Adventures of a Wayfarer

As I have mentioned in the past, I am a graduate student. I recently held a phone interview for life insurance where the woman asked me what my net worth was minus debt. My response “umm zero? or do you allow for negative numbers?” When she proceeded to ask my annual income, she stopped mid sentence and said “so zero?” Yup. I have no income. If you count the few times I babysit as income, then ok I am able to buy a chai tea at Starbucks once or twice a week.

That being said, I have a love of fashion and style. I enjoy being a girl, dressing up in my own personal style and rocking a look. I don’t own big name things like Guicci, Dolce, or Louis. I do however have a well-put wardrobe with staple pieces that are versatile. How do I get staple pieces without breaking the bank? Easy, I know how to shop and I try to follow 3 simple rules.

First and foremost, when I decide to go clothes shopping (which doesn’t actually happen that often), I base where I am going on what store is having a deal and if I have a coupon. Yes I said it, a coupon. Those little pieces of paper that come in the mail, I love them. I also appreciate that brands allow you to sign up for the email lists and they alert you when a sale is going on. When they ask you at the register for your email address, I notice some folks huffing and puffing about it, but I embrace it. I know that they’re giving me the heads up for sales and deals, so if I shop at the store a decent amount, I’ll get the hook up on the list-serv.

Now let me put this straight, I don’t shop 15% off or 25% off sales. I hit up the big ones. 40-60% off sales are my jam. I am a preppy-hipster girl. I live in GAP and J.Crew. When I was 21, I got my first credit card (and my only credit card to this day). I was at GAP looking for professional attire during a 40% off sale. I ended up signing up for their credit card and received and extra 15% off on top of that. Thrift Rule #1: Always look for the deals.

Being a “GAP card member” I get random perks, like 10$ rewards and certain percentages off. I don’t really use the percentages but I always combine my rewards dollars. I also only shop when there is a sale, but I usually don’t shop the regular merchandise. As many of my friends will tell you, when they ask where I got an article of clothes from my response is usually “GAP clearance” or “DSW clearance” or “J.Crew Factory clearance.” This is my Rule #2: The clearance rake.

When I walk into a store, I skim through the regular merchandise as I head straight to the clearance section. It might sound cheap, and you are right. I am frugal with my money. Besides, clearance is always the best place to find those random items that somehow become your favorite piece. Recently, I snagged a $128.00 wool jacket for *drumroll please* $7.98. Yes, you read that correctly: eight dollars. That’s a 120$ savings. That’s how I shop. How did I manage this find? I shopped the clearance while it was an additional 30% off and I had $20 in rewards.

I LOVE shoes, scratch that I am OBSESSED with shoes. I can’t walk in heels, so I tend to dabble in oxfords and flats. I have large feet ( super skinny size 10), so more often than not, it’s hard to find shoes that fit me normally. When I walk into DSW, I automatically go to the clearance section. Did you know that sometimes they will have a regular priced item on the sales floor and have one of a few sizes of the same shoe in the clearance section? Yup it’s true, so when looking at the shoes, also check the clearance in your size to make sure there isn’t one there marked down. DSW also has some pretty legit markdowns up to 70% off. I recently scored $40 oxfords for $10, and I will wear them until there have holes in the bottoms.

Rule #3: Functionality. Buy items that are functional in your life. It’s fun to splurge on that random piece that you have no idea when you’ll wear it, but really is that the best way to spend a tight budget? So think about the functional use of the item. Will it sit in your closet for months collecting dust or will you actually wear it till you can’t wear it anymore?

My friends always ask how I manage to score such savings, honestly, I don’t really think it’s some scientific method. My secret: just be smart and frugal. Shop when there are sales and discounts. Sometimes there are better sales during the year than on black Friday. Check online or get an app for your phone (like Geoqpon), that allow you to pull up different store coupons on your smartphone and scan it at the register. Sometimes prices differ between store and online, so do your homework if you are looking for a specific item.

From time to time I’ll make a pitstop at TjMaxx and Marshall’s, however I usually find more home goods type of things at these stores.

Here I am featured in one of Marshall’s Instagram #fabfound Facebook Cover Ads in Aug 2013 front and center rocking a pair of flats I snagged off clearance for $10

So when looking to buy better named brands coupons, clearance racks and functionality are key in being a thrifty shopper. The items are just as nice when they are full price as when they are marked down. You just have to be smart and don’t by an item unless you know you are going to wear it more than a few times.

If you missed my last installment: Flea Markets

Coming soon: Goodwill/Salvation Army.

Stay Thrifty!