Fashion on a budget

photo credit: ahylton

While many may not be thinking about updating their wardrobe after spreading themselves financially thin after Christmas, it can actually be one of the best times of the year for buying quality yet inexpensive clothing. Towards the end of the year, department stores and online retailers are dying to get rid of their previous inventory, and for shoppers, that means getting great deals on great clothing.

So whether you are on the market for cheap sunglasses or a few extra sweaters to get you through the rest of winter, now is the time to shop. However, not all deals are created equal, and shoppers still need to keep their wits about them when shopping around the end or beginning of the year. A few tips of advice to heed include:

Shop Online

Shopping online is usually the cheapest way to get clothing and accessories no matter what time of the year it is. However, after Christmas and New Year’s Day specials generally offer shoppers even greater buys. Sometimes your favorite department stores will only offer discounts on certain items online. So if you know what you want to buy, skim online first to see if you can’t find a better deal than you would in the store.

Look for Coupons

While extreme couponing has become a bit of a sensation over the last year, most of us don’t have the time needed to sit down and clip coupons for hours. However, if you know which stores you want to shop at, skim through the Sunday paper before heading out. Retailers such as JCPenney, Kohl’s, Target, and Macy’s all offer great in-store only specials and will generally give you even better money saving deals by offering coupons in the paper which can save you anywhere between $10 to 25 percent off your purchase.

Watch Those Sales Prices

While most department stores really do offer rock bottom prices on merchandise towards the end and beginning of the year, some simply make it look like they are offering lower prices. Stores like these will generally hike their prices a few weeks prior to their big sales and then drop their prices to more normal pricing. So if you don’t think you are really getting that good of a bargain, don’t spend the money. Taking $5 off a $50 sweater really isn’t a bargain, and spending on items such as these will just result in you overspending on items.

With the New Year here, we all want to shed our old skin and embrace the new. We strive for changes and improvements in ourselves so while you are working to be a better person, why not adorn yourself with a better wardrobe. Not only will if make you feel better, but with the low prices that are offered this time of year, shopping now can actually help you achieve a common New Year’s Resolution – living more frugally.