Help Me I'm Poor.

I am pooooor. I work for a non-profit organization that doesn't pay much and my husband works for a movie theater. Yeah. But I manage just fine. I do have a weakness for buying clothes though. However, I do not spend money that I do not have. Debt is awful and I never want to end up there! "But Mika, you buy lots of clothes and shoes! I thought you said you were poor!" Yes, I am poor. Yes, I buy lots of clothes. Let me tell you a secret: I hardly ever buy things full price. Thrift stores and clearance are my most favorite places to be. Let's throw some tips your way to look awesome for a fraction of the price. 

1. If you can alter it easily, do it.

I buy lots of skirts that are from like the 80's that are a super awkward length and possibly an awkward floral print. And I absolutely love them! I chop off a good portion of the bottom and hem it and viola! It is a brand new, awesomely printed, just-above-the-knee length skirt. If the print is awful and the fit is amazing, buy it and dye it. Dye is a great way to help a bad print/color out. Find skirts/dresses at thrift shops that have sweet prints or that fit amazing and alter it.  

2. Clearance is your new best friend.

This is my store hunt ritual. I look around the store at the new, high priced items and gather ideas for revamping older styles or new outfits. I then head to the sale part of the store and see if there is anything there worth picking up. If there is and I absolutely have to have it, I will get it. If I am not really in love but I really like it, then I will wait and see if destiny puts it in my path later on in clearance. Then I make my way over to clearance. Browse, love/hate everything and try on. If it fits nice and gives me good shape, in the cart it goes!

3. Be picky.

 Being picky makes my wallet so happy. I will walk in a store, pick up 15 different things and leave with 0-3 purchased items. If I don't absolutely love it, I won't get it. It has to give me a good shape, be versatile, and be a good price. Ah and personally, if I can't throw it in the washing machine after a long day at work, its a no go. If any of those requirements are not achieved, I leave it on the shelf. 

4. Have limits.

 I have a strict price range for each clothing item. Very rarely do I go over the predetermined amount. I am not sure if I came up with these because I'm cheap, or if I actually have a point. Either way, this system works for me and everyone needs to find one they can manage. The following prices are amounts that I can not exceed for the corresponding items.

Shirts: $5-$10

Jeans: $25

Skirts:$10 (I like the $5-$7 range though)

Underwear: $1-$2 (Rue 21 has great deals on panties)

Tanks: $5

Bras: $50 (Unfortunately, I have a stupid bra size so mine don't come cheap)

Socks: $10 for a pack of 7-10
Heels: $30 ish MAX

Boots: $40

Jackets: $30-$40

Jewelry: $5

Nail Polish: $2

Makeup: $10

And usually I don't even come close to those amounts but like I said, they are a general guideline. Occasionally, I will find something that is higher than my limit. When that happens, I hold it for a while around the store and if I can't put it back/will think about it all the way home, I get it. Now mind you, I don't get all these things all the time. I will just buy a shirt here and a pair of shoes there. Or I will wait a year or two, save, and just go crazy and get everything all at once.

 5. Ask for a cheaper price.

Sometimes items will have a rip or a stain on it that can easily be fixed. Talk to an employee and see if you can get a small discount. Usually its about 10% - 15% which isn't a ton, but every little bit helps. If the stain has no chance of coming out or if the tear/hole would look terrible even after being fixed, do not get it! Wait for something else to come along.

6. Coupon it up.

I don't coupon but I do know a lot of people who do. Subscribe to store emails or catalogs and save those coupons! They really do add up. I often go to a shoe store in University Mall in Orem, Utah called Forever Young Shoes. They have punch cards! For every 8 pairs you buy, you get one free. I once got seven pairs of shoes for less than $100 once. That was a combo of regular priced, clearance, sales and free punch card shoes. Their shoes are cheap but have good quality too. Its great.

7. Splurge vs Save.

 I do recommend buying cheap unless a few situations arise. One, if you love it and will cry on the way home, get it. You only live once so make the most of it. Two, if it is something you will wear all the time, you will get your money's worth and need it to be a touch more durable which may cause it to be a little more. Really contemplate if you will wear it constantly so you don't spend more than you have to! Three, classic pieces (like blazers or a white button up or a great pencil skirt) need more quality and need to be classic, not trendy. Invest in these pieces because if you pick the right pieces, you will have them forever. Work shoes are also a good example of this. If you are standing all day, every day, make sure you are comfortable and you can wear them all the time!

8. Analyze and Prioritize.

Every once in a while, analyze your closet. If you have 20 stretchy v necks, you probably should buy anymore! Seven different teal shirts? No. Mas. Figure out what is missing in your closet and search for those things. Good things to consider are shape, color, fabric and style. Have a lot of flowy skirts? Opt for a form fitting one. Have a multitude of slouchy sweaters? Get some structured jackets. Closet over flowing w 4 inch black pumps? Quite frankly, you can never have enough of those. But do get some other shoes like the bright pink wedges or a glitter peep toe.

9. Swap.

 My neighbors like to give my family clothes that they don't want anymore. Some of the stuff has the tags still on it! Its awesome! With five girls in the house (living close by,) we love it. Its like Christmas happens every couple of months. But with that many girls, there is bound to be some trading and bartering. My one sister Ayumi and I borrow each others clothes all the time. And everything that I don't want anymore, I give to Kiyomi and Mariko. Plus, I rummage through my mom's closet for any 'vintage' accessories that I might find. ;)

10. Sell your old, unloved stuff. 

This advice combines the Analyze and Swap parts of the tips. Go through your closet and pick out the pieces you don't wear anymore due to it not fitting or you just don't wear it as often as you thought. You can sell it on Ebay or Craigslist. Our town has a blog shop group on Facebook that we can sell and buy stuff on for great prices. I got a free washer and dryer from there and a ton of other cool stuff for super cheap. Garage sales are also great! Get some friends together and have everyone bring stuff they don't want anymore. Have a party! My friends give me free shoes all the time because they know I love them and would wear them or make them over. There are so many options! 

And if you can't find anything to do with those old clothes, donate them! One persons trash is another's treasure. And those of you who dis on thrift stores or wearing second hand clothes, poo on you! Just kidding. But seriously you are missing out big time. Just give it a try! I promise it is worth it. And one last tip: dig through those bins/racks at thrift stores. The best things are always hidden between awful things that no one should own.

Love, Mika