 50% off everything sale this Monday. You can bet I'll be there scouting around for some good deals!

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    1. We have a local thrift store that does 50% off selected items on Mondays but often the selection is not worth a drive for me.

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  6. Great job! Me and my family don't have clothes swaps...but we do pass around the bags of clothes we're going to donate to make sure someone doesn't want them first. So it's kind of the same thing.

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    1. We usually do it with our kids. Boy's clothes in our family already went through 3 (and some through 4) kids in a family :)

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  7. I'm not much of a clothes shopper but these are definitely some awesome tips and you've made some super savings. Nothing can't beat free; unless the store paid you to take it home.

    That's some well spent birthday money.

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