Rules to Shop By

Based on what you've seen here, it might seem like I spend 9 zillion dollars on clothes and go shopping every other day. While I DO go shopping a lot (granted, most of it has been buying beads lately), I sure don't over-pay for my clothes.

When I was fresh out of college and had no money, I developed three rules to save myself cash while also getting what I needed.

1. Wait for a sale.
2. Get it secondhand.
3. Buy an investment piece.

Rule #1 - Wait for a sale.  Right after college when I was in that really poor phase, I worked at Macy's, and it was actually having that job that made me realize just how often sales happen. And those sales cycled, so if you missed it the first time, you could try again in a couple of weeks.

I started paying attention to what other stores were doing, and sure enough, they were marking things down on a regular basis, too. So as long as you plan ahead a little and don't need to get something last-minute, there's no reason for you to ever pay full-price at the mall. Even if your size or color isn't in stock, 99% of chain stores have websites, so try on what's there and then place your order online.

Where I shop: Banana Republic, Target, Forever 21, Loft

Rule #2 - Get it secondhand. I have no qualms about wearing somebody else's clothing, and it's a good thing because I've gotten some really adorable stuff at thrift stores over the years. It takes a bit of digging and you should carefully inspect everything before you buy, but the savings are huge.

It helps if you start your shopping trip with a general list of what you need, as opposed to ultra-specific items. For example, right now I'm in the market for casual spring/summer dresses. That's it. I'm not worried about color, brand, or sleeve style, because ruling out too many items right away can cause you to miss a good find.

Where I shop: Plato's Closet, Clothes Mentor (both are local)

Rule #3 - Buy an investment piece. There are items in my closet that I wear ALL the time, like my boots. So far I've essentially worn the same three pairs all winter and show no signs of stopping. Of those, two pairs were cheap and one was what I consider an investment ($99). Can you guess which ones I won't have to replace next year?

If there's an item that will get a lot of use and that you plan to keep for several years, then you might want to consider spending a little more. It might freak you out at first, but remember that buying cheap replacements over and over isn't saving you money. And don't forget that pricier items go on sale, too! That will make it even easier.

Where I shop: Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack, Ann Taylor, J. Crew Outlet

So those are the rules that have helped me. Do you have any of your own? Where are your favorite places to shop? Anybody else a fan of the investment piece? I know some people flat-out refuse that one.