Thrifting 101

Hey guys, I hope you had a great weekend. Mines was very lax, I went out and enjoyed the weather. It wasn't a stay in the house type of weekend for me. I actually went to the mall at some point too and got 2 pairs of pants from H&M and a pair of leggings from Forever 21. Let me know if you would like to see them. They were pretty basic so I didn't feel a picture was needed. However, I don't call myself a "Budgetnista" for nothing. The pants from H&M were only $12.50 each! & the leggings from Forever 21 were $12.80. 

This brings me to my "Greatest find" lol. Not really, But it is this denim JCrew jacket I purchased at the thrift store for $9.99 !! I'm so excited because I've been wanting a denim jacket so bad! They've been sold out in Old Navy, Macy's, H&M and Forever 21. I was almost about to buy one from American Eagle Outfitters for $50.00 Sunday! But my mind kept telling me to wait until I check thrift stores again. Back home, I came across a vintage Denim jacket at a thrift store and put it back (God knows why) and that had been haunting me ever since lol Now that can finally be put to rest because I found a great one! & its my size, Small! 

A Woman's J Crew Denim Jacket retails from  $295 - $95. I got a great deal!

What are your favorite thrift store finds?

If you're like me, then you're probably overwhelmed with thinking of ways you can save up enough cash to buy new items for your summer wardrobe, as well as catch a movie and lunch with your friends a few times. The real challenge is trying to finance these summer plans! I think I've found a few ways that seem to be working for me so far.

1). Get a part time job. This may be harder than it sounds, but you have nothing to lose. Put on a nice casual outfit, neutral fresh makeup, and hit the streets (In a good way). I recommend starting at clothing stores like Victoria's Secret, and Forever 21. They're always hiring, and since it's the summer, many seasonal positions are available. Fill out applications in store, instead of online (if offered), that way you can sell yourself with a bright smile when handing in your application to a manager.

2). Drink Water! This might sound like a heath tip instead of a money saving tip but it actually is. Ordering a drink from a menu day after day, night after night, adds up. They usually run you anywhere between $2.oo and $5.00 ! Water is a healthy choice and FREE choice.

3). D.I.Y. Do It Yourself. It's the summer so you and I both know we want to look our best, but it's time we start pulling tricks from our sleeve. Instead of searching deep in your wallet for money to get your hair and nails done, do it yourself. If you need help, search for tutorials on YouTube, or ask a friend. There are plenty of ways to pull off fun & stylish looks on your own!

4). Host a "Kick-Back." A "Kick-Back" is a laid back type of party. Since you are the host, you can invite all your friends and you can see them at one place, for free. Pull out the old board games like Twister, and Scrabble, whip up some finger food snacks and lemonade to drink & there you go! A night out just turned into a night in, that's a lot of fun, and inexpensive.

5). 50/50 Rule. Half of whatever amount of money that falls into your possession is saved and the other half is fair game. That way you don't feel so bad about splurging one half, knowing that you've saved the other. Open a savings account. Most saving accounts have a minimum balance, this can be another motivating force for you to save.

I hope these tips work for you. Good luck & happy saving!