So, you want to splash the cash, but the only problem is you haven't got any. Of course you would love to be able to drop serious dollar on that handbag, a pair must-have red licked heels or even a oooh-awww inducing Tom Ford lipstick, but when it comes to the crunch - (in a Miranda voice should you please...) it really is quite a lot of money. Naturally all the beautiful things in life are the most expensive, materialistic terms i'm talking here - let's not get too deep. The trick of the matter is to save.
Ugh yes - that dreaded phrase. I'm not trying to be your Gran, or instil some life wisdom - but I bought three high-end handbags (and I ain't on no banker wage - just pure determination). You don't have to earn mega bucks, slave away half your wages each month or live off baked beans - saving can be easy - you just have to get behind the idea and motivate yourself - a little mulberry motivation never hurt no body.
Be Honest - What can you save?
Set a target of what you would live to save, how long it will realistically take you and - don't beat yourself up if you have a Zara spree by accident one month. Assess your spending, what do splurge on but don't really need. Blindingly obvious stuff, but have you really thought about it? Are you tempted to spend more money with a debit card or cash? If I have a note in my purse, I will blow it on a cheeky hot chocolate and shitty mag I probably won't read, so I stick to carrying cards. It's not about putting pressure on yourself, its about being savvy.
Back to Basics - cut out the crap.
Do you really need that? Should be your top question. Ban the impulse purchases and set yourself a budget of how much you want to spend this month. It doesn't need to be drastic, but another lipstick (when you own fifty?) or eating out some where pricey every other night adds up. Ditch those magazines you flick through in all of five minutes & cut down your Primark addiction (it all falls apart....) Or give yourself £50 budget a week to have 'fun' and be done with. Wise up your spending habits, by all means don't be a tight missy, just suss out what you don't need.
If you really really want it, write it down. I currently have a list of beauty product's i'm desparado to splurge on, but flicking through now - there's probably only a handful I would still want now. Don't buy into the hype. Or whack it on to a Christmas/Birthday list and you can wave goodbye to awful presents - win win situation.
Let's be frank here, I get so many disgruntled looks/comments about my Mulberry handbags from the same people who tell me they can't afford it, but they happily drop £80 on a Zara bag each month. Where are your girl maths qualifications at? Seriously. One investment that you'll love & wear each day, or a throwaway high-street buy you'll get tired of in three weeks because everyone and their gran has it.
Little by little, week by week.
Pop a tener in a jar (like the lovingly made one above) each week and by Christmas you will have £260. A nice treat in the sales or a helping hand towards presents, and to be honest would you really miss £10 a week? I probably spend that in Boots (on stuff I don't need), er cake & hot choc in Pret (don't judge me) or going over my phone bill (whoops). Even whacking in small silver change or loose pound coins will soon add over time. And if you don't trust yourself to not raid your jar, then set up a weekly direct debit into an ISA account - saving without even doing anything.. ta dah!
Sophie, one of my favourite fashion bloggers, who can impressively spend her wages on ASOS/Zara before the money's hit her account got savvy and in the last year bought a Kitchen Aid (oooh) and Mulberry bag. From simply saving a little bit each month, over time. Whatever you do buy, whether that is a holiday or kitchen appliance (!) you will value it so much more.
Earn the extra dollar!
Go through your unloved clothing items/accessories and have an eBaying spree (see my post here). I earnt well over £200 smackers, putting it towards my handbag purchase, by selling clothes I never planned on wearing again but taking up space. Earn cashback through buying through specialist sites such as Boots Treat Street - see Leanne's excellent post on how to get to grips with cashback sites.
Of course, whilst the finer things in life are nice - saving for birthdays, christmases (creeps on you like a motherf that one) and everyday savings are handy to have. Without sounding all doom or gloom, but you never know what's around the corner.. cough Net-A-Porter sale. Haters gunna hate. But you can do it!
I hope you found this post useful and I didn't preach too much! If you have any top saving tips, then please leave them below. And if you're here to say OH MA GOD, you dropped that on a handbag, then get a grip and excuse yourself from my existence. Tar then!
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