Saving money does not have to mean that you compromise on your quality of living and your style. Here are several clever hacks that any family can make use of to ensure their style quotient stays high while minimal damage is done to the bank account.
1. Look at what you own
The next time you plan on going shopping, stop and take a look at the clothes you already have in your closet. Sometimes, due to the sheer number of clothes piling up in our homes, we don’t realize how much we already own, while simultaneously constantly adding to a growing collection of clothing. To stop this wasteful habit, first look at everything that you own and find items which you have not worn for over six months. All of these should be donated.
Secondly, if you have clothes which still have the tags on them because you never wore them, try them on, if they don’t fit or if you don’t like them, return it to the store, or donate them. Make a pile of clothing you don’t need or ever wear. You may be surprised at how much you can get rid of by simply being honest with yourself. The next time you go shopping, you will buy less wasteful clothing, and will know exactly what you actually need.
2. Stop following trends
With every season, fashion trends come and go. Trends change every few months or even every few weeks so if your aim is to constantly chase trends, your bank account will certainly suffer. Instead, take a minute and evaluate your personal style. What type of clothes do you most often wear? Once you understand your body type and personal style, buying new clothes will become less of a trial and error activity. If you have clothes which you bought because of a trend but eventually never wore, try selling them online. Who knows, your barely-worn rejects might bring someone else joy.
3. Be selective
One of the best ways to waste money is to give into ‘fast fashion’. Instead of buying ten inexpensive tops that don’t fit well at all, invest in two really well-fitting ones. Classic investment pieces last far longer than ill-fitting, cheap clothes. Another great way to be fashionable without breaking the bank is to buy fewer things, especially those items which are interchangeable and which can be worn repeatedly, in different combinations.
4. Style on a budget
This is an especially important step if you have small children. Keep aside a certain amount each month for spending on clothing and accessories. Since children grow out of their clothing every few months, it’s important to have a limit on how much you spend in this area on a monthly basis. Come up with a realistic spending budget that you can live with as a family.
5. Shop online carefully
While online shopping may seem like the best way to indulge in some retail therapy due to the sheer convenience of sitting at home, you must keep in mind the extra costs involved such as shipping. Also keep in mind that the sizing system for every clothing brand is slightly different, so you may end up returning items and having to pay for the return shipping as well. With a bit of careful attention to such aspects, shopping online can be a pleasure. When buying beauty products online, sometimes if you buy a full sized product you can get several cosmetic freebies thrown in with the purchase as a promotional offer. Keep an eye out for these types of deals.
6. Splurge vs Save
When it comes to shopping, not just for clothes but for anything your family may need, it is important to know when to splurge and when to save. If you need a basic white tee shirt, go to a low-to-medium priced store, but if you want a beautiful winter coat that will last several years, invest in a great piece. Knowing how to mix and match expensive and frugal possessions beautifully is what makes a home and a person’s closet stylish. Style is something that is constantly evolving so don’t feel pressured to buy everything at once.
When it comes to finding decorative items for the home, go to yard sales, thrift stores and of course, antique shops. You never know what treasures may be found in your local charity shop, especially those that stock vintage pieces such as cups and other glassware. Another great way to save money when decorating your home is to have your children create an art piece and frame it. Priceless and meaningful.
7. See the bigger picture
To really live a stylish life, it is important to realize that there are other parts of your daily life other than fashion and clothing which help you live stylishly. Stop competing with everyone, whether it’s your high school peers, your colleagues or your neighbors. True happiness comes from being grateful for what you already have. Owning material possessions doesn’t necessarily make one stylish.
8. Free cultural events
If you want to enrich your family’s life with cultural events then there are other options that don’t involve an expensive trip to the opera. Many museums offer free exhibitions and there are several outdoor concerts, music festivals and even movie screenings that don’t charge. If reading is your favorite hobby then instead of buying expensive books to read just once, join your local library which will most likely be free. Being stylish is about enriching your mind with cultural activities.
9. Cook fancy meals at home
Not only will you save a lot of money by reducing the number of times you eat at expensive restaurants every month, but you can get your children involved for a fun family activity.
When you live with a restrictive income, it is important to use all the creativity you can muster to live a stylish life. These hacks will help you and your family live the most fabulous life possible while saving money.