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| Photo of Macy's by B. P. - Tons of sales and choice of price points. |
THE SAVVY SHOPPER CREED:
I'm an under buyer and a value shopper. More and more I'm a mindful buyer and a minimalist. Everything I need, I buy! And yet, I try not to buy more than what I need. In other words, I only need enough, not more than enough. (A tip on how you become a minimalist is: Organize your closets.)
If an item makes my life happier, easier, or simpler, I buy it. But I don't buy pretty or beautiful yet impractical things, which don't fit my lifestyle. All of us do so younger until we realize if we can't wear or use merchandise, it's wasteful and a poor use of our resources. Not to mention the earth's resources and a slap in the face to 80% of the world's people who don't have enough!
What's more, an item must be worth the money. There are times we buy the top of the line because the article will last longer to save money over time. You won't have to rebuy it as often. There are other times, we buy cheap because it serves our immediate purpose, and we don't need it to last. You still come out ahead if you had to rebuy it.
5 Skip & Buy Rules To Get Your Money's worth:
1) Skip fashion jewelry with luxury names like Chanel, Prada, or Burberry. You will pay top dollar for the name but get crystals, silver, and gold-plated steel metal when you could have spent the same money on fine jewelry that is real gold with precious stones. Instead ...
Buy 14k/18k gold and get the 4 precious gems: diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and emeralds. Usually, it's wasteful to get statement jewelry that is so fancy or big, it only gets taken out of its box once or twice a year. If you buy the right style, all your jewelry can be worn daily, as well as, to galas, rarely staying in a box. Buying jewelry that stays in a box is not worth the money. Wear it or don't buy it!
2) Skip designer shoes not made to fit a real foot. Avoid foot pain and surgery down the line. Instead ...
Buy shoes you can comfortably walk in because they support your arches and stabilize your heels. Let Alexander McQueen's 4-inch stilettos with an unstable footbed and narrow toe box rot in the shop.
3) Skip $500 luxury skincare. Instead ...
For severe acne or skin issues, see a dermatologist. And for every day...
Buy creams with scientifically proven anti-aging ingredients that work. They contain retinoid and retinol, antioxidants, glycolic aid, or peptides. Furthermore, try drugstore brands. L'Oreal, Neutrogena, Olay, Boots No 7, Cerave, Palmor's, and others have stepped up their game by hiring scientists working in skin labs to develop their formulas. These brands offer an array of products to address all skin types and needs for less.
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| Photo of Uniqlo: Hiroko Masuike/The New York Times |
4) Skip designer leggings, t-shirts, shorts, pajamas, and socks. With Old Navy, Uniqlo, American Eagle and T.J. Maxx you're covered in made-well casual clothing for less. There's not one sensible reason to pay more for Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, DKNY, or Lacoste. In fact, you'll find them at T.J. Maxx and get smart casual wear at Old Navy, Uniqlo and American Eagle cheap! Instead ...
Buy designer duds where it counts ... on needed fitted pieces: A good business suit, a trench or winter coat, a leather jacket, supportive leather shoes, etc. Of course, when you find them at end-of-season sales or T.J. Maxx, grab them!
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| Ralph Lauren's flagship store |
Find similar quality bags and luggage elsewhere at fair market prices. Buy value! With use, handbags and luggage scratch. Luggage especially gets banged up.
Buy bags and luggage from retailers who have been making them forever, yet are not marketed as a luxury: Coach, Samsonite, and American Tourister are examples of manufacturers of stellar goods. Making bags or suitcases is what they do! Plus, they put them on sale, unlike those $7,000 or $40,000 luxury bags!!
| Pandemic wear: Crocs from T.J. Maxx paired with Express leggings and H&M socks🙂 |
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