More Than You Bargained For

As far as I am concerned there are two types of people in the world: Those who brag about getting a bargain and those who tell you they paid full price when they didn’t.

I definitely fall into the first category – much to my husband’s chagrin….

Despite the pleasure I find in disclosing my deals and steals, I also believe in sharing in the wealth – or in this case the bargains, so allow me to impart upon you some of the wisdom of living a million dollar lifestyle on a shoestring budget.

1. My first tip when hunting for a deal is not to get sucked into trends simply because they are ‘on trend’ (gag) because as it will eventually go out of fashion. Make sure you really love something before you buy it. A true test of that love is if you can hold out a little. That thing you liked so much will eventually go on sale. If you still love it, buy it! And feel the victory.

2. Know how to hunt – where to go – and when. (These tips are directed towards homewares and furniture because that’s what I do, but trust me – they work for fashion too!).

3. Shop the sales – get on mailing lists and Facebook to learn when they are. Go to them! Ordering on line can be a big bust. Unless I have seen what I am ordering I avoid on line shopping because things are never what you expect them to be.

4. Go regularly. At a good sale things get moved around a lot and misplaced. They also replenish stock often, so keep popping in. The best part is at a lot of shops they continue to mark things down so it pays to keep returning to the same haunts.

5. Dig. Don’t be ashamed. The best bargain hunters out there will know that people hide stuff with the intention of returning for it, or things get lost in the back of the shelf, leaving the goodies behind for those willing to spend a little elbow grease.

6. Floor stock baby! Floor stock is great for people looking for furniture bargains. You can often get new things for half off simply because they want to make room for new stock. 

7. Don’t judge. Just because its not a brand you normally like (or even generally dislike) doesn’t mean they won’t have the occasional great item. Remember it’s all about context. Something might look like crap in one setting surrounded by ugly stuff, but amazing in your house surrounded by beautiful stuff!

8. Do not be blinded by a sale. If anyone is guilty of that it is me, but I have learned my lesson (more than once). A deal does not always and exclusively mean ‘sale’. Remember that too!

And there you have it! My parting gift for you today is a list of a few of my favorite spots to score a deal. Mostly for those of you in Melbourne, but some are international!!

www.westelm.com.au – great sales on all the time! Good turn over of product too.

www.weylandts.com.au – amazing annual sale but they also just have some great reasonably prices homewares daily.

outlet.countryroadoutlet.com.au super cute homewares and linen on sale!

www.H&M.com – check out their homewares! It is my go to for feather pillow inserts too. $10! 

www.freedomfurniture.com.au – good sales, good for basics, good in moderation mixed with good stuff (see point 7.)

The above shot is of some West Elm throw pillows – if they still have them they would be on sale for sure!