If you’re on a tight budget, expanding your wardrobe and getting new clothes for the new season ahead can be challenging.
Look in Your Wardrobe
Pull everything out from the back of your wardrobe, your drawers, everything. See what you already have and if there are any pieces that you may have forgotten about. If you find anything in good condition that you don’t want or need try and sell them, this may let you raise your budget a little bit.
Set a Budget
When doing anything when cash is tight, you need to ensure that you set yourself a reasonable budget. Set yourself an allowance and don’t go over it. Try to get your shopping done in one trip, seasonally, rather than monthly, this way you won’t be as tempted to pick up unnecessary items.
Write a List
Just like food shopping, you should write a list of things you actually need, pick off these items first and then see how much of your budget you have left. If you don’t you may spend too much on things you don’t actually need.
Cash Only
Don’t use your card when you go shopping, this will encourage you to overspend as you might not even notice you’re doing it. Instead, take out the amount of your budget (if you don’t trust yourself with the money then make a few ATM trips) but keep on top of how much you are taking out. Having cash in hand will give you a better idea of how much you’re spending and help you budget better.
Start at the Back of the Shop
The back of the shop is where you will most likely find the sales, the front is where many companies put up really nice displays, but these can be expensive items. Starting at the back of the shop and moving forward will allow you to see the cheaper options before the expensive ones.
Choose Your Days Right
Instead of going shopping at the weekends when it’s busy, try going one evening during the week. Not only is this a quieter time to shop and be able to think about things before buying them, rather than rushing to get out of the busy shop. Sale items are also more likely to be stocked up during the week, so you may pick up some bargains.
Think About What Goes Together
If you are buying a new item of clothing, ask yourself, “does it go with at least 3-5 items that I have already” if the answer is no, put it back. It’s okay to pick up items like this when you have a bit more cash to spend, but when you’re on a budget you want to get the most out of the items that your buying as you can.
Shop at the End of the Season
If you have enough clothes to get you through this year’s summer already, then it can be an idea to avoid shopping through the season altogether and wait for the end of season sale. You are more likely to pick up a bargain and you will have plenty of new clothes in stock for next season (if you don’t mind wearing last season’s clothes.)