Shopping On A Budget

Lets get savvy...

I, for one am constantly shopping on a budget, whether it be buying a pair of necessary work shoes from a trustworthy retail establishment or purchasing a new boho shirt from a recently discovered vintage boutique. Over the past few months, I have discovered a few tricks of the trade on how to be savvy on buying clothing online or in-store. With voucher and coupon websites in full swing and a new hunger for charity shops, buying on a budget is becoming increasingly easier. 

1. Look out for imperfections or flaws in the clothing-  

Notice a rip at the side of a play-suit or a make-up stain on the collar or the white blouse you where admiring. Why move on and ignore it when you could could get a discount from up to 70% off! DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. 

Summary- Inquire the store if they will apply a discount to the specific item if you notice an imperfection. 

2. Keep in mind- Quality not quantity. 

Looking around the catastrophic maze of Primark, I scavenge for a navy blazer in a size 6 but notice the last one is being snatched by a young women in black. We exchange an expression, hers of content and smugness and mine of misery, then continue with our struggle to find another decent item. After hoarding low-cost retail stores such as Primark for a good hour my paper bag starts to fill with relentless amounts of clothing which will probably spend their lifetimes at the bottom of my wardrobe without any affection. I ask myself, why have I spend a twenty pound note on trash that I shall never wear, when I could have saved it and put it towards a better cause, maybe a trench coat from Zara that I could have worn each of day of winter on the to work? We should always consider the quality of each item, for a little extra money, good fabrics will last a lifetime, and won't lose their shape and colour like cheaper alternatives quickly do.

Summary- Spending just a little more really will result in being more cost-effective in the long run as it is better to buy the best you can afford and wear it for years and years, until it literally falls apart. 

3. Avoid Impulse-Buying.

Impulse-buying is a bad habit that often results in the regretful purchase of ill-fitting, ugly clothes we simply don't want. In order to avoid impulse-buying, take plenty of time whilst shopping and ask yourself a few questions- What will I wear this with? What attire is this? What season will I wear this item? Is it the right size? Is this flattering or not? Will I wear this often? Many of these questions are answered by going to the changing rooms.  

Summary- Don't need it, don't buy it. Simple. Always use the changing-rooms if provided.

4. Charity shops are a necessity when on a budget.

Shopping in charity shops can be rewarding and beneficial but It does take a certain amount of commitment this charity shopping lifestlye malarkey. You can’t just waltz in twice a year and hope to strike gold. I have developed a few tips that help me when charity shop shopping- 

Make sure you have a list- Having a list of specific items will keep your mind steady when bombarded with a room full of disorientated objects. Whether it be vintage tea-cups or cheap lace and embroidery, make sure that you have an idea of what you are looking for.

Imagine things out of context- On a crowded shelf of mawkish figurines, or a rail of sad-looking nylon Nan frocks, you must try to see each item as an individual. Picture the item in a vintage boutique or in the sales room of urban outfitters. Stand back, evaluate the item, ignore the tatty chunk surrounding it.


Think about location- Don't go to the mainstream area. Contrary to what you've read, posh areas often have the worst charity shops. This is because so many people have written about how great charity shops are in, say, Chelsea, that these places have, sensibly, wised up, and now charge proper, vintage-boutique prices. Make sure the location is of a decent, middle-class town but not to the extreme mainstream side. Keep in mind that the posher the town, the more expensive the items.

5. Online shopping- VOUCHERS AND CODES. 

Online shopping is great as it allows me to keep track of what I am buying and calculate the check out so I am aware of my spending. Here are some tips to follow when online shopping- 


-Always search the voucher codes that may apply to the shop. For example, if I where shopping in Topshop, I would search- "Topshop vouchers and codes". Evidently, there are many websites promoting vouchers and codes for a monumental amount of online stores. 


-I advise you sign up to your favourite fashion websites. By signing up to shops' websites, you can receive frequent special-offer discount emails. This vary to a discount on the delivery to a percentage off if you spend a specific amount of money.

- Compare prices! Knowing that you can surf through a variety of stores at once, you will appreciate the ability to compare prices of the same or similar products that are of interest to you. This will make you conscientious of where to acquire those family garments that are cheaper in cost but of the same high quality. Once you get used to shopping online, you will always know where to head for great deals and low prices.