By Lynesha McElveen
As a young woman, I have always liked and wanted nice things. Clothing has been my vice and I have worked hard at finding cheap, chic outfits for the low, low for a long time. During my shopping sprees, I have found everything from vintage Chanel to brand new Ralph Lauren. One of my greatest finds was a $5000 Derek Lam purse for $150 (after talking the sales woman down from $185). The thing I like most about finding these frugal finds is the thrill. I love finding the same items as my dear friends and paying 50%-95% less. It is wonderful to see the envy in their eyes while I look great, all while still having money in the bank! So you may want to know, how do I find deals like this? One of the first places to look for discounts is through local consignments shops.
You can find consignment shops by looking online, through the local phone book, or even asking retailers and boutiques if/where they donate items to consign. Most importantly, remember EVERYTHING is negotiable! Be ready to negotiate for the price you want and be sure to ask the store about consigning and trading some of your own unwanted items.
Remember Ballin’ on a Budget doesn’t just mean spending what you want, but it also means having money left in the bank! Since resigning myself to a life of Ballin’ on a Budget, I have committed to finding all these delicious deals after first saving, investing, and giving 25% of my income and paying my bills. To make matters even better, if I budget for an item, and I find it at an even better price, I save the difference verses buying 3-4 of that item. This is especially a challenge with shoes, since I love them most!
I have made sure to create savings goals for larger purchases and plan for those purchases. Planning for purchases requires discipline and delayed gratifications, but I always say, “You must be willing to make short term sacrifices for long term rewards.” Some of the goals I have planned for included traveling toDubai and purchasing a Jaguar. Because I planned for my vehicle, saved money for a cash down payment, and had good credit, I was able to negotiate a price point that allowed me to pay under $300/month. This amount was only $7 more than I paid for my 1999 Mazda Protégé.
I’m telling you, “Ballin on a Budget” is the key to having everything you want, and everything you need! Try it….You might like it! Good luck and continue the hunt for your Frugal Finds!
