Helloo fellow fashionistas! It's been a great day in sunny Florida, it is actually pretty cold too, isn't that something? But of course the best thing about today is that...it's Paycheck Friday! 

I don't know about you, but I basically live paycheck to paycheck for two weeks at a time. Businesses are cutting shifts and it's hard make the cash we used to. So...when I got that check today...all I thought about was how I was gonna blow that money...sad thought I know. Although, I have found a way to refrain my instintanious shopping craves. 

But cmonn.... I know i'm not the only person who has this problem. I have been withdrawn four times from my bank account... And might you ask why? Because of tempting to shop! Its is soo addicting. I bet many of you feel this way. Especially when the style changes so much, and you want buy this printed scarf, this certain kind of skirt, a new bag, the possibilties are endless!  

Now I might be a portential shopaholic, but I have learned a new technique to stop this temptation. I am getting better and better every time I step into a store. The gyst of shopping is when you're on a tight budget, you have to buy what you need, not what you always want. (okay I am sounding hypocritical with the $150 Bee Dress...buttt sometimes its okay to splurge on things you will wear endlessly.)

So ladies, here are some tips for you that will make you think the next time you pick up that scarf that you already have a million colors in...

-Impulse is a deadly sin.
I'm not kidding about this. Impulse buying happens constantly. I have been very good lately about trashing my impulse thoughts and thinking practical. So girls, do not buy something unless you think it through. These are a few questions I ask myself before I buy an item:

*Do I already have this in a different color?
*Do I have anything to wear with this?
*Will I wear it often, or just for one night?
*Do I really need this?
*Do I absolutely adore it, or could I live without it?
*Will I really wear it, or am I just in a bad mood, PMSing, or filling a certain void?

-Buy the basics, then build your wardrobe from there and onn to skys the limit!

(Essential pieces like a nice high waisted skirt, 1 pair of skinnies, 1 boot cut, 1 wide legged, nice boots, a warm coat, 3 good scarves, are examples of basics. Also, nice tanks in different colors to wear with everything. After you have these things, you can build around the foundation. Fashion is like making a neverending project. Do it your way, but end it with accessories that you actually love.

Even though we don't want to admit it, but needing and wanting are two different things. Needing is picking out jeans for the fall or buying a new peacoat or new suede boots. Wanting is buying endless counts of shirts, jewlery, makeup, and things that you will probably never wear. It is proven that if you take your time seeing the real image of an item you can enjoy your clothes more and still have some money in the bank :)

One more technique I use to stop impulse buying and spending my whole paycheck:

-Make a list of things you need.
For instance, if you desperately need a bag or new jeans, buy one and save the other for the next paycheck. Everytime you see something that you need, (to complete an outfit maybe?) write it down. Patience is the key. Budgeting is not having everything at once. You can splurge and make yourself delighted to fill that void, but pleasee I'm just begging you, don't buy 5 bags in one week :P

Lovess.
Kath :)