Overspending.
I don’t know about you guys but I hate paying too much for something.
There’s nothing worse than realizing you could have bought the same product cheaper elsewhere.
In today’s article, I’m going to show you how to level up your style without falling into the trap of overspending.
This article is brought to you by MAHI Leather. MAHI’s high-quality, full grain leather bags are made to order meaning you can customize size, style and even have your initials embroidered. MAHI ship directly to their customers – this means no middlemen or expensive storage and the savings are passed on to you with no overspending.
It’s quality made to last – MAHI bags will serve you for 50+ years if looked after properly. The full grain leather duffel in my video is just $151.50 and that includes free shipping! And to show how much MAHI are confident in their quality, they give you 70 days of usage to report any fault or quality issues. Don’t pay overspend for quality, click here to check out their duffel bags and click here to check our their backpacks. And use code RMRS to get a 10% discount!
#1. Ask For The Discount
You might not be aware of the discounts you’re entitled to. Check your wallet for discount cards and don’t be afraid to ask the question.
Have you ever heard the saying, “if you don’t ask, you don’t get”? It’s easy to type in a discount code online but in person, too many of us accept the price we see as non negotiable. This this isn’t always the case. And many guys won’t ask for a discount because it feels impolite or ‘wrong’.
If you don’t ask, you don’t get.
If you go about it in a polite and respectful manner, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with asking for a discount. There’s no point overspending if you don’t have to!
Check online to see whether the store you’re buying from offers any discounts and if it does, mention these when you’re about to make the purchase. If you haven’t checked, feel free to politely ask if the store has any promotions or discounts available. What have you got to lose?
Think about what discounts you’re entitled to. I have a Veterans ID card which gives me discounts in stores and hotels across the country. Maybe you’re a member of an organization or club which entitles you to discounts or perhaps another product you’ve bought in the past, like breakdown assistance, that comes with vouchers.
And finally, remember: Cash Is King and gives you better bargaining power. If you’re not afraid to negotiate, often times you can receive discounts by paying in cash instead of using a credit or debit card.
#2. Ask For Free Clothing
What’s the best way to avoid overspending? Get it free. Yes, I did just say that. People throw away clothing they don’t want. You need to speak to friends, family and colleagues. Mention you’re looking to up your style game and you’ll be surprised as what comes your way.
Check out the leather jacket I’m wearing in today’s video. You may even recognize it. That’s because it was given to me by Aaron Marino from Alpha M. It didn’t fit him and he asked if I wanted it. Do I want free $1,500 leather jacket? Yes, yes I do!
#3. Buy From A New Brand
MAHI Leather bags are made from full-grain leather, are made to order and are significantly cheaper than other, more well established brands. Click to visit their website.
Established brands are great. You trust the brand and often you know how their clothes will fit you. But big brands can come with big prices and there’s a risk you could be overspending.
Startup Companies Will Go Further For Your Business!
So get researching and check out start-up companies. These guys know they need to offer discounts or at least set their price points lower than well established competitors to get a foothold in the market. Often, you will find the quality of the product exceeds the more expensive brands out there.
#4. Shop At Thrift Stores
If you want to avoid overspending, it’s time to hit the Thrift Store – they are gold mines! So many guys are missing out by overlooking these places.
I know guys who have found $800 suits at a fraction of the price. And by that, I’m talking about $25! You’ll have to do some searching but the feeling of finding that 1 item at a 1/10 of its original cost is unbeatable. If you’re visiting a new town, go ahead and check out its thrift stores – you never know what you’ll find.
Thrift Stores Are Treasure Troves If You’re Prepared To Search
Tip – thrift stores in affluent areas are usually stocked with expensive items that people with high incomes don’t want any more.
#4. & 5. Buy Timeless & Interchangeable
Fashion trends come and go. Remember the skinny tie a few years back? Or what about flared trousers? You wouldn’t wear either of these now because you’d look out of place.
True style is timeless. The suit hasn’t changed a lot over the last 50 years. In fact, you could wear a classic suit made in 1960 and you would still look great today. Try searching for ‘Steve McQueen 1950s Suit’ and you will see what I mean.
Style Never Goes Out Of Fashion.
If you buy a quality classic suit, you may spend a little more initially but you will save hundreds of dollars in the long run because that suit will still be looking good 10, 20 or even 30 years from now.
The 14 Piece Interchangeable Wardrobe. Click here to visit our article – The Power of the Interchangeable Wardrobe.
You also need to consider the power of the interchangeable wardrobe. I’ve written about this extensively because it’s so important. The concept is simple – you buy items that compliment each other and work together. Take this example:
You buy 2 pairs of shoes. 2 jackets, 5 shirts, 2 ties and 3 pairs of trousers. How many outfits do you think you could make from this?
The answer may surprise you. It’s 2 x 5 x 2 x 3 = 120 outfits. And in these 120 outfits, each item in your wardrobe is being utilized so nothing is left to waste.
#5. Keep Your Receipts
Have you ever bought something on a whim? Perhaps it looked good in the store but when you got home, you didn’t like it. We’re all guilty of this at some point.
Make sure you keep your receipt and put those clothes back in the bag ready to be returned before the return policy expires. The most expensive item of clothing you own is the one you don’t wear!
Tip – if you miss the returns window, don’t give up. Take your clothes and receipt back to the store and speak to the manager. You may not get a refund, but you might get the option of changing it for something else or at least in-store credit.
#6. Avoid Overspending: Get A Hit-List
Sit down and make a hit-list of the items you need to build your core wardrobe.
There are items every gentleman needs in his wardrobe. A hit-list is a list of the items you need to build up your core wardrobe.
Stick religiously to your hitlist to avoid overspending – don’t walk into a sale and be tempted to buy something you don’t need because it won’t fit into your wardrobe and more often than not, it will sit gathering dust in your wardrobe.
#7. Get A Job In Retail
Want the best discounts in the business? Get a job in the business!
I’m not telling you to quit your career in order to save money on clothes but even a part-time job in retail will give you access to industry-only discounts and deals. And if you enjoy dressing well, you could consider it a paid hobby! Being in the industry will allow you to learn a great deal and this will arm you with the knowledge you need to up your style game even further.
Maybe you can’t do this. So instead, why not build up contacts and become friends with people in the business? Get to know them and develop relationships and you’ll soon find they’re able to put things aside for you so you get first dibs, or they’ll let you know when a sale’s coming up.
You’ll be surprised at how much you can save by being smart about your spending. Use these tips to put money aside for the essential wardrobe items you need or for that ‘special purchase’ a bit further down the line.
Do you have any tips of your own? Be sure to let me know in the comments section of the youTube video!
I know you guys hate overspending but that doesn’t mean you want to be cheap. There are some things you don’t want to compromise on and a well made, full grain leather bag is one of them. MAHI leather bags give you significant savings because they avoid overspending by cutting out the middlemen and expensive storage.
And because of this, their bags are made to order from full grain leather. Click here to visit their duffel bags and click here to check our their backpacks and use code RMRS to get a 10% discount!
The post STOP OVERSPENDING! 10 Frugal Fashion Hacks You Can’t Afford To Ignore appeared first on Real Men Real Style.