How To Shop The Sales on a Budget

Is your wardrobe looking a little tired? Perhaps your coat is on its last legs or your jeans used to be blue and now they’re mimicking a “washed too many times” fade.

You know it’s time to inject a few new things in your wardrobe but you’re on a budget.

Well, when June rolls around, so do the mid-year sales and there really is no better time to shop – on a budget of course.

I’ve already been out and about at the sales (I’m an early bird) and am delighted to say, it’s certainly bargain city out there!

Now when I say bargain (apologies to my regular readers who already know this), I must reiterate that a bargain is not a bargain if you don’t need it!

Stores are very clever at making us think we need something when we usually don’t. From strategically placed sales tables and racks with “shiny objects” to the red sale signs.

According to Shopify, professor Andrew Elliot found that “people react faster and more forcefully when they see the colour red”. It’s an exciting hue that could explain why so many shoppers get caught up in the sales and find themselves making “impulse” purchases instead of buying things they actually want or need.

If you do find yourself in this situation, let me set the scene:

First you’re happily swinging your bags all the way home. You plonk them on the kitchen counter. You might slowly unwrap a few out of the tissue paper and you start to feel a little icky. Enter deep guilt phase.

For others, it doesn’t happen until months later. Either when the credit card bill comes or you’re filtering through your wardrobe and find items with tags still attached.

Not a good feeling.

So, lets do a little wardrobe research (of your own) before you hit the shops to avoid these scenarios. Here are three questions to consider:

1. What’s looking tired and needs replacing? Write it down.
2. Is there an item you feel you need to work into an existing outfit? I.e. a new pair of jeans to team with several tops or a cover-up piece like a blazer or long cardigan.
3. Being June – will you get the wear out of it?

Upon answering these questions, you should feel be more prepped to shop. So what to buy?

Well, the sales are usually selling last season or overstock of current season. On-trend pieces will have the best reductions but can be hard to wear for the long term. Before you buy “last season”, make sure you’ll wear it in the next couple of months.

The other shopping tactic is to search for more classic fashion items – clothes and accessories that won’t date so quickly.

The sales are also a great time to invest in quality pieces.  Perhaps the high price of a leather jacket has been out of your reach for some time but apply a 50% off tag and you just might be able to take it home.

Now of course, there are a few don’ts to also avoid post sale guilt.

1. Don’t buy something that doesn’t fit you unless you can adjust/hem it yourself or you know someone that can – soon. I see too many people buy items for “when I lose weight” (wait until you do) or who plan to get them adjusted and just don’t.
2. If you have a little time, do some price comparisons. This can be easily done online or in-store. Most stores genuinely mark down their items but it’s always good to know you’re buying true to price or lower.
3. Reiterating my earlier point. If you don’t need it, it’s not a bargain; it’s just an additional expense.
4. If you do think a reduced item is just too good to pass up, think about if you can buy it as a gift for family or friend.
5. If you can, wait a few weeks and there might be an extra discount on top of the discount.

Oh, and my number one shopping rule that is relevant in all forms of shopping: love what you buy.

That’s right – love.

Now it’s off to the shops!

Lacey and I have handpicked some reduced items we’ve found across various stores. We’re hoping we’ve catered for a few tastes and you might find something you like.

Okay, sorry, I do have one more tip. (You know you love them!) Remember that some sizes move quicker than others and sometimes you can be lucky. For example, shoes are one of the fastest moving accessories during the sales and the popular sizes can be hard to come by if you wait too long.

Have you secured a a bargain this season? I would love to hear all about your sale purchases in the comments below.

Happy Shopping minus the budget blowout!