Drop the Shop

I used to love shopping, it didn’t matter whether it was inside the store or window shopping, I loved the excitement of seeing nicely arranged, new and colorful things. Now I’ve learned that if I stay out of the stores—unless I need something, I’m less likely to decide that I must buy some “wonderful” thing. And then the something that goes with that thing…things I often didn’t even know existed until I saw them!

Sometimes however, shopping is useful in order to know who has what, so you’ll know where to look when a need arises. Okay, so I still enjoy shopping but more often than not, when I get home I appreciate what I already have all the more. The key is being disciplined and purposeful in your shopping, knowing what you truly need and can truly afford.

Respectable Discounts

If someone in your household is eligible for a senior discount, make the most of it. Though the qualifying age for senior discounts varies—and continually changes, many businesses and organizations offer them. Banks offer free checking, grocery stores—especially natural food stores, and thrift stores offer percentage discounts on certain days while restaurants often offer “early bird specials” for seniors in the late afternoon. If a policy isn’t posted, it doesn’t hurt to ask—if a business doesn’t offer a senior discount perhaps they will if enough people ask (sometimes one or two inquiries is all it takes for a new policy to be written—depending on the size of the business). Even the U.S. National Parks Service offers a special deal for those 62 and over and those in their car. http://www.us-parks.com/golden-age-passport.html

Clean Clothes Warm Heart

Know someone going through financial strain, who doesn’t have a washer and dryer? Invite them over from time to time to wash & dry a couple of loads in your machines. It could save them as much as $15 and it’s a great way to get to know each other better.

Thrift Shops

Thrift shops operated by organizations such as the Salvation Army and Goodwill can be a great place to find clothing at very low prices. Don’t let pride interfere, many of the clothes are in very good condition—some are even new with the tags still on and you’ll be helping out those who are possibly worse off than even you! Some thrift shops have better quality than others overall while the others have good things that just need to be discovered. Most price their items in the $3-$5 range with dresses, suits and coats somewhat higher. High-end shops such as those run by Junior League (a service organization for young women—called Junior League Wearhouse in our area) have very nice clothes but you will pay a very nice price for them. Still, if you have a daughter who is prom-bound, you can likely find a beautiful dress for her there (or even at one of the lesser priced thrift shops) since they’ve only been worn once--wedding dresses too. Just in case I need to say it, always wash it before you wear it. In addition, double-check all zippers, buttons, seams, etc. since they often don’t take returns. My husband once bought a beautiful shirt at a higher end shop only to discover at home that there were no buttons! (I once had a friend who cut all the buttons off the clothes she donated! Please don’t do that!) Consignment shops are another possibility but the prices are much higher.

Staying Bright

Turning your clothes inside out before you put them in the wash will help keep their color from fading. When your clothes continue to look bright and fresh, you’ll feel less demoralized and be less tempted to spend money to replace them.