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?