Bargain Shopping: Because Trying to Be Beyonce Without Beyonce Money is Stressful

Everyone is always talking about bargain shopping. We see slogans everywhere: Dress for Less, Balling on a Budget, Bargainista, etc. Being a college student, my funds tend to be limited and priorities tend to… well, take priority. I’m in the process of rebuilding my wardrobe. Since I’m always on the hunt for clothes, shoes, etc., I’ve learned a few things about where and how to use my coins.

1. BARGAIN does not mean buy CHEAP.

I LOVE fashion, but I literally HATE spending money. It is important to know what to spend your money on. In previous years, I would see a sale sign and just buy whatever was on the rack… WRONG. You have to know the difference between a good sale and a cheap buy.

Whether I’m sorting through a rack or scrolling through an online store, I look at every detail of a garment, or accessory. Physically being in a store makes this much easier — but zooming in and reading reviews online helps a lot too. When I’m ordering online, I zoom ALL the way in on the photos of models in the clothing to see if light is shining through the material. When that happens, it’s usually a no go for me.

2. Online shopping is FULL OF SALES

I shop online way more than I do in stores. Online shopping is easier — things are more organized. In a store, I have to look through everything to find what I want. Online, I’m able to use filters to narrow down my search and that “Sort: Low to High” feature is the best thing since sliced bread (whatever that means lol). A lot of sites have student discounts, especially UK sites.

A few of my go-to sites are Pretty Little Thing, Missguided, Boohoo, etc. I also do a lot of shopping on Amazon. Yes, you can shop on amazon; just read the reviews. Zara also has good sales, and their pieces are better quality than running to Forever 21 (but don’t get. me wrong, I shop there too). When I need jeans, Levi’s is my go-to. Again, when your coins are running low, just sort low to high — they have sales all the time.

I also use Honey, a browser extension that has all the coupon codes for sites and, when you get to your cart, it applies the best one. It saves so much time, not having to search for promo codes and hoping one works.

3. It’s Okay to SPLURGE

With all this budgeting talk, I’ve also had to teach myself that it’s okay to splurge on that one thing you’ve been wanting. Maybe you hold out on your purchases for the next few pay periods and buy that one thing you’ve been craving that may cost a bit more than purchases you make when you’re on a budget. When you splurge on yourself, you feel better. When that splurge doesn’t take away from the coins you have for necessities, you live better (lol).

 

There’s a lot you can do, even when you’re on a budget. I’ve learned to start using my money smarter, not just harder. It’s okay to not spend a stack of money to look good — we all gotta start somewhere and, I don’t know about you, but I’m no Beyonce … yet (lol).

 

Outfit Deets (Head to Toe):

Jacket: Forever21 – similar HERE

T-Shirt: Macys – similar HERE

Jeans: Levi’s – similar HERE

Shoes: Boohoo – similar HERE

 

What are some of the tricks you use to save money? Comment and let me know!

Stay beautiful.

XO,

Sydney