How to be a Recessionista

With the US in a recession for the last few months, the media is full of "experts" giving everyone advice on how to be money savvy so they can ride out this low. So why don't I offer my own few pennies of wisdom? Before this recession hit like a cold shower, I would just buy whatever that was within my price range and usually if it was on sale. For clothes, anything under $50 probably wouldn't prompt much pause on my part before pulling out my credit card. But now, I've decided to be more selective about my purchases. Here are my new guidelines for making purchases:

1. Is it something I need? e.g. hair cut, facial cleansers. I will still buy those like before.
2. Is it something I really, really want? Often, I see something that I like but I'd ask myself, did I want it before I saw it? If I didn't, then it is an impulse buy and my money is probably better spent on something I've been wanting for a while.
3. But say, it was a great sale, like 90% off, it's usually really hard for me to resist. However, I make myself wait about 24 hours, to see if I still want it then. If I do, then I'll get it.
4. Finally, I've been reminding myself: "quality over quantity". If something is on sale, great, but I'd rather save that money and use it on something that I've been wanting for a long, long time and that's much more durable and special.
   

Happy Mother's Day

After becoming a mother I've been really missing the carefree shopping experience I used to enjoy without a demanding baby to stroll around. So for this Mother's Day, one of my treats was to go on a solo shopping trip. I decided to hit Forever 21, since I could never have enough time to go through that store. It's always so overwhelming to face such a huge selection. But I know you can find great buys there if you have the patience. Based on past experience, I learned that I have to have a few targets in mind when I venture into this store. So here was my shopping list: 1) casual dresses for weekends that I can wear with leggings 2) statement necklaces 3) fitted blazer/shrugs for wearing over dresses or tanks. I'm glad to say that after over an hour in that store, I was victorious in 2 out of 3 categories and only spent a little over $100.

Striped Babydoll Dress - $14.50 This dress is very cute on and would be great for summer. I can imagine wearing it with a denim jacket as a cover up.

Ruffle trim woven tunic - $22.80 I'm so glad that ruffle is in this season because it is totally me. I love this top for its sunny colour. I already wore it once with black knee length leggings. I can even see myself wearing it to work with a long cardigan.

Filigree Flowers Necklace - $7.80 This necklace looks nicer in real life. I chose it as a bold statement necklace to dress up basic pieces.


Linda Floral Pearl Necklace - $12.80 This necklace is such a steal at this price. It has rhinestones on it that makes it look like it could have cost $100 as some of these necklaces do often cost. I can't wait to wear it with a black dress to add a vintage, classy feel.

Clover Cluster Necklace - $5.80 This is probably the least interesting of the 3 necklaces I found but I immediately got compliments on it when I wore it last week. I didn't mention it was only $6, heehee!

I also got a floral ruffle top, very Blair Waldorf a la Gossip Girl, and another knit dress. I was so, so pleased with my Mother's Day shopping trip!