How to Afford Fashion On a College Student Budget

Your college years can be some of the best when it comes to opportunities to express your individuality and style. When you’re at college, most of the time you won’t be restricted to what you choose to wear for lectures and classes, unless of course you’re studying for a healthcare related degree such as a doctorate in nursing practice online and will be required to wear a uniform for practical sessions and work experience. But, for the most part, college students are presented with the perfect opportunity to explore new looks and put together their own fashion preferences. But, nice outfits don’t always come cheap, and for college students on a tight budget, looking good can be a battle. We’ve listed some innovative ways to save on fashion and new clothes as a college student.

College Swap Shops

One of the best things about being at college is the social life. Even with online education growing in popularity, students who predominantly work from home studying for an online course such as the DNP online from Bradley University will still have the option to socialize and mingle with fellow students, whether that be on-campus or virtually. With a number of students probably in the same situation as yourself when it comes to obtaining new clothes for the cheapest price, arranging events where students meet up to swap their unwanted clothes for others’ can be a fun way of recycling more and a far cheaper alternative to a shopping trip.

Thrift Stores

Thrift stores may have gotten a bit of a bad reputation due to stereotyping, but the truth is, these little stores can often be fashion bargain treasure troves. Although thrift shopping can often be very hit and miss and the items that you find will depend on what’s been donated to the store, spending some time looking around can definitely be worth it, especially if you’re a fan of vintage clothing, which is often found in abundance in many thrift stores. Additionally, shopping at thrift stores is a great way to become more charitable and help great causes, which often use thrift stores as a method of generating funds.

Get Creative

If you have a creative flair and enjoy making things yourself, applying this to your fashion sense can be a great hobby to get into whilst at college. Using fabrics and more to create completely new fashion items from your old, unwanted clothes can not only be a fun way of getting a new outfit, it can also turn into a profitable hobby if you decide to start selling your creations! DIY clothing enhancement is becoming a very popular hobby, therefore those looking to get into this will find no shortage of tutorials, how-to guides and videos, and great ideas for projects online.

Affording fashion at college can often be tricky for students who are on a tight budget. But, by getting creative and using a little bit of innovation, you can fill your wardrobe without spending too much.

Buying Budget Clothes For Kids

It is easy to choose the best clothes for your kids. However, most of them are expensive.

So, either buy expensive clothes and compromise on other necessities or read our tips below.

We have compiled a list that will make it easy for you to buy the best clothes for your kids and at the same time, spend less.

(Photo not mine)

Designer collection

Well, first of all, try to avoid designer clothes because they will add to your expenses. However, if you are planning to buy it for a special occasion (mostly his/her birthday), buy it online so that you can use matching coupons with store sales and get the best deals on them just like the coupons from Nordstrom.

Nordstrom.com offers exclusive deals on designer clothes. Check them out.

Off season purchases

With fresh spring collection around, look for sweaters. End-of-season sales are exciting, and you can be sure that you will get some of the best deals on them. So, look for it. Again, retail and online stores offer clearance sale on their items. Check it out to grab products at a discounted price.

Different clothes

Buying clothes for kids who will spend most of their time playing at the part or the beach; look for cheap quality clothes. Here, you should look for deals where you can get two or three shirts for a price less than $10.

Here, you can satisfy the need with cheap quality clothes because kids while playing, will spoil and tear it. Eventually, it will be thrown away or will be used for some other purpose. So, spend less on play clothes and more on school uniforms and event dresses.

Want 10 – 15% off purchases made at Nordstrom for the latter? You can get many coupons online. Look for suitable coupons and use it accordingly.

Sell old clothes

Old clothes, that do not fit your kids anymore, should be moved out of their closet. Donate it or sell it, but get it out and make space for the new ones.

However, before selling or donating them, buy new clothes for your kids. The money earned from selling these clothes can be used to purchase other necessities for your kids.

There are exciting offers available online. Check them online.

Secondhand

For some people, it is disgusting to buy secondhand clothes for their kids. However, we are not talking about secondhand clothes. We are suggesting that you can buy secondhand toys or books for your kids to save money. For this, you can even look for items put up for sale in garage sales. Garage sales can help you save big. So, think about it.

Note: Before your child starts playing with them, wash it properly. That is a precautionary step that should be taken by you.

Tip: If you are not willing to purchase used toys or books, look for coupons that can be used to get the best offers available online to purchase new toys and books.

What else have you tried to save big while shopping for your kids? Tell us something about it.

Tips for Buying a New Car

Photo credit: news.yahoo.com but I added the text

So, it finally happened. Your ever-trusty car finally quit running, which means that you’re in the market for a new vehicle. Where do you start? Perhaps it’s been so long since you’ve had to buy a new car that you’re completely uncertain about where to even start looking. Fortunately, buying a new (or pre-owned) car isn’t as difficult as it seems. There are a couple of things that you can do that will help make your search go smoothly and without problems. So whether you’re shopping online (where you may encounter a plethora of “Click Here!” ads) or planning on going to your local dealership, here are a few pointers that can help you narrow down your options and choose a vehicle that’s perfectly suited for you.


Dividing the “Must Haves” from Preferences

Although it might be tempting to buy a vehicle that’s outfitted with every gadget available, it’s critical that you divide your “must have” items from preferences. For example, do you need a vehicle that can scoot around three kids? Or do you need a vehicle with a large trunk for the numerous road trips or camping trips that you take? Before even setting foot in the dealership, make a list of what characteristics are absolutely essential and what characteristics are simply preferences. It will help you stay focused as you test-drive a variety of different cars.


Nail Down Your Estimated Budget

Although it might make you cringe thinking about it, it’s essential that you pin down exactly how much you can spend on a new (or previously owned) vehicle before you begin test-driving. Having a firm, set budget in mind will make it easier for you to pass on vehicles that are way out of your price range. Although it’s fun to test-drive a vehicle that you could never afford, it will be much easier to hand the keys back to the dealer if you have a set budget in mind. So whether you’re interested in a family-style SUV or a stylish sports car, these tips can help you find the perfect vehicle for you. Click here to learn more about the different vehicles available to you.

Choosing The Right Stair Railing For Your Home

People who are in the process of constructing their homes are faced with plenty of options to choose for the stair railings. The choice will really depend on the type of the stairs, the kind of materials used and taking consideration the style of the house being built, whether it is a Mediterranean, Country, Contemporary, Minimalist or Grand.

Wood and metal railing (Photo credit: decoist.com)

There are certain factors to take into consideration before plunging into buying mode. Here are some tips to help you choose the right railing for your home.


Budget

This plays a vital role in choosing the right railing for your stairs. Various materials like wood, steel or wrought iron can be bought at lesser costs. If you're thinking of a customized metal design then you will have to add the tube bending services to the price quote. Choose the material wisely depending on the design you want.


Safety

Safety is considered the main concern of all home builders and owners. Be sure to choose a material that is durable and will last a long time considering its safety aspects. It is not advisable to install glass railings for families with kids because of the breakable factor of this component. Metals and steels are the best choice for safer stair railings.


Design that matches your taste

When choosing the perfect stair railing for your home, consider the materials and design that will suit your taste and home style best. Your house's overall interior design may be contemporary so choosing the design and railing that will match it is ideal. It will be a bit off to install wooden balusters to a contemporary design. It just doesn't go well.

Christmas Shopping Budget

Photo credit: yahoo.com

I don't like cramming and most especially, I don't like crowded malls. So, if you're like me, you'll understand why it is always better to shop way in advance like I do.

I start my Christmas budget as early as June. And I do my shopping early too.  Six months of allocated budget for the festive season works well for me because I have a big, extended family. I keep around 50-100$ a month for the occasion or if there's an emergency. Otherwise, it's intended to be shared come Christmas.

Our lists of family, friends, godparents and godchildren to give gifts to are quite long. I am sure it will make a dent in the savings but hey, Christmas is the time to share. And when we have extra to give around, we're happy to buy gifts to the people we love. This Christmas, we have already spent over the intended budget because we're coming home for the holidays. We don't see our family every occasion so we want to give them the best.

How about you? Do you have a Christmas budget? Do you stick to that?

Affordable Gifts This Holiday Season

The holiday season is fast approaching. People are thinking of their family and friends and setting up their budget for the coming holidays. The list-making is not far from the things-to-do of most denizens and the hunt for affordable and yet fun to give like gag gifts is in the offing.

People do not have to be very lavish with their presents. There are numerous ways to show your love, appreciation and care for your family and friends without burning a big hole in your pockets.

The funny folks in your life who have great sense of humor will definitely enjoy gifts that will bring out their fun-loving nature. And for this, you may consider Cafepress' funky, stylish and funny gift ideas. Their gift selections are eclectic and can be given to anyone whether they have flair for style or humor. The gift selections are just remarkable like shirts, baby clothes and bibs, caps, magnets, stickers, mugs, bottles, steins, frames, decals, posters, pet shirts, iPad and iPhone cases, home decors and even undergarments! They carry trinkets too so you can give your nieces or lady female relatives and friends some cute charms or keychains. You name it and they have it in their wide selection of gifts, all in very affordable prizes.

So, gift-giving this holiday season can be fun and yet budget-friendly too. All you have to consider is the time because great prices like Cafepress' items will sell like hot pancakes especially for those bargain-hunters. Take your pick!

House Construction

We are waiting for the proper segregation of the parcel of property my in-law's gave us in Quezon City before we decide on the next step which is scouting for a great architect who will render the vision of our dream home.

Te next step will surely involve a thorough discussion amongst my husband and I because this will involve money matters and it is going to be a big one. It's not a joke to go through a house construction project because all our savings will probably go to that project and then some. We may end up taking a loan with Pag-Ibig fund to finance the project otherwise, we have to wait for sometime until we are ready.

Other things we are considering is the scouting of reliable contractors who will use safe and high-quality materials. They should have materials that are at par with building safety codes and the public municipality. I had to check some internet sites like www.reidsupply.com and other known manufacturers of high-quality equipment and supplies to aid in the construction of our dream home.

This project is the culmination of our dreams and I take this seriously. I will not compromise the design, safety aspect and definitely the durability of the house we have dreamed of and saved for all these years.

When It Rains...

The first quarter of my 2011 was great in terms of finances. Although my budget seem to be very tight, I had enough to go around until the next pay slip. Blogging assignments were left and right. I had direct advertisers contacting me for link-ups, posts and referrals. However, when April came just as the blossoming of spring, the deluge of paid opportunities and other income had suddenly stopped. As if the events of the first quarter never happened.

Makes me think about the adage that "when it rains, it pours." Well, it certainly does in my case.

Money Down The Drain

It is amazing how fast our salaries get depleted here. We regularly receive our salaries via bank credit every end of the month. Unlike in the Philippines, the salary there is split in two, one during the 2nd week and the other on the last week of the month. It is quite a feat to budget one's salary here because we get it in lump sum and the bills to pay are the first to get a piece of the pie.

That is the reason why a lot of expatriates here are swimming, if not drowning, in debts. They have difficulty budgeting and keeping the finances in a tight loop. It is like being an instant millionaire only to squander what you have earnestly worked hard for in a single day.

A lot of expatriates are always seeking for cash advance payday loan from their companies or independent financial institutions to meet due dates on credit card bills and other expenditures which are mostly unnecessary. It is so easy to let money down the drain in this place.

Managing Credit and Finance during Recession

People are smarter now when it comes to managing finances and credit. Ever since the global economy took a nose dive last year, people have learned to appreciate the value of money. Many who fell into a big credit sink hole are now seeking personal finance help to put them back on track. A lot of people are now watching what they buy with their hard-earned money. Many credit card users are also taking into consideration the finance charges they will incur if they do not pay their credit on time.

People are not wary of all these before the advent of recession. A household will generate expenses relentlessly because of the assurance of getting monthly salaries to compensate the flow of cash. Many are not mindful of their credit score range because the market was not strict in lending money to borrowers. Money just flowed easily. That was what everyone believed until the great market plunge. Due to the economic downturn, people learned to save and live within their means. Budgeting has become the by-word of every household in the world. Cutting back on the usage of credit cards is one of the top means to save money. People have learned to be smart with their existing mortgage by either selling their properties or applying for a new re-mortgage scheme being offered by banks to lower the interest rate and keep them afloat.

All of these economic uncertainties have taught every one a lesson in handling one's finance and credit. People are now informed and will be better prepared in case of another major recession.

Cash or Credit?

I have not been using a credit card for my shopping needs. I used to use my credit cards for travel and other leisure purpose purchases. However, the recession has brought a grim realization when it comes to budgeting and keeping our cash flow to the minimum. For one, we had to cut back on our travels and hotel bookings. I had to set a limited budget for a month to maintain. I stopped shopping for no reason. Now, I am a wiser money-holder than I was when money used to flow like a river. I know better now.

Earn Extra from Home

My friend and I have been wracking our heads thinking of a good opportunity where we can earn extra income from home. We have a very nice office timing to allow us to spend time at home for a viable business to augment our income. This recession has really brought the best in us in terms of sticking to stringent budget, fewer money to spend on unnecessary things and wiser investments.

My handmade cards have given me extra income on the side but a steady flow of cash from another activity may just do the trick. Any suggestions?

Of Earthly Things

Times are hard and the security of jobs and finances are even harder. I think most of us are affected by this global recession. Sometimes I regret my "seemingly" incurable obsession to shop for no reason. I kept telling myself then that I worked hard for that money I have spent and I deserve a little treat. That line is too cliché now because money does not flow as easy as it used to be. I begin to re-think my priorities and have come to a conclusion that money does not grow on trees nor it will come from the sky. I just have to spend according to my "needs" and not "wants" when most of the time, these wants are just frivolous things to satisfy my whims.

Who ever said "You are rich when you never need more than you have" is absolutely right.

Year-end Cleaning

2008 is almost drawing to an end with few days left in the 12th month of the year. I have been figuring out how to welcome my 2009 with a fresh new start, less the hassles, lesser the stress, more eco-friendly practices, tighter budget and perhaps a cleaner house!

I have just done my autumn cleaning by sending my daughter's toys back home and I guess I will be doing another round of cleaning and this time it's my year-end cleaning. However, my vacuum cleaner is not as helpful as it used to with its worn out filter, bags, and rollers. EZ Vacuum might just do the trick for me with their 10% discount on vacuum cleaners bags belts filters brushrolls machines. Imagine the cost of buying a new vacuum cleaner compared to just replacing the parts; I will be spending more if I buy a new one. As the budget gets tighter and the money becomes scarce, I will definitely need a value-for-money vacuum cleaning parts, filters and bags without having to dispose the current equipment I have since it is still usable. This code EZVAC10 will give you the 10% off from vacuum cleaners to vacuum parts, filters, bags and even more and is applicable to purchases above $20. EZ Vacuum will also ship your order via UPS.

Winter cleaning, here I come!

Budget Holiday Decorating

Times are hard these days. Even ordinary looking Christmas ornaments can cost a fortune now. Here are simple tips to get you through the decorating mood of the season while not having to burn your pockets.

Tip 1:

Don't throw out those old Christmas baubles. Instead, revamp their look by adding beads or glitters or cute ribbons (those excess from last year's gifts!!!). That should do the trick! Your baubles will look new and gleaming!

Tip 2:

Old socks? Loose garters on those not-so-old socks? Holes maybe? Well, give your socks a second lease in life by using them as Christmas stockings. If you don't have colorful socks to spare, just dye them in Christmas hues of green, red and yellow. If you feel like being girly or boyish, a deep shade of pink or blue will also do. I have old socks here which I converted to stockings. I stitched some scrap textiles I got from old rags that I am about to throw. Now I have a very economical Christmas stockings to be filled with "love."

Tip 3:

Decorate your table with a great centerpiece which will not cost you a cent! Well, this you can only do if you have spare Christmas ornaments you don't feel like putting up on the tree. In my case, I used my spare baubles which I redecorated to look like new, glistening baubles. I placed them on a colored bowl and viola! My very own Christmas mantle decoration. Here is another option, if you live near evergreens or coniferous areas, maybe you can pick up some of those pine cones. Put some glitters or sequins on some of their tips and put them on a colored bowl instead of the baubles. That's another option. Living here in the Middle East does not give me that option to use so I would stick on my old Christmas baubles.

Tip 4:

Going back to ribbons. Use them as additional decors to your Christmas tree. Red and bright greens will be perfect but any other color will be just fine.

Tip 5:

This will require a printer connection and a pc. Download some cute Christmas cartoon pictures and stick them on nice, used card boards. Ask the help of the little elves (in our case, our children) to cut-out the cartoons. Make sure your kids are old enough to handle scissors. Now, punch a hole and put some colorful thread or yarn and put on your Christmas tree or just hang on a clothes line and put little clips on them as Christmas cartoon swags.

Those are just few of the many other ways we can decorate during the holidays in a strict budget. If you have more tips to share, please feel free to leave a comment so everyone can enjoy the Holiday without having to feel guilty by spending on unnecessary things.

Enjoy! Let those creative juice flow.