On the Coast – Families Issue 97 I December/January 2019 | Page 28

Sale shopping?
Our ‘Saving Secrets’
by Sam & Jordi Woods
N
othing feels better
when you shop
than to know you
have made a good
purchase and the
feeling is even better
when you know you
“bagged a bargain”!
The flip side of this –
nothing feels worse than
when we have to admit
we wasted money, got
caught up in the moment
and made a purchase that
really serves no purpose
in our wardrobe. The only
thing we can then feel proud of is that
we didn’t pay full price for our mistake!
Note: An expensive item is one we
never wear or get mileage from. A
bargain is an item that serves us well
even if we do pay full price!
Confidence is everything when we
shop...“You look fabulous in that!” means
nothing if you don’t feel fabulous, “It is
a bargain!” is useless if you don’t need
the item or the item doesn’t add value
to your wardrobe. Too many times we
are caught in the “but it is on sale!” trap
and end up just adding to the pile of
items in our wardrobe that haunt us
with the dreaded “full wardrobe and
STILL nothing to wear” syndrome.
Be prepared…organised…resourceful
and creative.
Below are our 4
Saving Secrets!
1
PREPARE
Make a “need list” of the items
you know require renewing in your
wardrobe and keep this list with you at
all times. For example tees, shoes, work
suits, exercise clothing etc.
Then make a “wish list” which consists
28
KIDZ O N T H E C OA S T
of the items you would like to have but
really can’t justify as a “need” purchase.
For example a new after five dress, new
jeans (when you already have some that
serve you), statement necklace, fashion
handbag or those killer heels that just
beg you to buy them!
2
ORGANISE
Now allocate $ to each list and
hit the shops! This process keeps you
accountable and on track eliminating or
at least minimising those “what was I
thinking” purchases.
3
RESOURCES
Being resourceful is something all
stylish women excel at. Quality over
quantity is always best. Therefore, sale
season is the perfect time to make those
investment purchases that normally may
not be viable to your budget.
4
CREATIVE
You can never go wrong with
timeless items, these can be brought
on trend in seasons to come by simply
adding the new fashion influence(s).
Whether pre or post Christmas
“bargain shopping” the same rules apply
when hunting for fashion bargains…
DO I NEED IT?
All too often we are caught in the trap of
buying things just because they are much
cheaper than normal. This can easily lead
to that “wardrobe full and nothing to
wear” situation - again!
A bargain is only a bargain if you can
say yes to all of the below bullet points:
ƒ ƒ Is it in a colour that flatters my skin
tone?
ƒ ƒ Does the shape/cut of the garment suit
my body shape?
ƒ ƒ Does the style of the item enhance the
image I like to portray?
ƒ ƒ Will the item go with at least 2 other
items in my wardrobe?