The financial crisis is no fun, obviously, but below are a bunch of frugal fab ideas.
FASHION:
Clean out your grandma’s closet for vintage gems , and then clean out your own closet to make room for them. Also make piles of stuff that would be great if only it was a different color, was slightly shorter, or had different buttons. Remember that RIT Dye is the best way to transform your dingy grayish tees into something chic in the color-of-the-moment. Add some beads, ribbon, or appliqué for even more chic-ness. Have a party with your friends to transform a bunch of your old stuff- the hostess provides the dye and the washer-dryer, and each person brings a dish and stuff to decorate with: needle and thread, sewing machine, cool fabric, beads, bedazzler, badges, silkscreening machine, etc. Change the button on last year’s cardis and coats… make sure to keep the old ones for when fashion changes again!
Re: Accessories: Handbags from Target or from another cheapo store- honestly, many of them are so cute, I get more compliments on these than on my designer buys- which go out of style so fast… which leads me to the next tip: No logos, ever. Unless it’s tiny little interlocking C’s or G’s on your sunglasses. The more logo-ey, the faster it goes out of style. Also check out flea markets for faux jewelry and cute belts that will transform your look in a second.
ROOM:
Frequent a home consignment store for fabu-less furniture you can transform with a can of paint. Hire a friend (paid with food, favors, or pedis!) to be your interior decorator and have a painting party to get the work done. Rip pages from magazines or print from the ‘puter and create amazing collages and wall art that you can frame in a cheap frame from IKEA or said consignment store.
BEAUTY:
Drugstore beauty products- seriously, y’all, many of them are just as good as the expensive stuff.
DIY Pedis… with a group of your girls, just as fun as going to the salon, especially if you bribe your friends into a foot massage. You can make a cheap foot scrub too out of salt, sugar, and olive oil.
Your makeup can multi-task- you don’t need to buy every new thing that comes out. Mix colors and textures, and you can probably recreate a multitude of hair and makeup products out of stuff you already have.
Buying a powerful hairdryer with built-in brush will save you a fortune on blowouts.
FUN:
Gourmet teas brewed at home instead of Starbucks- it’s so English- cool, and who needs that much caffeine anyway? After two cups, you’ll have saved enough money to buy luxury jam and scones, too.
Check out online editions of the mags you love to read- and check out blogs and other fun sites too.
Take a class at your local recreation center. They’re usually cheap and lots of fun.
Join the local library… free books, music, and quirky people-watching to boot- what’s not to like?
If you want to start a new hobby, like painting, guitar, surfing, or photography, why not try it out using a friend’s equipment? That way, if you decide it’s not for you, you won’t regret it financially.
Instead of heading to the theater, why not host a movie night: for the cost of 5 movie tix, plus concessions, you could have drinks that aren’t watered down, comfy seats in a room where the floor isn’t sticky, and truffle salt popcorn. You can even make a gourmet pizza and still come out ahead.
Go for a hike instead of hanging out at the mall- zero temptation to spend, and exercise as a bonus!
Instead of hanging out and gossiping with your friends, why not do something constructive with them? Start your own company, collaborate on a blog, or volunteer together. You may even make money, or earn valuable karma points.
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