4 Ways to Save Money on Clothes

Strolling through your local shopping mall, it may seem that staying on-trend can cost a pretty penny. While freshening up your wardrobe can be both a necessity and a treat, it doesn’t have to break the bank. Curious? Read on to see four of our favorite ways to save on apparel.

Thrifting: 21^st Century Style

One of the most obvious answers to saving money on clothes is thrifting. But once you’ve scoured all the racks at your local secondhand store and the garage sales have packed up for the season, where can you turn? Luckily, with an abundance of online resources, you still have options.

Sites like eBay, thredUP, Twice and many others are goldmines for gently worn, high-quality clothing. You can filter by brand, size, style, color, price range – anything! You could even search for the exact shirt you passed up at the store last week. It’s a great way to find nice clothing at a fraction of the cost.

Sales + Coupons = More Savings

Sales are tricky things – designed to make us buy under the guise that we’re getting a good deal. This means we have to be careful when we’re scouting for savings to ensure we’re truly getting a fair price. One of the best ways to secure the best value on an item is to employ a grocery savings tip – combining sales with coupons.

Whether you’re shopping online or in-store, there’s almost always a coupon out there for a certain percentage off your order. When you use this in conjunction with a sale, you’ve got the perfect recipe for savings. When buying online, RetailMeNot is an excellent source of coupon codes, so always be sure to check before you skip the promo code box at checkout. Some brands even put codes on their social media pages or partner websites, so it’s helpful to click around a few different places before finalizing your order.

So, you’ve found something you’d like to buy, but you don’t want to keep checking for a sale on the reg – what should you do? Some retailers have built-in price tracking tools, but sites like Rack it Up will also do the grunt work for you. They’ll shoot you an email when your item is on sale, so it’s easier than ever to save on your wish list.

Spend More

When you’re trying to save money on clothes, spending more may sound like quite the contradiction. But, when you pay a little more initially for a high quality item, you’ll spend less in long-term replacements and repairs. Certain pieces, like jeans, tees and outerwear, are timeless basics that will always have a place in your wardrobe. A small price tag may make it tempting to purchase from a low-end retailer, but spending a little extra for a well-crafted item will truly pay off over time.

Capsule Wardrobe

Ever heard of a capsule wardrobe? It’s essentially a mix-and-match set of clothing that’s interchangeable to create a wide variety of outfits and looks. Capsule wardrobes are focused around a few main coordinating colors, which are often predominately neutral.

Building a capsule wardrobe can be an effective way to trim clothing expenses and reduce impulse buys. While it can have expensive startup costs, depending on what’s already in your closet, it’s another venture that may just pay for itself as you move forward. Get inspiration for your own capsule wardrobe here.

Nine Ways to Boost the Value of Your Home on a Budget

Whether you’re sprucing up your home to sell in the competitive summer real estate market, investing your tax return in some overdue repairs, or just giving your space a fresh new look, keeping costs reasonable may feel like an impossible feat. Luckily, you can still make a big impact by investing in a few simple upgrades that’ll keep your bank account at a comfortable level. Read on for nine inexpensive ways to boost the value of your home.

Curb Appeal

Impressions begin with the first look, so it’s important that your home looks fresh and well kept from the outside. Keep the lawn tidy and make sure all trees and shrubs are trimmed. If the exterior of your home is looking a little grimy, an afternoon with a pressure washer can really make it shine. If the paint itself is a little tired, a fresh coat can truly brighten up the whole block.

Charming Entry

Once guests or prospective buyers have decided they’re impressed with the exterior of your home, it’s time to ensure they feel the same about the inside. Make sure your front door has a nice set of hardware and a good coat of paint or stain. Take some time to give the entry a deep clean so the space looks fresh and inviting.

Break Out the Paint

When you’re in need of a quick change, a fresh coat of paint can certainly get the job done. Whether it’s an all-over color or just an accent wall, painting can totally transform a room.

Hit the Lights

Poor lighting can make your space look tired and unwelcoming. Simply opening the blinds can brighten up your home, but updating old fixtures and dim bulbs can make a lasting difference. New lighting isn’t costly, and a brighter bulb can bring definition to a room that’s lacking.

Keeping Up with the Kitchen

Often, the room in need of the most updating is the kitchen. Total transformations can cost thousands, but a few smaller updates can still have a big impact at a fraction of the cost. Painting older cabinets a modern color and installing new fixtures are just two easy ways to update on a dime. Adding a backsplash and coordinating your appliance colors can totally tie the whole room together.

A Better Bathroom

In addition to the kitchen, bathrooms are typically quite easy to update on a small budget. A few new fixtures can totally transform a dated restroom – even just a new towel rack and mirror can give a tired room new life. For an even greater “wow” factor, upgrade the sink to a more modern style and give old tile a makeover. Make your existing shower feel like a luxury spa with a rain-style showerhead – there are many affordable models that are easy to install on your own.

Cut the Clutter

Don’t have the cash to do lots of updating? Take a look around your home and think about what items you could do without. A cluttered home can make you, your guests and prospective buyers feel overwhelmed. Get rid of unused, unwanted items for an easy (and free!) way to clean up your humble abode.

Fix it Up

Leaky faucet? Burnt out bulb? Small fixes are easy to put off, but taking a day to knock them out will be a major relief. Make a list of DIY updates and finally check off those honey-do’s.

Energy Efficiency

Energy-efficient upgrades aren’t just trendy – they can do wonders for your utility bills and make a home that much more appealing to buyers. For a quick, inexpensive update, start by swapping incandescent light bulbs for LED or CFL bulbs. Plug up any heating and cooling leaks around windows, doors or other drafty areas. If you’ve got extra cash in your budget, upgrading to energy-efficient appliances can offer a lifetime of savings on bills.