Don’t you want to make your shopping experience more meaningful as well as cost effective? Well in this fast pace, expensive life that we are living, you always want to make sure that you save as much as possible, and not waste all your money on things that you don’t need or aren’t ever going to wear. This week I want to give you a few tips that have also changed the way that I shop and I hope that they will make a huge difference in your life.

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Tip 1: Start with what is in your closet

Did you know that most people, like myself, wear less than half of what we currently own in our wardrobe? It’s crazy that we are willing to pay more for clothes that we are not going to wear than wear what we already have at home. So before you go shopping again, clear out what you know you haven’t worn in the last 6 months, because clearly you will not wear it again.

Tip 2: Shop with a mission

Now that you have cleared out the mess, you can begin to evaluate what you really need to buy. When you go shopping, don’t just rock up and start throwing the credit card around like you just won the lottery. Before you even leave the house, plan before hand on what you are going to buy. Look online for dates when the shops will be having promotional sales and also budget what you are going to spend. Remember the goal is to buy what you really need and also to save money.

Tip 3: Start with the basics

Now that you know what you are going to spend and where, we can begin shopping. Once you start shopping begin with the basics. I have talked about this in many of the blogs but let me explain for those who don’t follow the blog. When I say basics, I mean items that you can mix and match to create different styles like tees, black dress, jeans (blue and black) and many others. By buying basics and in neutral colours you can save a lot of money, because you can use those basics to create new outfits with your old clothes. Also remember to buy these basics in neutral colours, so try black, navy, grey and white. After you have the basics you can add one or two bold items just to spice up your look.

Tip 4: Find trends worth investing in

There are a lot of trends out there and new ones come up each season. If you have read the blogs 2015 Trends and Spring Trends, you will see that the fashion world is constantly evolving. So when you go shopping you don’t want to buy all these trends as it will cost you a lot of money. So why not invest in the trends that you think you can wear all year long and still look on point.

Tip 5: Be prepared to walk away

This tip is very important so take note of it. When you go shopping and start to browse but end up not finding what you are looking for, DO NOT SETTLE, simply walk away. Don’t end up spending because it’s the day you chose and you must buy something come what may. NO, if you can’t find what you want or it turns out to be expensive, be disciplined enough to just walk away.

Tip 6: Shop Alone

I know how we ladies like to take our friends with us shopping, well try as much as possible not to include them on your trip. The reason why we take our friends is that we want them to compliment us and encourage us to take things we would not otherwise buy. Which is not always a good thing especially when we are shopping on a budget. You will make all the best decisions if you are shopping alone because you will be more focused to buy what you came for. That doesn’t mean that a friend’s opinion for you is bad, but rather that it can hinder your whole shopping experience. How about if you ask for their opinion before you decide to go shopping, whilst you are still trying to decide on what works for you, instead of taking them with you shopping, if you really value their opinion a lot.

Tip 7: Accessories

Did you know that one simple accessory can transform an entire outfit? So learn to use them to work for you. A simple scarf can turn a plain t-shirt into a sophisticated semi-casual wear. A pair of earrings and a necklace can transform your dress from a day look to evening wear. So make use of the accessories section in the store and look for statement necklaces, bags and scarfs to transform your new look.

Tip 8: Invest in inner layers

Ladies and Gents, you need to invest in proper under garments as they can impact how the outer layers look. So ladies invest in various under garments that will not discredit your overall look on the outside. Avoid things that are too tight or too loose. When it comes to inner garments always try to get the perfect fit because it will look better. Gents, learn to invest in vests because they can make a huge difference when you wear dress shirts.

Tip 9: Familiarise yourself with your stores

You need to know which stores are known for what items and why. This will help you make even better decisions when it comes time to spend the money. You should know which store will give you the most out of your budget and which stores you need to save more for, for those special treats. Knowing where to shop and at what time during the month is the best thing you will ever do for yourself. It might sound like it will take too much effort but once you get the hang of it you will not be sorry. Also, you need to always remember that the best new items are the ones you see the moment you walk in the shop. So unless you want to spend a fortune, try and avoid these items and rather move to the back or centre of the store for cheaper items.

Lastly, shopping is meant to be fun, so enjoy yourself and if you know what you want then it will be even better. I hope you found these tips helpful and I hope to hear more from you by commenting below. #BeTrendi

Written by Phoebe Sibomana

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