Can’t decide when to ball on a budget or when to ball out? Here are some of my tips on when to treat yo self versus when to conserve the cash.
Splurge Worthy Items
A leather jacket – Question: When is a leather jacket not in style? A leather jacket is a basic wardrobe necessity that you will have and wear ’til death do you part,’ so why not splurge a little? Scoop NYC has a great selection, shop in store at their Highland Park Village location or online.
A hair dryer – There is nothing that makes me feel #flawless like a good blow out. My favorite hair dry bar is in my very own bathroom by yours truly. I have a drybar hair dryer, but there are plenty of other great options out there.
A basic heel – A good (and comfortable) pair of heels is hard to find, and once you find the ones you never want to give them up. Treat your feet with a pair of shoes that will go the extra mile, because they’ll last the extra mile. My favorite shoe brand is Stuart Weitzman because they’re a decent price range and comfortable.
Items to save money on:
Trends – An outfit you want for the now, not for the long haul. If you can’t see this item in your life in 5 years, then don’t spend the big bucks. Websites like ASOS, Hello Molly, and Tobi are great for reasonable, trendy clothes. Zara and Topshop are great stores if you’re more of a ‘try it before you buy it’ kind of person.
A daily face moisturizer with SPF – I’m a firm believer in drugstore brands. Cetaphil, Neutrogena, Aquaphor, CeraVe, all household brands we all love and trust. I use CeraVe Facial Lotion with SPF 30 in it every morning! Protecting your skin should be a top priority, and luckily it doesn’t cost top dollar.
Nail Polish – I know I know, wearing brand name nail polish is ‘cool’ and all, but $20 a bottle for nail polish? Or even $50? That’s a little steep. Stick to the basics like Essie, OPI, and CND for on-trend, inexpensive nail colors.
Makeup Brushes – Most of us 20 somethings like to mix up our makeup brands, using an eyeliner from here and a bronzer from there. There’s no need to buy expensive make up brushes when there are plenty of high-quality, low budget brushes on the market! Sephora makes great brushes.
When living on a college budget, it can be hard to decide where to spend your money. Essentially, try to splurge on long term items and save on less promising, or more frequent purchases. Don’t forget to always keep your student ID on you, because you never know when a student discount will be an option!
