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how can you prevent this from happening again? By Gishmora Hhow can you prevent this from happening again? By Gishmora H

How To:

TIP:DEDUCT FROM YOUR PERSONAL ENTERTAINMENT BUDGET TO FEEL THE PINCH.

SETTING A BUDGETIt’s pretty apt to say that setting a budget is the core idea of being a budget fashionista. Without a budget, the danger is that you might be throwing away more than what you can afford without realising it.

Set aside your lunch money, transport fare, some of it for your school miscellaneous activities and for your personal entertainment use. The remaining? Save it for a rainy day. And no, that impulsive buy of trendy heels or the latest gaming gadget does not construe a rainy day. But what happens when you realise at the end of the month that you have overspent? Smack yourself on the arm for the lack of discipline, refl ect and make a note to deduct the amount that you’ve overspent from next month’s budget.

Oh no... You look at your ATM withdrawal receipt and realise you don’t

even know where that $150 went to. What happened? Where did themoney go? Was your ATM card stolen? Most importantly though is,

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GET FLEA-TASTICOh yes! Flea markets. Fleas are just great places to fi nd someone else’s trash and making it your treasure. It’s also a great place to fi nd good bargains! But think again. Do you really need that ‘80s glam shiny sequined sweater that could have belonged to your grandma? Sure the trend was in, (we hope sequined dresses/tops/jeans would just disappear!) but it does not mean it will last. Which is often always.

Have a limit to the total amount that you’re willing to spend. Keep a list of items to look out for. Occasionally, it’s ok to let your guard down and get that brand new killer knee-high Kowalski boots that was marked down from $199 to $40! (Now that’s a GREAT fi nd!)

Even better than shopping at fl ea markets is to participate in one. Sell your still looking good but unused items and earn some money while shopping.

GET FLEA-TASTIC

BUT FLEA MARKETS ARE SO SEASONAL...There are other alternatives such as thrifts stores or even online shopping. Browse through the various Salvation Army stores islandwide or even those mom & pops second-hand stores. Online experts would also know that websites such as eBay offers great branded buys marked down to a much lower price. But be wary and smart when purchasing as the originality of the product can sometimes be questionable.

Even hitting closer to home, you can now shop while catching up with old friends via social networking sites such as Multiply or Facebook. So keep those ATM/debit cards close by and stick to the budget as the temptation to overspend can sometimes be too overwhelming!

And let’s not forget the 4 letters shopaholics love: S-A-L-E. Spending during sales can save you money, yet if without restraint, can make you lose more than you ever imagine! “But it’s

only $10!” you exclaim as you try to justify the so-called bargain that you just picked up. But fi ve of same priced sale tops would already cost you $50 and it’s much better to get that $50 dress you have been aiming for at retail price. See the bigger picture when shopping and be ruthless: ask yourself if you really need that item? Can it be used for other purposes?

It doesn’t matter if you’re simply saving money or trying to curb the shopaholic demon in you, always remember: think before you buy. Impulsive buys are the main cause of Wardrobe Obesity (the condition when your wardrobe have too much clothes in it than it is supposed to carry, causing the doors to gap and not be able to close properly). Always compare prices before you buy.

At the end of the day, all you need to ask yourself is: Is it truly worthy of taking up space in your wardrobe? How many times would you use it? If both answers are unsatisfactory, wave “adios” and walk on by.