When to Pay Full Price Tag

I don't often advocate paying full price for something, because I'm a budget girl. Sale-hunting is a sport to me - I pride myself in finding deals on quality clothing for a great price.

HOWEVER, there are times when a budget girl should pay full price. Most of the time when we pay full price, we'll justify it by the number of times we think we'll wear something. Which is exactly what I do when I buy White House Black Market clothing.

I was a loyal WHBM shopper before and after I was employed by the store years ago. If you know anything about what some call "the white and black store," you know they aren't for everyone's budget. Don't get me wrong, when they have a sale you can get some amazing deals but it's not always available to me at full sticker.

More than 6 years ago, I bought my favorite pair of white pants I've ever owned from WHBM. I bought them fresh off the rack, at the time for about $60, and I've worn them so much it's probably equated to $0.10 per wear by now.

If there's one thing you need to know about me, it's that I'm not a girl who can wear white without spilling something on it (God help me as a bride). Now you may be wondering why the HELL I would buy white pants, and part of the reason is because I didn't know this fact until after I bought the pants.

And I may horrify some of you after I tell you all the things I've spilled on these pants, but here it goes: coffee, mustard, soy sauce, marinara, chocolate ice cream, black dust from my car, and probably even more that my memory won't allow me to dredge up at the moment.

Recently one more stain has been added to the list, and I'm pretty sure it's red dye. You'd think from this list my pants should look like a veritable rorschach of white clothing enemies. Surprised to say, those pants are still just as white and pristine as the first day I plucked them off the rack. And here's my proof...

One morning this week, I picked up my white pants in anticipation of putting them on immediately. Instead, I was immediately horrified by an offensive, bright red stain that ran down almost the entire back right leg of the pants.

My pants before, and yes, it was as bad as it looks.

You would think that by looking at them, I should just immediately throw them in the garbage. Never! So I slapped some OxyClean gel stick on, washed them, and prayed. It didn't take one wash, it took about half a dozen plus 3/4 of a stick of OxyClean Max Force, but they look brand-spanking-new again!

My pants after - amazing, right?!

If my horrifying pant story can be a lesson for anything it's to say that paying full price for amazing quality will save you more than you know.

The Worst Day for a Shoe Addict

I'll be the first to admit it, I have a "thing" for shoes.

Sometimes, there's nothing better than opening a crsip, new box to find a pristine pair of patent platforms grinning back at you. The first time you slip on those form-fitting beauties is intoxicating - it's as though this is the first shoe your foot's ever felt! You're immediately high on life, and promptly begin running through your mind all the outfits you'll wear with your new friends.  

If you know how wonderful the "new shoe" feeling is, then you'll be with me when I talk about the saddest day in a shoe addict's life - the day you lay a pair to rest. 

We all know shoes don't last forever! From the first day you slip on a new pair, their days are numbered. Your only hope is that you can get in all the wears you can before that day comes. I recently had a day when I not only had to lay one pair to rest, but THREE additional pairs. Not just any pairs at that, some of my most dependable shoes!

As I tearfully laid my reliable black pumps and grey suede booties into their final resting place, I realized the fate of my other two damaged pairs may not be the same. In one hand I had my leopard Guess pumps, in the other I held my fuchsia flower sandals and I thought how much I really didn't want to let either of them go. Then I had the perfect solution - I'll take them to the shoe repair store!

At the time, I didn't care what repairing them would cost, I just knew I wasn't ready to let them go. So I took both pairs to my nearest shoe doctor, and waited patiently for 2 days to pick them up. After a heel repair and double sole replacement they were looking new again! I was thrilled to be able to take them back to their home, that was until the nice shoe doctor asked for payment.

I reluctantly forked over the $50 he asked for while thinking I really should've made a pro/con list before I decided to bring these shoes back from the dead. After I got over the sticker shock of having my shoes fixed, I realized this is a learning lesson.

If I hadn't gotten these repaired, I would've ended up buying 4 new pairs of shoes to replace the holes in my closet, which would cost far beyond $50. Even by spending $50 to keep these two alive, I still saved myself an additional $50+ by not immediately buying new shoes. As an added bonus, I get to hang on to some of my most beloved shoes just a little longer.

All in all, when faced with the sad instance of having to make the decision to pull the plug on your favorite kicks, give them one more look - they might surprise you.

The Budget Girl's Dilemma

I love finding deals on all things fashion - it's what I do. Now I'm realizing that I may be taking deal hunting too far.

Betsey Johnson is one of my favorite designers, and I especially love her jewelry. Well, about a month ago I found this really versatile evil eye stretch bracelet.

I immediately fell in love with the bracelet! At the time, it was everywhere and for varying prices. So, naturally, I decided to wait on it since it was so available. As time went by, it slowly began to sell out. Then there came a point where I could only find it on Karma Loop for about $30. I waited longer because I thought it might go on sale.

Boy, was I wrong. Now that I'm finally ready to buy it, it's sold out on Karma Loop and the only place I can find it is on eBay for more than twice the KL price ($80). The upside is that the seller is taking the highest offer on the bracelet, so I don't exactly have to pay $80 if I don't want to. However, at this point, I know I'll be paying more than $30 - I can just feel it.

This brings me to probably the biggest dilemma facing the budget fashionista.

We are forever the deal hunters, and most times don't want to pay full price tag for something we know will be cheaper later. It's exactly what had me waiting so long to buy the bracelet, but now I'm stuck and bracelet-less.

To overcome this dilemma, you just have to know when to pull the trigger and that point is different for everyone. I knew I should have bought the bracelet two weeks ago, at least, but I foolishly waited...and waited. As a bargain hunter, you just have to know an item's price floor. You don't have to wait for it to be a crazy deal (like 80% off), but you do have to know when you're getting the best one. It's especially important to know the price floor for a hot item like this one which sold out fairly quickly.

Lesson learned: Do NOT wait to buy something you know you want when you find it for a great price in only one place.