The one physical product all of us need and use is clothing. From cradle to grave, buying clothing is one of the routines in our life. So, the ability to buy qualityclothing at the lowest prices is a good skill to have - if you like saving money.
Secret: Clothing manufacturers and retailers invest hundreds of millions of dollars a year to get you to buy new clothing every year.
Shopping for clothes can be a fun and exhilarating experience. But not when you find yourself buying overpriced clothes that go out of style months or weeks after buying it. (Ouch!)
The colorful displays, soothing background music and slick marketing are tools retailers use with expertise. Plus they use the same tools to keep you in the store. Because the longer you stay the more they know you're more likely to spend.
Sooner or later you're going to have to buy more clothes. So, you'd better learn how to buy wisely or your money and your credit cards won't stand a chance.
Here is the latest tips to saving money on quality clothing without losing your shirt.
1. For clothing items you plan to wear often, buy the best quality you can afford. It's the best value in the long run, because you'll get longer wear and it holds up better over time. Plus you'll feel good wearing it.
2. Longer lasting garments usually come reinforced at stress points. Stitches should be small and seems should be even, not puckered.
3. To judge the quality of silk, do the pinch test. Pinch the silk in your hand, when you let go there should be no wrinkles. The fewer the wrinkles, the better the quality.
4. Avoid buying clothes on impulse. Planning your purchases ahead will save you money. Doing this forces you to think about your purchases logically rather than emotionally. Emotional purchases waste more money than most people imagine.
5. Five golden words that could save you hundreds of dollars this year. Before trying something on ask yourself "Do I Really Need This? And listen to your answer.
6. Can you get along without that item of clothing until a sales comes at the end of the season? If you can you can often save 40% - 80%.
7. Search your newspapers for sales, close-outs and bargains. Especially after holidays and three day week-ends.
8. Stop by the bargain racks, bins and tables when you're in a store, you may find something special.
9. The best time to buy men's suits is in February, April, November and the first week in December.
10. The best time to buy children's clothes is the first week in October after the back to school specials are over.
11. The best time to buy summer wear is mid-August.
12. The best times to buy clothes in general is after the Christmas holidays and after Easter.
13. Avoid buying clothes that force you to buy other accessories to go with them.
14. Avoid shopping when you're depressed. If you must shop, go to thrift stores and leave your credit cards home.
15. The best time to bargain shop is when you're well rested and your energy level is high.
16. The best way to cut your clothing dollar is to know how to clean and store them properly. When you take care of your clothes, you save money by making them last longer and avoid having to replace them.
17. Try to use a dry cleaner who is a member of the
"http://www.ifi.org/consumer/index.html". This organization keep's it's members informed on the latest fabric research and cleaning techniques.
18. Your shoes will last longer if you give them at least one day's rest between wearing.
19. Learn the secrets of removing over 50 stains from clothing at
http://www.fabriclink.com/
20. To keep those keep those pearly white tennis shoes at their whitest longer, spray them with starch.
21. Take the time to donate some of your good clothes to charity.If you take the time to apply some of the 21 suggestions here you'll find more deals, bargains and money in your wallet.
For some unknown reason quality clothes feel and wear better when you pay the lowest price for them. Try it and see.
