Ladies, one problem we can all admit having, is a serious shopping addiction! Let’s face it, it’s imprinted in our genes and there’s nothing our financial advisors can do about it. That said, we (and our bank accounts) could probably benefit from learning how to be budget-savvy when it comes to shopping.
Kriya Gangiah shares her top five tips to help you (read: us) stick to your budget when you feel the urge for a little retail therapy!
1 Let’s talk sale
Always keep your eyes and ears open just in case a sale pops up! Make sure you’re following all your favourite brands and stores on social media so that you never miss an announcement. During mid-season or end-of-season sales, get to the mall before the stores open. Grab some breakfast to get your energy levels up, and then hit the shops as soon as they open their doors.
2 Hit factory stores
To get your hands on the best pieces, head to factory stores early in the morning on a weekday. Be sure to check each item thoroughly for any defects — buttons can be replaced but some holes just can’t be fixed! Once you’ve picked out everything you like, do a final run-through of all your items just in case you change your mind or realise there’s something you don’t actually need.
3 Get online… now!
Online shopping is the way of the future. It’s a quick and easy process for finding well-priced, fashion-forward clothing. The only downside is that you can’t try before you buy, so only use websites that have detailed sizing guides or good return policies. The best part about online shopping? You can do it from the comfort of your warm bed while sipping on a glass of wine.
4 Have a game plan
Kriya swears by this tip: Before you dash out to the stores, spend some time writing a list of all the items you’re looking for. This will help ensure that you only buy the essentials and don’t overspend on things you don’t need. Pinterest can be super helpful for finding examples of items you’re hoping to find.
5 Pop some tags
A lot of fashionistas recommend shopping at second hand or thrift stores. If you’re lucky, you might find some really amazing designer pieces at a fraction of their retail price — just be prepared to dig! Most of these stores are actually charity organisations, so you’ll be supporting a good cause at the same time.
Kriya Gangiah is an info-tainment professional who is currently livening up Pretoria’s airwaves on Jacaranda FM and in 2016 is back on our screens as a Mela TV show presenter.
Want more tips from Kriya? Here are her 5 tips for getting red carpet ready and here’s how to steal her red carpet beauty look.
