Every once in awhile a girl has to indulge herself.
- Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker)
I budget everyday.
The secret? Indulge in accessories. Be frugal in everything else.
For the past year you’ve seen my frugal side. I’ve also admitted it doesn’t come naturally. It never has and probably never will. I’m OK with that. Despite being a fancy girl, we’ve managed to get out of debt, not use credit cards and abundantly provide for our children.
Amen.
I was at a blogging conference a couple weeks ago and the Chief Marketing Officer of eBates stopped me. She asked if I was one of the stylists working at Microsoft’s Window Style booth.
Who? Me!
Granted, I was wearing a Louis Vuitton scarf on my head.
We got to talking, very sweet woman by the way, and after handing her my business card, she said she would never have taken me for a frugal blogger.
I’m not sure what a frugal blogger is supposed to look like, but apparently it’s not me.
All this to say, if you are like me: love fashion and bling (see pic of my latest score above) spend on accessories, not clothing.
The rest of my outfit that day: Kmart flare jeans $9, Charlotte Russe hot pink short blazer $20, beige tshirt Forever 21 $5.
Why accessories?
- You get more wear out of them. Can be used everyday if you want!
- What gets noticed on a cake? Not the frosting, the decorations. Same with fashion.
- If you ever watch a fashion show, models rarely wear accessories, because it would be a distraction from the outfit.
- Shoes
- Jewelry
- Watches
- Scarves
- Purses
- Anything that’s on you, that’s not clothing!
The Secret to Living Fancy on a Budget: And Yes I Own
#louisvuitton! thefrugalette.com/2012/08/the-se… via@thefrugalette— Isra(@thefrugalette) August 20, 2012
Hi! I'm Isra, aka The Frugalette. I took my family from fancy to frugal in 3 years, with 3 kids and 1 income, oh and found the meaning of life too! To read more about my fancy life gone frugal, 
You are so right about accessories being a better splurge – they also don't have the same wear and tear issues that clothing does…
Good point, clothes go through washing/drying/sweat, no matter how high end, it will start to wear down fast.
I agree with a treat yourself – I recently bough myself a Coach bag at the outlet store – I did feel guilty afterwards but my husband asked me why I didn't buy a bigger bag – I didn't want to spend the money.
My husband pushes me also to treat myself..it's a learning process, especially after you spend so much on everyone else in the family.
Love this tip! You definitely have style and I always notice your accessories! You were dressed fabulously in New York and I would never have guessed you were dressed so cheap! I need lessons!
Thanks Mariah! Oh yes, my style is all low-end budget clothing with high end accessories!
I am not a fashion person but I do love accessories!
Accessorize, Accessorize, Accessorize!
I actually use a Coach purse that I got for FREE! My mother-in-law actually had it just sitting in her closet–never been used. She had gotten in on sale online, I think. She buys a lot of things at a bargain and tucks them away.
Nothing like some good accessorizes. Great tips!!
Wow, I never really thought about that. What a fun way to do it!
I'll have to splurge a bit more on those extras. 
Amen! I love my shoes and purses – I can be frugal on everything else!
See, one way I've always been frugal is in "not buying accessories." Within the last 2 years I've become obsessed with them, particularly necklaces. I still don't think I can pull off a scarf, someone needs to show me how to work one of those…
And, the other part I will never go wrong on is comfort when it comes to shoes. ;0
Yes comfort is key! I've become pretty crazy about necklaces myself. My clothes are very low budget though to offset my accessory purchases.
Wow, I guess I never would have thought about splurging on accessories! I feel like I can learn a whole lot from you.
And I know there is a whole lot I'd like to pick your brain about!
Such great tips thank you!
As long as I keep buying my clothes at forever 21 maybe I can get that louis vuitton bag or louboutin shoes someday!
Hahaha, thanks Krystle! It does take time to save up, no doubt..but it's worth it!