How To Look Your Best For Less and Pay It Forward - youramericanmoney
Author: Michelle
Description: * In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Affiliate links will have an asterisk (*) next to them. Please read my disclosure here.* For those of you who know me, […]
Date: 2015-11-27T20:00:00+00:00

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# How To Look Your Best For Less and Pay It Forward

posted on 27 November, 2015

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##### * In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Affiliate links will have an asterisk (*) next to them. Please read my disclosure here.*

For those of you who know me, you know that I love fashion. In fact, it should not be a surprise that I called my blog The Shop My Closet Project LOL! Now let’s be clear, I’m no longer excited about shopping just to shop. I’m over emotional shopping and shopping because you’re bored isn’t any good either. Once you’ve got a handle on all of these behaviors or habits you’re now ready to embrace a couple of habits and places that will help you look and feel your best when you step outside your door.

## Shop Your Closet

You may already have some great clothes in your home already. Take time to shop your closet. Look at your favorite magazine, celebrity, or fashion Instagram feed for ideas. Make what you already have in your home fresh. Re-think the colors that you would normally combine together, the jewelry that you have, or even the materials that you would normally combine. Take some risks, if it doesn’t work-at least you tried!

I would also encourage you to do a No Shopping Challenge for at least 30 Days. You will be amazed at how creative you become with what you have and how quickly it happens. I did a year long No Shopping Challenge from 2013-2014 and was amazed to find out that people really don’t care about what you’re wearing. I’m serious. My friends and family would compliment the same items over and over again not realizing that I had changed how I was wearing that item. Or, I was actually wearing things that had languished in the back of my closet for the past year. Once you stop shopping you pull that stuff out really quickly.

# thredUP*–My Favorite Online Thrift Store

I’m mildly obsessed with ThredUp which is amazing to me because I used to hate the idea of thrift when I was younger. I didn’t like it because that was one of the main ways my mom and I got our clothing. Never mind that the clothes were of fantastic quality and on-trend. I just couldn’t get passed the idea that I couldn’t really afford new clothing. So, I got my first job in high school and would splurge on the clothing that I wanted. I didn’t save, I didn’t really try to rock any bargains, and I really wish I understood why my mom was so thrifty. Parents, don’t try to shelter your kids from this conversation. Involve them so that they understand the why of what you’re doing.

## Things Have Changed

I absolutely LOVE thrift stores, and thrift shopping. I actually don’t shop that often anymore and have spent around $500-$600 for clothes this year. That includes items picked up at thrift stores in Melbourne and Sydney when I was visiting Australia.

Let’s be clear-you have to replace your clothes. They wear out! This year I’ve had clothes: rip, zippers break (will get those fixed) holes appear in pants, or dropped stuff on shirts and stained them in such a way that I can’t get the stain out. I’m also an adult. I don’t want to go around all the time looking so casual that people can’t take me seriously. I’m also trying to date and want to feel that I’m looking my best when I step outside the door.

BUT, I don’t want to go broke shopping, in fact, I want to spend as little money as possible on clothes, umm, basically I want to spend no money on clothes anymore. Keeping it real! Fortunately, ThredUp has been helping me with my quest to zero dollars spent on clothes for 2016. If you’re needing to pick up some fabulous “new to you” items use the following link to get $10 dollars towards your next purchase.

My order arrives.
Love the packaging.
My Prabal Gurung for Target Dress-I wanted it when it originally was released. Glad I waited!
Love the details.
New Coach Bag
Closet Cleanout Bag

## Here is How I Want You To Rock Free Clothing Too!

I currently am an avid (read-obsessed) fan of thredUP* and started out telling everyone about it by just sharing my affiliate link to get shopping credit. Then I realized that I needed to share that you too can become an affiliate!

## How?

Click on the Account tab at the top left hand corner of your ThredUp page. You will see “Referrals and Invitations” that is where your referral link is located. Share your link with friends and family who have: expressed that they would like to save money, are already fans of thrift shopping, have kids and need to save on their kids’ clothes, or are into saving the planet’s resources (am serious).

It will take a little while for the referrals to come in but when they do you’ll be so excited! Who doesn’t need an extra $20, $40, or more towards their clothing budget?

## $100

Is the amount that I earned in November while I traveled and visited family. I did not send reminder emails (which is an option) I don’t think I really talked about ThredUp on my blog this month and I only shared it once on my Facebook page. I did spend $18 to pay for the rest of an order that I just made. But, I don’t think $18 is that bad considering that I just ordered the following:

- Date night heels-didn’t have a saucy pair of heels!

- Puma walking around sneakers-I don’t like to wear regular tennis shoes for walking around. I like cute walking sneakers (very European of me)

- Ballet Flats-black, very classy

- Zebra stripped flats

I also ordered (for free) this month the following:

- Tall black boots

- Wedges

- Rock and Republic Jeans

- A dress for summer or the beach

- Express scarf-am using that a lot

- A leather belt-first new belt in 3 years.

All items are fashionable and “on-trend.” I should also mention that as items come in, items have to GO OUT.

## Embracing Minimalism

In order to make sure that I only have nice things in my home and that clutter doesn’t take over I order “Clean out” kits from ThredUp. It’s basically a very cute white polka dotted bag with a pre-paid shipping label already on it. That label is specific to you and all you have to do is clean out your closet with NICE items that are gently used and drop off the bag at your nearest FedEx. My current clean out bag is pending and should be processed by next week (can take up to a month). I will either receive a credit towards my next shop, that I can also opt to payout via Paypal, or it’s possible that some items will be passed up and I’ve opted to have those donated if that’s the case.

Looking my best always helps me feel my best. I also love that I am spending very, very little money on clothing and being friendly to the earth at the same time. Hope this works for you and helps you save money. Again, it will take a little while for the affiliate money to come in-but when it does you’ll be SO HAPPY!
The scarf in the picture below looks like the scarf that I got, except mine is black with sequins (subtle). Love it!

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#### Michelle

I am an obsessive foodie, but not self-righteous with it, love travel, meeting new people, helping you look good, and am freaked out by people who don't enjoying reading...something! Grab a Perrier, read my blog, feel free to drop me a line! Hope to hear from you soon.

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### Comments

1. Jamie says

   28 November, 2015 at 7:06 pm

   When I became a mother, I started to appreciate the concept of minimalism. I like simplicity and making everything minimal. I wish I had started doing this earlier not only to save money but also the fact that being simple has never been out of fashion.

   Reply

   - Michelle says

     28 November, 2015 at 9:07 pm

     I’m becoming very enamored by the idea of minimalism. You’re completely right that simple has never been out of fashion. I’m slowly but surely getting rid of anything that doesn’t make me feel good, look good, or move me forward-including people. Fortunately, I’ve done a pretty good job of that in the last year or so. I’m now working through all of my drawers and cabinets and getting rid of stuff. It feels GREAT!

     Reply

2. giulia says

   29 November, 2015 at 4:20 am

   well $18 for aòò that items a very good deal and this thrifty is helpful, I’m gree with your concept to doshopping from your closet, I’m doing the same yes I replace broke items, every 3 months clean and reprganize it, plus also if I love go ito shopping and see clothes before to buy I ask to myself if I already have something simiallar into my wardrobe and if that items can be combined with my entire wardrobe…but yes a no shopping trial is very helpful when you are on a budget, usually you understand bettr your spending habits!!!

   Reply

   - Michelle says

     29 November, 2015 at 10:17 am

     Giulia, I was really surprised by how few clothing items I was actually using. I actually rotate my shoes and accessories quite a bit LOL!! But, I was wearing the same things for the most part during each season. I have some new items coming but am about to get rid of several items as well. My wardrobe is much smaller than it used to be and I love it.

     Reply

### Trackbacks

1. […] to do this. In fact, I no longer spend money on clothing because I’ve done so well with my ThredUp referrals. I also encourage people to share their own links so that they can grow their affiliate […]

   Reply

2. […] started saving as a self-employed person here, am saving change automatically, and have gotten free clothes through community. Start saving money so that you can live your best […]

   Reply

3. […] ThredUP-$1230-What can I say, I have the best blogger wardrobe ever. ThredUp is an epically awesome online consignment store. If you register using my affiliate link you will receive a $20 credit towards your first purchase. Read about it HERE. […]

   Reply

4. […] discovered an online thrift store that I’m OBSESSED with! Check out my thoughts on it HERE. You’ll become obsessed […]

   Reply

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