Reason number 33 why you shouldn’t go shopping today:
Think of all the money you could save by NOT buying that new dress today. Oh, forget it…it’s treat yourself o’clock.
#weallhaveacheatday
Tag: Shopping
Inspiration
Reason number 11 why you shouldn’t go shopping today:
The sale shoppers are out in full force, honey! Don’t be trying to compete with their grubby hands!
Things I’m Loving
This week has been super taxing on me. I feel like I’m hemorrhaging money, but at the same time…I’m getting super worth it things. It’s a trade-off, but it’s all about making those sacrifices. Most of my purchases were on a need-to-buy basis and were totally selfless…I swear!
This week, I picked the lucky number to go into work at 6am…I honestly don’t mind it…but I’m just thinking about what a zombie I’ll be, and I hate it. At least I’m close to 40 hours, right?
Anyway, this blogger is super excited about her new super cute purchases that happen to be a fantastic price!
- Hound Dog Belle Band : Southern Proper // Girl, this baby is all the rage right now. Perfect fit, print, and width to make a statement. I can’t even stand it. Follow them here. These bands are currently on sale for $15. I know, for a headband? Yes. And you’ll love me for it.
- Ticket: Hot Chocolate on a Stick: I got my first hot chocolate on a stick from a secret santa at work…and I’ve been crazy about them ever since. If you go on their website, they have more variety than I’ve ever seen. Peppermint, Chili, and Chai…oh, my!
- David’s Tea: This new found tea shop (thanks to my coworker) has become a haven for all of the employees at my work. We get free tea after hours, and we spread the word about them like CRAZY! All of our customers have checked out David’s Tea and become enormous fans!! They have any type of tea that a tea snob could love, and then some. Check them out and sign up for their “frequent steeper” card.
- A Writing Competition: Yes, I said that right. I invested in myself. I trusted myself to pull out some genius words that could potentially win me money…and I’m cool with that. Google it…you can do it too.
- This Shirt: Francesca’s: Yes. I bought this…and I wear it out in public…and it makes people smile and laugh. Judge me, sue me, whatever. It’s comfortable and makes me look skinny. Black is slimming anyway. Buy it, rock it, and love it. Because I do.
Anyway, so I think I’m done with buying stuff for now. Got another week to go on my paycheck and I have to say…I’m rockin’ it! (If I stop now!) It’s good to pamper…especially if you don’t get out much 😉
xoxo- kate
It’s Hard Out There For A Bride
I could literally see my wedding dreams going up in smoke.
If there is a simple fact of life, this is one of them: Weddings cost money. A lot of money. So when I got engaged at 25 years old, I recognized that fact. But I don’t think I comprehended just what weddings cost until I began to actually search. And I should probably also mention that I am luckier than a lot of people my age. I have two parents offering to foot the bill for my wedding. But that is within a strict budget.
I do a lot of reading online about other people’s weddings. I’m a female, it’s what I do, get over it. I got in my head that I wanted to have my wedding at the Please Touch Museum in Fairmount Park (Philadelphia). Then their wedding coordinator sent me an email. I could literally see my wedding dreams going up in smoke.
I don’t know what you’re throwing in your chicken parmesan if you want me to pay you $250 to serve it to my family. Do you make it with gold? Does Channing Tatum himself prepare, cook, and serve my dinner? Because if you are charging me that much money per plate, after asking me to give you $5,000 to rent your hall, there had better be a Magic Mike reenactment somewhere during my reception.
After touring seven different venues, I finally found somewhere that gives me what I am looking for within my budget. I then began to search for photographers. Holy hell! Everything adds up quickly. But, I should probably mention that I am not willing to compromise on this either. I dabble in photography, so finding a good photographer is a top priority for me. I’ve spoken to three different photographers to date, all with prices starting at $3000. Let me try and get that past my parents. I can hear them already… “Do you know what I could do with three grand?!”
Pictures are not JUST pictures! They are all you have left from the day, pictures matter. And trust me, I’ve seen some jacked up wedding photos. I don’t want to be the memes that Kate laughs at later when she’s on her break from work.
But since the theme of Kate’s blog is shopping on a budget, I will also share the few savings I’ve had so far!
My venue is including flowers for our center pieces, and ceremony site, which saves us a ton of money to begin with. But they also work with the same florist that we wanted to use anyway and they will give us 20% off of any additional flowers we order, so bouquets, boutonnieres, etc are discounted! Score!
Here’s another tip for those soon to be engaged: pay attention at any weddings you attend for vendors you might like. I’m choosing a DJ from a previous wedding that will offer us a photo booth and his DJ services as a package deal, and discount for a repeat booking. Plus my brother-in-law knows his wife, so we’re hoping for a little magic there too!
Holiday Shopping Etiquette
Ah, the season of grumpy parents and bratty children has begun! I’m so excited! Partially because I am neither…but because of Caramel Brulée Lattes at Starbies. But, that’s another post…for another time. However, if you don’t know what it is…click that link, educate yourself, and get back to me…pledge.
Cool- we’re all caught up? Great. Let’s get started. Last year, I blogged about budgeting and making sure you all knew the tips and tricks to stick to your budget. This year, I’m talking about etiquette. Someone has to– might as well be me.
Who To Buy For:
- Your direct family. This means parents, siblings, and yes…your in-laws too. Get a “couple gift” if need be, but don’t be a rude sister/brother-in-law. It leaves a bad taste in a person’s mouth.
- A significant other. Depending on the seriousness of your relationship, gifts may have to be purchased for his or her family members as well. If engaged, get it together.
- Your BFF. Talk to her/him. Determine a budget and stick to it. No one wants to be embarrassed when exchanging gifts.
- Your Close Friends. If they are all in the same close knit group, do a Secret Santa sort of deal. If they aren’t, work it out individually. Some friends don’t want to give gifts, and would rather just have a fun night together. I get it, and I’ve done it.
Who Not To Buy For:
- That crazy coworker who bought you a candy cane.
- Your Dunkin’ lady…your Starbies barista may be another story: She just gets you..and I get that.
- Your “friend” who you see once a year to “exchange gifts.” Please, let that end…sooner rather than later.
- Your customer at work who knows what kind of car you drive, and the type of coffee you drink. My advice? Don’t drink the coffee she brings you when she comes in to buy stuff. Just saying…
- Your coworker’s child. Unless you are close, which I doubt, refrain from this practice. You’ll be broke by the time that kid graduates from kindergarten.
- Your boss. We know, it’s important to suck up. Write a card with meaningful thank you. If they wanted a gift, they would have given you a raise.
That’s it. Don’t buy petty, nonsense gifts. This time of year, it is so easy to go crazy and shop for anyone you’ve ever had a conversation with. Don’t do it. It’s not cute. As always, stick to a budget, and always remember to avoid a credit card charge!
xoxo- Kate
Some Advice Before Buying Full Price
Hey Boos-
Ok, so let’s talk about this whole instant gratification thing. I’m guilty. Who isn’t? …put your hand down, bitch. Anyway, I want to talk about buying full price in a store or online. Stawp it. You know it’s going on sale in like, a week. Let me tell you, stores pull items off the floor almost weekly. Stores also almost ALWAYS mark that stuff down come the next two or three weeks. If they don’t, whatevs. Hate me, I saved you some money.
Here’s some advice to you when something is on the market that you just can’t get your eyes off of. (I’ve been there,after all… I am human.)
- Stalk the crap out of it. Visit that website every day if you have to. Sign up for promo e-mails, then unsubscribe after you’ve gotten what you need from them. (Ugh, that’s so terrible.)
- Make sure you do price comparisons. Go on direct online sites that maybe selling the same item for cheaper.
- Although I used to stick my nose in the air about this, check Amazon and Ebay. No jokes..well the one joke would be if you bought something and it was fake…but seriously, there are a lot of people out there who have what you want and are selling it because of a break-up, divorce, or they too are broke!
- You want it? Work for it. Go on every website you can think of. RueLaLa, Hautelook, Nordstrom, Bloomies, Macy’s, Neiman, Lord and Taylor, do I need to go on? I mean, you found me because you’re trying to get off the drug, you already know what it looks like 😉
- Just know how terrible you’ll feel when you’ve already bought it, and it goes on sale the next day.
(On another note, trying to stop shopping is like trying to stop smoking the first, second, and third time. Harder than hard. But, once you get over the first hump, it’s so good…in reference to both things.)
Anyway, happy hunting!
xoxo- Kate
DIY Halloween
Hey Noodles-
With Halloween at the end of the week, I figured I wanted to let you know that even frugal ladies and gents need a good costume! So, here are 10 DIY alternatives that you could totally rock this upcoming “boo”fest!
- A Bridezilla: HA! This one is for me. Wear a white dress, veil, and a reptilian-like tail (or construction paper…but don’t cut corners!) #dying
- Instagram Famous: Literally wear your best outfit and make up, and follow this DIY. Girl knows what shes talking about!
- Amanda Bynes: Oh? Too soon? Whatevs. I was Mandy last year, and my BFF was her fabulous twitter account. For this one, wear matching sweats, a fabu rhinestone hat, a platinum blonde wig, and dimple piercings. **
- Please, for me, be a college student. Sweats, so college t-shirt, and uggs. For men, sweats/jersey shorts, so college t-shirt, and flip flops.
- RBF- Resting Bitch Face. Just mix basic white girl costumes (north face, uggs, leggings) with your regular “I just want a venti iced coffee” face.
- Tourist: Why is it when people travel, they feel the need to wear comfy and ugly clothing?! Wear a pair of soffe shorts (lol) a t-shirt from your high school, and a fanny-pack. (Hey, you can hold maybe two cans of beer in there…or a lot of those mini liquor bottles!)
- If you like 80’s movies, go as John Cusack in “Say Anything.” Don’t even ask me how to do that. Get a stereo.
- Jenna Marbles: Get two stuffed dogs, a ripped body, and get a wonderous purple wig. Put on that black eye makeup, and dance the night away.
- A mistake: Dress up like an ex.
- Blow up and print out a picture of a sting ray face. Then photobomb pictures.
**Note to #teammandy supporters: Those who do not have dimple piercings may substitute earrings with makeup glue on your cheeks. You’re welcome! 😉
xoxo- Kate
Ps. I know you all liked number 9. #icanteven
Broke Ain’t No Joke
Let’s talk about this hiatus, huh?
Anywho, I’m trying my friends. I really am. Life catches you and throws you around like a piece of meat. Ugh, whatevs. Let’s just say,
I’m sorry. Okay, now that we have that out of the way, we have some new confessions. We can call them the good, the bad, and the really terrible.
For the good: I started making my own lunch, I thankfully have a job, and I’m paying off my credit card debt…$20 each week to be exact. I have to say, it’s a good balance. I’ve trained myself to look at my paycheck with $40 less every two weeks.
For the bad: I work in a clothing store. A really cute one. I get a fairly awesome discount, and I wear the clothes anyway. We all can see where this is going.
The really terrible: EEK! Okay, I’m getting married next year, and PINTEREST is making things so hard on me (typical first world problem) Ok, but seriously. Everything I see on there, I want in my wedding. I had to talk myself out of buying ANOTHER engagement photo shoot outfit because while shopping, my creative wheels were turning. On another note, let’s hear it for all the fabulous bitties living paycheck to paycheck! (Do I hear a…cricket?) Is it just me? Well, in that case: let me break it down. I barely make enough to afford gas, food, and a student loan. (Thanks Sallie Mae)
This is where my wonderous post comes in:
What To Expect When Broke:
- Ha. The first thing you have to expect is probably a major cramp in your social life. Sure, I gave up going out every weekend once I graduated from college, but let’s get real, a girl’s got to get her drank on. Right?
- On top of that major cramp in social life, you’ll probably experience some sort of desperate search for coins; quarters, pennies, nickels, dimes OH MY.
- Coffee is a luxury: well, I didn’t give this up..because I’d be a much meaner person if that was taken away.
- You find new and exciting ways to revamp your clothing style: In other words: You can’t buy a new outfit every weekend…sorry, Blair Waldorf.
- Lastly, (and this is just the tip of the iceberg) you will tend to think you have more money than you actually do. I am so guilty of this. I love giving presents, and I really do have to learn that I cannot afford it!
A word from the wise, it’s hard. This is a hard, stupid concept to wrap your head around. It comes with petty fights with loved ones (don’t give in to fighting about money) and a lot of lonely nights while your friends go out without you.
Next post? What do to on a limited budget.
xoxo- Kate
Bargain Warriors
I’ve decided to share my super secret list of fantastic websites that are sure to get you great deals for amazing items!
These are just a few, well-known sites that I use on a regular basis!
Happy bargain hunting!
K
Eating Out is Eating Away at my Bank Account…
Let’s just say I’m convinced I am a lost cause. However, I have been cooking more! And no…not “tomato soup” or heated up V8 juice. Whatever! Pinterest has been a phenomenal help when you are trying to learn how to cook.
My boyfriend still laughs at my attempts, but he says I do have my moments of cooking correctly. Wahoo!Anywho, my biggest vice IS eating out. This is probably due to: (1) Laziness (2) Incompetence (3) None of my friends cook either. Oops on our part? My friends and I are definitely “eclectic” eaters. We enjoy trying different foods and different restaurants. Is that not an excuse?
Basically, my laziness extends to my lack of excitement for packing my own lunch for work as well. This means, I will stop off somewhere before work for breakfast, then leave the office to get something for lunch…and unfortunately, if my parents are working late…I get dinner with a friend. Let’s do that math: Breakfast: $7, Lunch: $8-15 depending on where I go, Dinner: $20 or more.
Look away. I’m blushing and embarrassed. I know I’ve said it before, but I promise I’ll be better!
katemcgate.com 