So, you’re at the newly refurbished mall with your friends. Some out-of-town architects have tried to give your childhood mall major face lift. It kinda worked, but you still remember when you hung out there and it looked more like a scene from Mall Rats – not exactly the most glamorous image, right?

Anyways, you and your buddies have decided to cruise the new boutiques, while also trying to avoid all the people you hated in high school (thankfully, you were smart and went OUT OF STATE for your college degree). Regardless of how maxed out your credit cards are, or the fact that your bank account is close to being in the negative, you find yourself tempted, enticed, and nearly seduced by the merchandise. That’s when you realize that those architects didn’t do such a bad job after all.

You’re eyeing the new display cases, admiring the artificial, yet calming ambiance, wanting to give into temptation, and, well, just buy a bunch of really nice “stuff.” But resist that temptation, girl! It’s fine to admire things. Hell, go ahead and drool if you like, but spending your money, say, at a place like Nordstrom or Macy’s is just foolish. Read More »

Of course there would be a clothing designer to capitalize off the twenty-something lifestyle. Young, Fabulous, and Broke is another high-end label that produces denim pricing-out around a quarter of my monthly rent and a cute little dress for my bi-weekly food budget.

Awesome! I can advertise the truth at last!

There’s no shame in being le broke, whether you’re in college or just out of it. The trick is to live it up without blowing through your checking account. Truthfully, the percentage of recent college grads making bank isn’t that high, we just have a lovely little tendency to live beyond our means and lack patience.

Label whores, I address you first. I’m one of you. The trick here is to get the look without going broke. Sales are where it’s at.

Instead of shopping consistently, go less often and go for classic pieces. Hit up outlet malls (there are some fantastic ones out there. In the tri-state area, I fully endorse Woodbury Commons, where I snagged a pair of Dior shades for $60 this summer and have seen BCBG at 75% off), wait until end-of-season, whatever. If it must be designer, you can tough it out until you can afford it. Trendpieces are best left to Forever21 and H&M. Read More »