sweater weather for the girl on a budget

It's back to school season , well very much into the second week of school and soon the leaves will be falling to the ground like a freshman in heels after one too many cups of jungle juice. Please do yourself a favor and put away the credit card, tuck it back into that nice little slit in your wallet and take a minute to think things through. It's 93 degree in New Brunswick today and I'm wearing a black romper with a ridiculous amount on ventilation because its just too damn hot.

Sweater weather is not only a fantastic song by The Neighbourhood (please take a listen below) but is fast approaching and September is just flying by. Don't get me wrong, the day that I can put on my cashmere TOMS is the day I'll feel whole again, but that day is weeks away.The first day the temperature drops below 60 degree everyone is going to run to the nearest mall and bulk up on fall clothes. But before you do that please follow steps 1-3.

1. Create a junk email account strictly for coupons and sale notifications.

This is important because then you're up to date on all of the current promotions and sales of the upcoming weekend without clogging up your real email. Working in retail has taught me just how tricky stores can be. Sometimes they'll run a "secret sale", that means they don't promote it in stores or online but customers will be sent a coupon code via email/mail. DON'T PAY FULL PRICE, DON'T BE A FOOL.

Um sample sales are also a real part of staying on a budget, too real to forget. So get on that sample sale grind immediately.

Thrift store shopping? YES.

Also, free shipping codes for those lazy Sundays when all you want to do is stay in jams and online shop, da best.

2. Look through last years fall/winter clothes and try all of them on.

It's so important to keep a tight inventory of your closet. You should know the colors you have verses the colors you want to have. What materials you like and which ones you don't. Also prints, you don't need 7 fair isle sweaters because after January you're done, fair isle after January is a no-no.

Another big part of looking through your closet is brands. Sure Forever 21 has great clothes for a tight budget but how much wear can you possibly get out of a $19 cotton sweater? not much. Decide which brands are worth investing in. Two great pairs of pants are way better than 5 weird fitting cheap pairs, we all know camel toe can kill a great outfit because we've all been there.

Try on your clothes and figure out whats the most flattering on you. What do you love about that flannel and why is it your favorite? Maybe invest in another one, yeah it may set you $40-$55 back, but if you love it and wear it, then its worth it. 

TIP: once you're done playing dress up like a 5 year old, organize your closet like an adult. you'll feel so accomplished. 

3. Make a game plan.

Figure out what you need and what you want. Don't go crazy on weird trends that are going to fizzle out by next season, that's why stores like Forever 21 and h&m exist, for cheap clothes on trend. If you love Free People figure out when their next sale is and stalk their website until you know how much you want to spend and what you can afford. ALSO Free People is carried in both Lord and Taylor and Nordstrom, two huge department stores that love to throw a good sale.

What mall/shopping center are you going to? Turn into a coupon lady and get them ready, one store after another, coupon after coupon. DO NOT however fall for the extra 10% off when you open a credit card. Abort and get the hell out of there. 10% off is so small when you think about how much debt you're going to accumulate in the coming months. Do you need a wonder bra from Victoria's Secret in EVERY color, yes probably, but just don't.

I went to Urban Outfitters last week and bought 6 tops for $70. How? By being overly and obnoxiously prepared, I even got a high five from the cashier. KILLED IT.