The Holidays are one of the most confusing times to shop. Sometimes, if you wait long enough, the price on the item you wanted will plummet, just before Christmas, and drop even further during the January clearance sales, when all the stores are clearing winter items to make room for Spring fashions. This year you can get a jump on that process by Christmas shopping at Coldwater Creek and other big stores that still have overstocks of spring /summer items. I just bought a couple of items for 40% off of a 60% markdown. I should add that I've been following these items for months and guessed that 80% off was the best I was likely to get. (Yes, you probably DO need a calculator.)
Lots of times, that happens, just that way. However, remember that the item you want or need may be wanted or needed by others, too. That means that the item may sell out before it drops to a price you can afford. Is this a tragedy? NO!
It used to be that it would be years between before another "perfect dress" showed up at the mall. But now, with your computer, you have access to stores everywhere in the world. With the entire world turned into one massive mall, shopping isn't a desperate grab for just anything that might keep you from being arrested for indecent exposure. It's a leisurely browse through sources from every continent, and once you have your wardrobe basics (ie, you can go outside without getting arrested) you can actually enjoy imagining yourself in all sorts of garments and undergarments. It's fun! Like playing dress-up.
If an outfit sells out, there will be others. You have a long list of suppliers listed on this blog. If your usual sources fail you, check them!
If you can afford to buy anything you want, and pay any amount they charge, that's lovely. Do be sure to take whatever you don't wear often to your local consignment store, OR hire some contractors to build a nice place to store all of it. (Remember, clutter is always the enemy!)
If, on the other hand, you have to figure out how much you can spend on clothes and still pay for your other basics, remember that looking good is important to your well being and your career. It creates that important first image that makes people decide whether you're a hard worker, whether you're smart, whether you represent the company or the family in a positive way.
On the other hand, your credit score is just as important. If you spend more than you can quickly pay back, your credit score will suffer. That used to be a private matter between you and your creditors, but now employers, prospective employers and law enforcement officers look at a bad credit score and massive credit ard debt as proof that you're irresponsible and possibly dishonest.
One of my friends has been living with her boyfriend for more than twen years. They have two children together and the relationship appears permanent. She told me she'd love to marry him, but she can't afford to marry his credit card debts, which just keep getting bigger.
Think about it. If you were considering marriage and you found out that the day you said "I do.", thanks to community property, HALF of his $25,000 credit card debt would be half yours... Wouldn't you have a few second thoughts?
Say 25,00 of them?
A bad credit score can bar you from the life you've always dreamed of .
So, admire everything, put together a "wish list" of everything you want, then narrow it down and select ONLY what you can afford this month. Then wait a few days and see if you STILL think it would be that wonderful. (Sometimes, given 3 days to "chill, you find yourself thinking "What WAS I THINKING?"
But if it still seems like the item that would fit the exact need you have, and you want it, need it, and can afford it, that's the time to buy it.
Gradually you'll accumulate both a wardrobe and a credit score to be proud of.
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