When to call in the pros

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Dry cleaning can give your clothes a longer life. They won’t shrink or bleed as much when they’re dry-cleaned, and dry cleaning can get rid of oily stains that don’t come out in the wash. Also, have your clothes dry-cleaned of you think they might lose their shape or their colors in the washing machine. Not all clothes with the “Dry Clean Only” care label have to be dry-cleaned. You can wash some garments in cold water by hand with a gentle cleanser. Then lay them out flat on towels to dry so they don’t lose their shape.



All the best,



Timben

Update old clothes to latest styles

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Chances are a small change to an out-of-style outfit hanging in your closet could make it fashionable again. If you’re handy with needle and thread, you can update your wardrobe with a few minor alterations. In fact, even paying for an alteration can be cheaper than buying new clothes. Think about putting in or removing shoulder pads or changing buttons and other trim. Something as simple as raising or lowering a hemline can make those clothes stylish again.



All the best,



Timben

Identifying quality clothing

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Quality clothes look better, fit better, and last longer. Buying cheap clothes and replacing them when they fall apart can be expensive. Spending a little more money on clothes you can wear again and again will save you money in the long run.

Shop for clothes that are well-made. When you see a pierce you like, inspect it for quality workmanship before you buy it. There are lots of clues that tell you whether a garment is made well. Check the hem and seams to make sure they’re well stitched, and look for telltale signs like holes and snags. Any patterns, like plaids or stripes, should match across seams, lapels, and between pieces, like a suit jacket and pants.

If the item has a zipper, the teeth of the zipper shouldn’t touch your skin. Pockets should even and have clean stitching wherever they connect with the garment. Quality buttons made of brass, horn, or pearl are a sign of quality garment, so keep that in mind as well.

Remember to look inside, too. The interior of the garment should look as good as the outside, with the seams cleanly finished rather than rough and frayed. Jackets, pants, and skirts should have a lining on the inside if they’re made of a winter fabric, like wool. Otherwise, you’ll be uncomfortable when you wear them.

The most important thing to look for in clothes is the fabric. Learn to pick out quality fabrics by going to a department store or fabric store. Get to know how cotton, wool, silk, and cashmere feel and how they’re different so you can identify them when you shop. Every fabric has its advantages and disadvantages.

Cottons and linens are cooler because they breathe better, but they’ve been known to develop holes after a while. Silk drapers beautifully, but it requires high maintenance. Look at the care label on the garment to see what it’s made of and what kind of care it needs. The more you know about the garment, the more confident you can be that it’s worthwhile purchase.



All the best,



Timben

Never pay full price for shoes

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You need new shoes. Don’t worry. There are good deals all over the place. You just have to find them. Follow the sales and make use of coupons, and you’ll never have to pay full price again.

Always look for quality before you look at the price. Quality shoes may cost a little more, but they’ll last longer, which means you won’t have to keep buying new shoes. When your shoes wear out, have them repaired. It’s cheaper to replace the sole or the heel of a well-made shoe that’s comfortable and fits you well than to toss it out and buy a new pair.

Be kind to your feet and buy the proper shoes for different activities. Have enough pairs in your closet so you can switch them every day. Wearing the same pair of shoes day in and day out isn’t good for your feet – or your shoes.

If you know the style and size of shoe you want, you can save money by buying brand name shoes online. The following companies offer sale prices over the Internet. Just be sure to check the shipping and handling charges so you don’t spend more online than you would have originally.

* Eastland www.eastlandshoe.com
* Florsheim www.florsheim.com
* Nike www.nike.com



All the best,



Timben

2 ways to curb impulse buying

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You can stay on budget by avoiding impulse buying. Studies have shown that impulse buys make up 27 to 62 percent of all purchases made in department stores.

Save money by making a list and only buying what’s on the list. If you see something else you like, wait until you get home and add it to the list for next time so you’ll have time to think before you buy the item.

If you don’t have a list but do have a spending limit, bring only the amount of money you’re willing to spend in cash and leave your checkbook and credit cards at home. That way, you can’t go over budget.



All the best,



Timben

Keep an eye on seasonal discounts

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Schedule your big shopping trips so they coincide with big sales. Wait until mid-summer to buy warm weather clothes and bathing suits Fourth of July sales. If you’re really patient, get your beachwear at the Labor Day sales in September when it’s on clearance. The same goes for winter clothing. Retail stores stock up on winter clothes before Christmas and then mark them down by 50 percent through January. By March, you can get a winter coat for a fraction of what you would have paid the season before.



All the best,



Timben

Get discounts with store credit cards

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You can save a lot of money with department store credit cards if you use them wisely. Department stores give you additional discounts on purchase when you use their store credit card. Some stores also invite you to private sales where the store is only open to employees and cardholders for a short time. Just remember to pay off your balance every month, and never use the card to buy anything outside of your monthly budget. Department store cards have huge interest rates.



All the best,



Timben

How to talk the price down

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Price tags aren’t set in stone. It takes a little courage, but you can bring down the price of secondhand clothes just by haggling a little with the salesperson. They’re more flexible than you’d expect. You may need to get over any fears of seeming pushy or cheap, buy once you get going, you’ll save money left and right. Here are a few tips to remember:

* Ask for a discount if there’s a flaw, like a stain or tear on the garment, no matter how small. If the product is even slightly defective, you deserve a reduction in price. Salesperson wants you to leave happy and come again, so they’ll usually give you the discount if you ask.

* Use your buying power. Request a bulk rate if you buy a lot of pieces at once, or if you buy something expensive, ask them to throw in a free gift. Say you might consider purchasing this really nice gown if they add the handbag to the package. You could walk away with a bunch of free stuff.

* Be friendly with the salesperson. You’ll be relieved to find out bargaining doesn’t have to involve yelling and angry comments. Develop a good working relationship with the people at the secondhand store so they realize you’re not trying to be difficult – you’re just trying to get a good deal.



All the best,



Timben

Smart catalog shopping

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Look through a favorite catalog and rip out the page of any item you’re interested in. After that, pull out the order form and throw away the rest of the catalog. Wait a day or maybe even a week, then look over your torn out pages again. If you still want an item, you’ll know this isn’t an impulse purchase, and you can spend the money in good conscience. In addition, since you’re only looking at a few pages, you won’t be tempted to buy other items in the catalog.



All the best,



Timben

Good advice for outlet shoppers

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Outlet malls may seem like bargain heaven at first, but keep an eye for full-priced merchandise in disguise. Some outlet stores sell their products at full price. Find out how much the clothes would cost at a retail store before you buy them so you know exactly how much you’re saving.

Another trick to look for is “cut-ups.” Rather than selling discounted retail clothing, the outlet sells last year’s leftover fabric that’s been cut to look like new styles. It’s not the same product you would get at a retail store, but if you don’t mind, then go ahead and take advantage of the lower price.

Watch out for liquidators posing as outlets. Rather than selling the same clothes at reduced prices, liquidators sell discontinued or slightly damaged merchandise from several different companies. It’s basically the stuff the manufacturer couldn’t sell because no one wanted it. Make sure you’re buying a quality product before you get swept away by the price tag.



All the best,



Timben

Save a bundle on classy clothes

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At consignment shops, you can buy classy clothes at below wholesale prices. Consignment shops sell higher quality clothing than thrift stores, carry a greater selection than garage sales, and offer deep discounts over retail. They’re even better than outlet stores, especially for specialty items like formal wear and business suits. At consignment prices, you can save a bundle and look great too.

You’ll find the nicest items near the register or in the window. Some shops charge more than others or generally carry pricier merchandise. Shop around till you find one that fits your taste and your budget. Then visit it every couple of weeks to get first dibs on the latest deals. Become a regular and befriend the manager and employees. They may be more willing to haggle with you, help you find what you need, or hold certain items.

Check your yellow pages under “consignment,” “secondhand,” or “clothing, used” to find stores near you. Or visit the National Association of Resale and Thrift Shops (NARTS) on the Internet at www.narts.org. Here you can search for resale, consignment, or thrift stores by state, zip code, area code, type of merchandise you want to buy, or any combination of these.



All the best,



Timben

Advantages of thrift store shopping

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A thrift store is a great place to go for rock-bottom prices on clothes and accessories. Thrift stores are nonprofit organizations that offer previously owned items at bargain prices. They get their inventory through private donations, as well as manufacturers and retail stores.

The Salvation Army and Goodwill are both popular thrift stores, though there are others, like TVI/Value Village and Buffalo Exchange, which operate for profit. According to Secondhand Chic by Christa Weil, these for-profit thrift stores usually have a nicer atmosphere and are organized more like retail stores.

Weil also mentions a few pros and cons that come with thrift store shopping. The best part, of course, is the unbeatably low prices. You’re not going to find cheaper clothes anywhere than you will in a thrift store.

Other advantages include their wide selection of styles and the variety of products available. They have everything from hats to shoes. You can even find brand new clothes in these shops since some retail stores now donate their unsold inventory. As a bonus, you get to support a charitable cause just by going on a shopping trip.

You should also be aware of the challenges of shopping at thrift stores. It will probably take you longer to look through merchandise simply because the clothes aren’t usually organized into sizes or styles.

You may also run into problem when you decide to try something on and realize there aren’t any fitting rooms. Most bargain hunters, however, are happy to put forth a little effort for the savings they find.



All the best,



Timben

The best place to hunt for a deal

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Save as much as 80 percent, no matter where you shop. Get great quality, as well as low, low prices when you visit DealHunting.com. This incredible Web site offers bargains from hundreds of well-known stores in over 30 categories.

After you select a store or a category, you’re immediately taken to a list of items on sale. Sometimes you’re given a coupon code to enter. At other times, the site will simply let you know what’s on sale. Shop at stores like Ann Taylor, Brooks Brothers, Sears, Gap, or JCPenney.

And if you’re interested in other items, such as toys, electronics, cosmetics, or even gifts, this site can help you out there, too. Visit them at www.dealhunting.com.



All the best,



Timben