Save or Splurge

Hey lovelies! How was everyone's "Super Sunday?" I spent mine crying over the adorable kittens at the Kitten Bowl. Did you guys see that? Omg, I was sobbing it was so cute, I wanted to adopt all of them (is this how cat ladies are born?).  I actually have been wanting a cat for like two years now, especially a special needs cat and this just cemented the need.

Anyway, I just wanted to distract you all with kitten talk because today we're going to be talking about meow-ny...I mean money. Now, I think everyone has the same problem as I do, I love to shop, but I hate spending money. I'm always on the hunt for a good deal and for really cute clothes, which is a rarer combo than you think. Sometimes in the heat of the moment, with money burning in our pockets, it's super easy to spend cash on things in the name of "treat yo self". Which sometimes can lead us feeling bad about spending money on clothes. Now, they're no shame in spending cash on clothes, but today I'm going to give you some helpful hints on what's worth the price tag, and what you probably buy on the cheap.

So let's get started!

T-Shirts and Tank Tops 

Photo by Lauren Roberts on Unsplash
I am such a sucker for a t-shirt. If it has a quirky design, book quotes, or anything to do with any of my fandoms I'm in. I own at least two dozen tee's in my closet right now. They are very versatile and can be dressed up or down. However, some tee's can go for $20-$30 bucks. Is it worth the price?
Save or Splurge? SAVE! 
Why? T-shirts are legit a dime a dozen. They are more of a fast fashion and really cheap to make, so why spend a lot of money on them if they don't cost that much to make? Also because the material is usually cheap, your shirt will usually either shrink or stretch over time and end up as your lazy day or sleep shirt, which is a sad way to end the life of a $26 dollar t-shirt. Please don't spend over $10 on any t-shirt (this goes double for tank tops or cami. Please just buy your cami's at Forever 21 for a $1.99).
The Exception?: The only exception to this rule is uniqueness and rarity. I always buy a tee shirt at every concert I go too because I'm sentimental AF and it's something to remember the moment that I can't get anywhere else (which is prob way concert merch is so pricey). If it's something I can get in actual stores (like JcPenny's, Target, or label shoppers) I'll more likely to spend a little more. Some of my favorite online shops are OutofPrint, Jordandene, Wicked Clothes, and LookHuman which are small businesses and therefore their prices are going to be higher but their stuff is usually more well made and therefore will last longer (also OutofPrint and Wicked Clothes donate to charity). Still, I usually buy when I have a coupon code and maybe some free shipping.
My advice: wait for a sale and stock up.

Winter Coat (or raincoat, or any outerwear really)
Photo by Robbie Noble on Unsplash
Hey fun fact, we just got 8 inches of snow and will probably get more by the end of the week. As a woman who is always cold, I'll be wearing some form of a jacket from now until May. Break out the winter coats!
Save or Splurge: Splurge 
Why? My rule of thumb if you're going to be using it every day, and you want it last more than one season, it's okay to spend some more money on it. My current winter coat is a Patagonia that cost $198 (x-mas gift). I've had it for four winters and it still looks brand new and it probably last for another four years and I wear it from Nov-early April so it's a good long season. To be fair I also have mid-season coats that I had since high school that still hold up and didn't pay more than $30 bucks for. But I also have coats that are paid less and didn't last two seasons, so you're better off just spending the money now so you don't have to keep buying a new coat every year.
The exception? If you live in a very warm climate that doesn't rain or snow then you don't have to spend the money, but a least get a nice jacket for mild months.
My advice: Coats usually go on sale around this time of year to make room for their spring line, so this is the perfect time to get a discount on a nice coat for next winter. Thank me later.


Shoes 
Photo by Jakob Owens on Unsplash
With a blog called Sarcasm in Heels, you know I love shoes, but how much will I actually pay?
Save or Splurge? It Depends!
Why? Because shoes are complicated? Lol. No seriously it really depends on what type of shoe you're buying. If your buying flats or sandals which or not made to last, buy cheap. If your buying boots, it's better to spend a little more. A good rule of thumb is to try them on, make sure they are comfortable, walkable, and something you can see yourself wearing at least 3 times a week. But again it's very hit or miss. I've had shoes I've spent $10 dollars on that are still perfect YEARS later. And I had designer shoes that were destroyed after six months. You never can tell.
My advice? Never spend more than $30 on shoes.

Jeans 

Photo by Jakob Owens on Unsplash
The staple of any wardrobe, but how much is too much?
Save or Splurge: Save! 
Why? Because honestly, jeans are super unforgiving when it comes to weight changes, especially for ladies! For example, I range from a size 0 to a size 3 depending on both brand and where I am in my recovery (also weirdly a size 13 in children). I can only wear skinny jeans because of my body type. Depending on where I am in my recovery I can be swimming in size three or having to do a dance to get into my 0'S. Not to mention when I'm PMSing I bloat and it all goes to my tights, making some of my jeans not fun to wear. And for women's clothes, a size 0 in one brand can be a size 5 in another and Forever 21 does jeans starting at size 24 or some nonsense. And if your buying online it's almost impossible. And jeans tend to shrink in the wash, so why pay a lot of money for a lot of nonsense? I buy my jeans at Forever 21 for $7 and they work perfectly fine through all my weights. Weirdly enough Walmart has good jeans for low prices too.
The Exception? If they are super duper well made, with super stretch and they make your butt like magic and last for at least four years. Anything is else is fast fashion and not worth the price tag.
My advice: Go to Peter Harris, Label Shoppers or Tj Maxx's for jeans or save yourself the trouble and just buy your shit at Forever 21.

Handbags 

Save or Spurge Splurge 
Why? I really struggled back and forth with this decision guys, originally putting it on the save list. But after I thought about it, I put it on the Spurge, but it wasn't easy. I'm not a person who goes gaga over designer brands and really do think they are an unneeded luxury item.  However, there is just something about a nice handbag that makes it worth the sometimes insane price tag.  Really nice leather that softens as it ages is my kink guys. And designer handbags are so well crafted that they will last forever, I promise you, even the ones that are leather are still beautifully made and are a statement piece. That's my bag above and it's one of my favorite things.
The exception: If you're not using it every day, or only going to use it for special occasions. Then it's not worth it.
My Advice: QVC and HSM have really good deals on designer brands.

Dresses 
Photo by Charisse Kenion on Unsplash
Save or Spurge It Depends! 
Why? Same with the shoes there are so many different factors that go into how much you should pay for a dress. From uniqueness, fabric, how often you'll wear them, the company). I don't like to spend a lot of money on dresses, especially something I'll only wear a one or twice (my prom dress was like $199 but it was super nice and I'm still trying to figure out how to repurpose it). But if it's vintage I tend it want to pay more, especially for something I could wear to work. However, if you buy online, you never really know the fabric until you actually get it home. It can be hit or miss.  My top three places to get nice dresses at low prices are Forever21, LindyBop, and Penny's. I also will splurge on Hot Topic nerdy dresses.
My advice If your buying from an company for the first time, don't spend a lot until you really know how to the clothes feel and fit. But if you know you are going to be wearing a dress a lot, it's cool to spend a little more. Make a budget.

Just a few more saving tips...

• Whenever you are about to purchase something try to picture three outfit/occasions you would wear it with things you already have in your closet. This is super easy to do when you're online shopping, a little harder to do it stores. 
• ABC's: Always Be Couponing. Seriously, the regular price tag is the sucker price. Try to shop when there is a sale or you have a coupon. Seriously it's super easy to google a coupon code then pay full price. 
• Love it or Leave it. A shopping trick that I always ask myself when I'm looking to buy something is "Do I love it?" If I don't quickly answer with a YES! then I don't buy it. 
• Create a separate email account, solely for signing up for newsletters. Seriously signing up for a stores newsletter or email list is a great way to get coupons or info on a sale, but no one what's their inbox to be flooded a hundred times a day by a bunch a different stores. A separate email keeps your life a little bit in order. 

That's all for today loves! What did you think of these shopping tips? Let me know in the comments. 

Stay Stylin, 

Elle