Does anyone else obsess over keeping gifts perfect to the point where you hesitate to wear them!? I sure do. If I really love something I want it to last forever, so I keep it in a safe place and just look at it. Makes sense right!? (Insert rolling eyes emoji). I think it comes from receiving very few special gifts over the years. If it’s an uncommon occurrence to get nice things you tend to cherish them more. The idea of wanting more or feeling like I didn’t have “enough” ultimately developed unhealthy spending habits. When I would buy I had this idea in my head that because I didn’t receive more growing up I needed to be more generous. During times when I had less to spend I actually spent more (whaaaa??) because the idea of having more or giving more seemed like the right thing to do. I made up this expectation that the more I spent the better the gift or the happier I’d be. But those ideas are far from the truth! Now that I’ve had some experience in spending in the WRONG ways I thought I’d share some tips on how to buy on a budget for yourself and others – just in time for the holidays!

Buying for Yourself

Tip 1: Quality over Quantity

One of my biggest tips I can give is to buy quality over quantity. Though you don’t get more in quantity for how much you spend, you are getting better quality so the value is more! I know I know I’m sure you’ve heard this a thousand times but I really think this tip is key. The only time this shouldn’t apply is when you are shopping a trend. When you are on a budget you want to put more money into your classic and timeless items. When you want to purchase a trendy item spend less money. For instance, I have been loving the choker shirt look; I think it’s fun and flattering! But instead of shopping at Nordstrom or Freepeople I am going to cruise over to Forever21. Why? Because I can find it there for less than half the price and it’ll do the job for the duration of the trend (I have also gotten really good at finding cheap items at Forever21 that look more expensive than they are, but that’ll be for another blog!) You can apply this rule to any other trend out there. Want a vibrant pink purse? Spend less on that and put more money towards a good quality black or nude purse that will get you through any season and go with any outfit for years. And the best part? I get to have my cake and eat it too without digging into my savings to buy something I don’t necessarily need.

Tip 2: Buy Only One

You don’t need more than one of any accessory. If you are on a strict budget focus your attention on getting one of each item you would like to have in your closet, or better yet, things that you actually need! For example, I only owned one versatile watch for about 4 years. It went with every outfit and it was great quality so it lasted me forever and I still wear it! But Steve got me a new one for my birthday from Daniel Wellington because I had been eyeing it FOREVER. I swoon over watches all the time but I resist the temptation to buy another because I already have one. This is also a great tip not just for accessories like sunglasses, watches, purses, types of shoes, etc but for staple clothing items as well. You only need one pair of really good quality light, dark, black and distressed denim pants. No one will notice if you wear the same jeans – if they do and judge you for it they need a new hobby. Use the same accessories and rotate your clothing, no one will notice and you’ll find that you often look more put together than you did before. And try to switch your mind frame from want to need. Always ask yourself, “do I NEED this?”

Tip 3: Figure out Where You Spend Your Money

Shopping for yourself on a budget can be very challenging these days. Especially since social media really makes you believe that you aren’t beautiful or stylish if you don’t buy their product. And it can be tough to figure out what the hell you spent your money on! That’s why my last tip is to figure out where you are spending your money and redirect it if necessary. Are you buying dress after dress that you will only wear once? Are you buying short skirts that make you feel uncomfortable so you never wear them? Are you sizing down in jeans and buying them for when you lose weight? Are you buying a ton of crop tops that you can’t wear to work? Once you figure out how you could use your spendings more wisely you’ll be much happier! Replace 3 of those crop tops with quality basics and you’ll find you have more to wear and your money was well spent. Buy items that fit you and you’ll feel more comfortable.

The overall goal when shopping for yourself on a budget is to make conscientious decisions. Put your money where it is needed.

For Gift Giving

I LOVE giving gifts! But like I said before, I had an unhealthy way of looking at what a good quality gift was for a long time.

Tip 1: If You Don’t Have the Money Don’t Spend It

This was a habit that I couldn’t break for a long time, I would just keep putting things on my credit card until I was drowning. But not for just one gift per person…I would get so excited that I would buy MULTIPLE gifts for everyone! It’s as if I thought that the more gifts they had to open the more excited they would get too whether they were good gifts or not. And that’s just not the case. There is no sense in putting yourself into debt over gifts and the people in your life will understand if you are on a budget! It’s an expensive world and we all struggle from time to time.

Tip 2: Be Thoughtful

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to give! Find a single item that will mean something to the person you are giving it to. If you know them well enough I’m sure you’ll come up with an inexpensive but thoughtful gift that they’ll love. However, I’m going to give you a tip on top of my other tip…don’t give someone home decor items unless you know they want it! People can be particular about their homes so don’t try to decorate it for them. If you want go that route go for things like nice hand soaps, diffusers and candles. You can find all of them for a decent price, just make sure they smell nice! Sometimes I like giving wine, a nice olive oil or some spices as a gift, especially during the holidays.

Tip 3: Don’t Stress

At the end of the day you tried to be nice and thoughtful! Picking out gifts can be hard when on a budget but there is no use in getting worked up over getting the “perfect”gift. Someday you’ll be able to give the way you want to but in the meantime you have to focus on yourself and your finances. Which means you give what you can and there is NO shame in that.

Tip 4: Don’t Put it Off

Being on a budget means you have to be more creative and that can take time. Do yourself a favor and plan ahead!

 

Those are all of my tips for buying on a budget for yourself and others! I hope this post was helpful, if you have any questions leave them in the comments below. And as always, thanks for reading!

Byyyyeeeee.

Victoria