Looking to upgrade your style or add new décor to your home this year? Stay under budget by following these tips.
Find your essential pieces. Great deals are available throughout the city, but the key to frugality is to find essential items and eliminate the rest. Simplify and declutter, so you always have a sense of what's in your wardrobe. It's a hassle, yes, but I find that I spend less after these purges. When you do shop, look for items that will always be in style. Ask yourself, "Will I still use or want this a year from now?” If not, let it go.
Stick to a budget. A budget doesn't have to be more than a simple monthly shopping list. Set a budget, and then list the new items you plan to purchase that month. You'll spend money more wisely and intentionally, and be better equipped to afford big-ticket items in the future.
Visit resale shops.
- Revive Thrift Shop: This boutique-style store opened in 2014 and offers women's and men’s apparel as well as furniture, home goods, jewelry, and more. Revive helps raise funds for Mission: St. Louis, a nonprofit that provides job training and hosts educational programs in the area. 2202 S. Vandeventer.
- May’s Place: May's is a tiny corner shop, but don't let that fool you. It's filled with vintage, fashion-forward clothes, housewares, and more from the '60s and '70s. Check out their pop-up shop in February to find a collection of items from the '50s and earlier. 3249 Ivanhoe.
- Perennial's Community Clothing Swap: Several times a year, the environmentally-conscious nonprofit Perennial STL holds clothing swaps. If you bring in your own bag of unwanted clothes to donate, $10 gets you in the door. If you come empty-handed, it costs $15. Inside, several rooms are set up like department stores, stocked with all the participants' items. Take home as many items as you can carry for no additional charge. Don’t miss the upcoming clothing swap event this month, January 29, from 1–3 p.m. Register online or pay at the door. 3762 S. Broadway.
Diana Hernandez is a St. Louis blogger for millennial women who encourages a happier lifestyle through self care. Her expertise ranges from style and wellness to travel. For more inspiration, visit mothersoulshares.com or follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
