Life on a shoestring is challenging, engaging, and creative.Why not make it fun? lfyou like to explore and have plenty of decorating sav’ you’ll opt for the bargain table, tag sale, or thrift store first. Keep these tips in mind:
Always ask if you can have slightly damaged goods at an additional discount. You can paint, repair or hide the flaw in a creative way.
Get an artsy one-of-a-kind look by determining to see everything with new eyes. When shopping for clothes at tag sales or thrift stores, look for items that can be cut apart and sewn together in creative ways.
Go for the thrill of a treasure hunt. Give up preconceived ideas of what you’re looking for Stop at what grabs you: color texture, style, fabric pattern, odd buttons, weathered leathers. Sort through lots of trash to find a jewel—and that’s what makes it fun. I found a gorgeous jewel-toned Chinese coat two sizes too small. It became a snazzy bedroom wall hanging.
Remember last year’s trends become tomorrow’s children’s costumes with a little trim or alteration and imagination. Last decade’s trends can become tomorrow’s stylin’ clothes for teenagers too.
Keep your eyes peeled for unusual de’cor possibilities: Mounted deer antlers can be used as a hat rack, worn-out boots make cute planters on the back porch, leather from jackets makes household accessories (throw pillows, book covers, picture frames), sweaters can be sewn into patchwork throws. Make a paradigm shift in your mind. After all, splurging while shopping, like splurging while eating, is all in the mind. If you enjoy shopping in nice stores or even discount stores but have no budget for regular escapades out and about, you don’t have to go cold turkey. I know of people who go to the mall, buy a few great things, then return them the following week. But I say why waste time in the customer service line? I enjoy haunting favorite shops like Pier One or even Ross, imagining I have a certain amount of money to spend. I pick out only things I love and put them in my basket, imagining where I’ll place them and how I’ll use them.At the end of an hour, I’ve had a great time. Then I go around and put them all back. Sound weird? Maybe, but it works in satisfying that shopping drive. It’s a great feeling to go home, having had all the fun of a shopping goddess, but spending absolutely nothing.The next day I almost always realize I really didn’t need any of those things. If I can’t stop thinking about one item or another I go back and buy it (A week later I usually realize I didn’t need that either!)

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