Paper Beats Plastic

We’re all frequent fliers.  Though most of us do not have the luxury of jetting off to exotic hotspots often, we’ve put in our miles over the years.  (Ok, admittedly, travel these days is no picnic, especially with the ongoing search for 3 oz facial moisturizers).  But I’m not speaking literally.  How many among us revisit the same grocery store weekly, out of habit, comfort, taste?  There, we’re frequent buyers.  The same goes for retail.  Most of us revisit stores we know suit our personalities and budgets.

It’s important to feel like we transform ourselves seasonally, daily (for some us multiple times a day) through how we look, and this can mean fattening our wallets. I’m not suggesting this be accomplished through ATM withdrawals, of course.  Coupons have always been a staple of saving, and will continue to get us that additional deal at Saks.  But even better are membership points.  Stores like DSW, Men's Warehouse, Loehmann’s and SYMS offer membership cards that, unlike a charge card, don’t bait one to charge now and pay later.  (In no way is adding another charge card to your plastics a good idea.)  But with a free membership, stores track what you spend over the course of time, and once you hit a magic, surprisingly low, number, they – shock, gasp! – mail you money to spend at their store with no strings attached.

 

(A perfect example: I buy a lot of my shoes at DSW, and received $140 worth of coupons over 2 weeks.  Their sales are currently so impressive that, between their discounted price and my mail vouchers, I walked out with a $550 pair of Marc Jacobs shoes I had coveted for less than $10.)

 

So for our basics, it’s great to rack up on these memberships and finally look forward to getting mail from shops we love.  

 

And for more special pieces that adhere to the paper rule – sample sales are a great option (especially if you know a designer fits you well). Many of these sales are cash only, an unintentional means for self-control.  Set your spending limit in advance -- that’s the amount you should bring in, and not a dollar more.  Also, sample sales are final sale, so you better be damn sure you’re spending that cash wisely.

 

Like any competitive sport, there are guidelines to live by when you brave the sample sale, and inhibitions to leave behind.  A few to get you started:

 

1. Arrive early.  The best is the first to go.

 

2. There will be nude women, and more than likely you will be one of them (unless we’re shopping accessories, but even then you never know).  Wear a bra and underwear you’ll be comfortable getting knocked around in.

 

3. Try not to wear too many layers into the sale, or worse – shoes that are difficult to get in and out of.  You want a quick strip.

 

4. Bring a camera or camera phone (I’ve been to sales without mirrors).

 

5. Do not be afraid to linger near the girl trying on the last of the dress you love – and feel free to snicker at her in it if it will stop her from buying it.

 

6. Bring a friend.

 

7. Take as much time as you need in there – you waited outside for 40 minutes damnit!

 

Check out DailyCandy.com for updated sale dates/locations.  And your mailbox for membership cash rewards.  Happy shopping!

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