Most Helpful Hints: Saving Money on Clothing

• Try it on first. Never buy anything you haven't tried on first. If it doesn't make you look terrific, don't buy it.

  Lots of stuff looks great on a hanger, or on a mannequin. But if it doesn't make you look great, it's a waste of money. If you don't love how it makes you look, you won't wear it often (if at all!). If you don't wear something regularly, you've wasted your money.

  If it doesn't fit, don't buy it. Don't lie to yourself by saying that you'll lose those ten pounds (or five kilos). If it doesn't make you look fantastic RIGHT NOW, it's a waste of money. (Note: the exception to this is clothing that's too big, if (and only if) you can sew, or are willing to pay for alternations. You can't alter something that's too small for you, because modern clothing has no seam allowances to speak of. It just can't be done.)

  The "try it on first" guideline is especially true for shoes. SHOES MUST BE COMFORTABLE. Don't believe a salesclerk if they say something like: "Well, of course they'll stretch." It's not true. Instead, the shoes will mangle your feet. If they aren't perfectly comfortable as soon as you try them on, don't buy them. Also, try on BOTH shoes (your two feet usually aren't exactly the same). Also, walk around in them for a minute. Only buy them if both feet feel comfortable in the shoes while you are walking in them.

  Note: this guideline also applies to clothing you buy on-line or mail order, except that you must try it on as soon as you get it. If it doesn't fit right away, send it back. Immediately. The cost of return postage is always a lot less than the cost of keeping something you won't wear.

• Don't buy on sale. Yes, you heard me right. If you buy something just because it's on sale, you're likely to get something that you don't really like merely because it's cheap. It's better to buy something you LOVE, at full price, because you'll wear it again and again. Even if something is an unbelievable bargain, it doesn't save you money if it spends almost all of its time hanging in the closet. It should LIVE on your back (or butt, or foot, or wherever).

• Don't buy at a second-hand store or used clothing store. The reason for this is the same as for not buying on sale. If you buy something just because it's on cheap, you're likely to get something that you don't really like merely because it IS cheap. Even if something is an unbelievable bargain, it doesn't save you money if it spends almost all of its time hanging in the closet.

  The only exception to this rule is if you're buying for babies or toddlers. They grow so fast that there is no point in buying anything new for them. Once they get old enough to have their own tastes and preferences, take them to the second-hand store with you, and let them pick it out themselves. If they like it, they'll wear it. Doesn't matter if YOU like it. Your child will get more use out of something he or she enjoys wearing.

• Keep all receipts. If you buy something, and a week later you can't understand why you bought it, return it. Of course, you can't return it if you don't have the receipt.

  Figure out a place to keep your receipts. It can be something simple like a fruit bowl on top of the fridge. Make a habit of putting all your receipts in that spot as soon as you get home. You can empty it out once a month if it turns out you don't need it.

Disclaimer: while these hints are the result of years of experience and/or lots of research, in the end they are just my personal opinion. If you try something I suggest and it doesn't work, please don't sue me &mdash I guarantee nothing. Best of luck!

Page created and maintained by A. Steinbergs

Last modified: September 22, 2008