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Debt > Ways to Save Money > Clothing |
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Reduce clothing expenses by always buying classic -- Clothing fads come and go so quickly that last year's poodle skirt will bring snickers and giggles if you dare to wear it this season. This means that $150 you paid for it was a real waste of money. Avoid buying faddish clothing that will quickly go out of style. Instead, buy only good quality classic clothing that you can wear five years from now if you haven't worn it out by then. Reduce clothing costs by buying mix and match pieces -- Buy clothing items that you can wear with what you already own. You can get more looks with fewer pieces. Whenever possible, buy clothing that can be worn year round. Reduce clothing costs by avoiding dry cleaning whenever possible -- Dry cleaning is very expensive and therefore should be avoided whenever possible. Although many clothing labels recommend dry cleaning, about 25% of the time, the item can be laundered in your machine at home or by hand. Ask your dry cleaner. Reduce clothing costs by buying at the end of the season -- Clothing stores significantly mark down clothing to make room for their Spring or Winter merchandise. The coat that originally sold for $260 in November will be marked down to $80 by the following March. Therefore, Spring is the time to get a good deal on a winter coat; Fall is the time to get a good deal on a pair of shorts. You can cut hundreds from your family's annual clothing budget by shopping this way. Avoid the mall and try to buy from a wholesaler -- Retail space at your local mall comes at a premium price for the retailer, who passes the cost on to consumers. This is why clothing costs three times as much at the mall as it does from a wholesaler. Buy clothing at discount outlets or from wholesale catalogs and you can reduce your clothing budget by about two-thirds. Shop for clothing at the mall only when they've drastically reduced out-of-season merchandise. Sell clothing you don't want at Consignment Shops -- Although most second-hand clothing is just that -- second hand, you can find some good bargains at consignment shops. Sometimes you can find good quality designer outfits that still have the original price tag on them or were hardly worn. These items were likely purchased by wealthy women who were shopaholics and needed to make room for new purchases. A consignment shop is also a good way to get rid of clothing you don't want any longer, but is still in good condition. You split the profit with the shop owner. Open a store credit card -- Department stores and other retailers usually send discount coupons to those who have a store credit card. Keep in mind that department store credit cards usually come with a very high interest rate -- 18% to 28% -- so you don't want to actually use them to make purchases unless you pay the balance in full each month. Also, keep in mind that opening new credit accounts can lower your FICO credit score, which could result in higher insurance premiums and higher interest rates when obtaining financing. |
Debt Kit -- Settle unsecured debt for less than half of amount owed Credit Kit -- Improve credit rating and reduce monthly bills by $200+ |
Getting Out of Debt: Ways to Save Money |
Debt > Ways to Save Money > Clothing |
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