Crown of Beauty Magazine The Royalty Issue | Page 48

Shopping! (Without the

Royal Bill)

As a teenage girl, I do love shopping. Yet, your parents won't be around forever to fund your mall trips, so I put together tips and tricks on how to shop without getting that royal bill!

Let's take the Proverbs 31 woman for example. She is very smart with spending, saving, and giving away her money! As young ladies, we will want to handle our money as a Proverbs 31 woman, so why not start now?

1) I suggest taking a loyal friend with you! It can be much easier to decide what to buy and what not to buy when you have a second opinion on the item.

Of course you won’t only bring them along for their opinion, but also to keep yourself safe, and plus, what’s the fun in shopping alone anyway? The only downside to having another person with you on your mall journey is time. Of course you can’t stay at the mall overnight, and you need to be home by a certain time! So be careful on how much time both of you spend in each store.

2) Setting yourself a budget can do wonders, especially when you’re a teen. Sticking to your budget can be hard. Who can turn away from an adorable pink top that’s only five dollars above your budget?

You sure can, because you’re smart with how to handle money, no matter how adorable an item is! Bring an amount of money that makes you feel comfortable, or a debit card your parents approved of if you’re not so great with cash!

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You sure can, because you’re smart with how to handle money, no matter how adorable an item is! Bring an amount of money that makes you feel comfortable, or a debit card your parents approved of if you’re not so great with cash!

3) Making a list of items that you want or need might make you look like a senior citizen who can’t remember what to buy at the grocery store, but it’s totally worth it. It’s something I do personally! If a holiday is coming up, grab products that match that holiday (for example Valentines day! pink and red!) Making a list will prevent you from overspending and wasting time. Okay, besides being distracted from that cute dress in the store window, you’ll be smart enough to tell yourself, "Maybe next time!"

4) Before you hit the stores, go online to the store's site and write down the products that you intend on buying.

5) Looking on Sale or Clearance racks won’t kill you either; it actually helps with your budget! You never know what cute top can be hanging in there, hiding behind all the weird tops and jeans. Ask a store employee if there is a sale going on! Buy 2 pairs of earrings and get your third pair free; something along those lines! (Buy one, get one free is the best!)

6) If you’re of the age to work (16 is the typical age) then try to apply to a store that you love! If you’re hired you are able to get all different kinds of employee discounts!

7) If your mall is similar to mine then it is such a drag! Sure, my mall has all the popular stores which most girls shop at, yet in all they barely have items in stock! That is where my royal beauty, online shopping, comes in handy. You can even find products that are only sold online, which is totally awesome because it can make you feel exclusive! Also, if you sign up for certain online store newsletters, they can email you online discounts and coupons! (Yes I said it, coupons. They do come in handy).

This is it! You’re on your own now, darlings. I expect you to be smart about your shopping. Keep in mind the Proverbs 31 woman. Sure, she would love to have that cardigan in her closet, but it does not fit her budget, so she shall walk away and find a better item. We’re growing princesses turning into Queens, and we can’t always rely on our parents or family members for money. It’s time to be smart, be strong, and be thoughtful as we shop for the cutest products. And guess what? You will not end up with the royal bill.

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