10 Ways to Stop Overspending on Clothing

I love to shop for clothing, especially for my daughter. I always joke and say, "God knew my heart needed a daughter, but my wallet didn't!" 

Thankfully I'm not going into consumer debt, but I am a spender. Rather than feel guilt or shame, I started to accept and roll with it. Here's what to do if you tend to overspend on clothing or other items. 

1. Start a side hustle. 

I like to have multiple income streams so I can designate funds from different sources for specific purposes. One of my favorite sides hustles is - you guessed it - reselling my daughter's clothes! 

This is perfect because I truly enjoy it, and she outgrows things so quickly. I try to keep items in good condition without stains. I can sell things as she outgrows them to fund the next size up for her ever changing wardrobe. Check out this Ramsey Solutions article for more side hustle suggestions. 

2. Start a sinking fund.

Similar to having multiple income streams, I have multiple high yield savings accounts (HYSAs) that serve different purposes. One HYSA is for my emergency fund. Other sinking funds can be for travel or gifts. It's hard for me to resist end of season and holiday sales, so I try to keep a fund specifically for this purpose. 

If I dip into this fund, I can do so guilt-free, because this is precisely what the sinking fund is for. You can contribute a set amount on an ongoing basis, or you can divide the cost of a specific larger purchase over a set amount of time before you plan to purchase it. 

3. Take inventory of what you have already.

If there is not enough room to display what you already have, then items can be "out of sight, out of mind." You could be overbuying and completely forget about items you have socked away in drawers or stashed in storage totes - a telltale sign that you likely have too much already. If I'm planning to shop, I like to shop my closet and sort through what I have, then make a written list of what I could use to coordinate with items I already own. 

4. Make a wish list.

Most websites allow you to make wish lists, "favorite" or "heart" items. Then instead of browsing an entire site, you can easily login and access the items you love. 

On Amazon (commissions earned) you can make a list for any occasion and easily share it with others. You can watch the items on your list for discounts, or be prepared with suggestions if someone wants to buy you a gift! 

A wish list doesn't have to be limited to websites! Broke Budget Girl recommends having a wish list or plan in place when thrifting. 

5. Plan for and shop sales.

I have certain brands and small shops I love to support. Oftentimes, shops and sites offer the same sales year after year. I started keeping track of these sales so that I can be sure to have some funds on hand in advance. Amazon has prime days and Target has Target days. Small shops often have end of season and warehouse clear out sales to make room for new inventory. 

Each place may have their own unique sale dates, so start to take notice of these offerings. One small shop has a sale every time theres a "Friday the 13th," for example. I really love "ding and dent" or "slightly imperfect" sales - you can get great items at steep discounts because they're "slightly imperfect" but still totally wearable/functional. 

6. Keep receipts and take notes.

I keep an envelope in my purse with all of my recent receipts. If you change your mind or truly overspend, then a refund to the original form of payment is much better than receiving store credit that is likely to tempt you to spend even more! 

Keep the stickers, tags and any packing materials intact until you actually use the new items. Take notes on when a return window is closing - if 30 or more days pass and you did not use the item, then consider returning it. 

7. Shop at places with generous return policies. 

A couple of my favorites are Nordstrom and Kohl's. I believe Nordstrom has an indefinite return policy for items in condition in which they were purchased with free shipping and no restocking fee! Kohl's has a six month return window. 

A lot of places will allow returns for store credit beyond 30 days, but be sure to familiarize yourself with the policies of the stores and sites you frequent. And again, keep your receipts and leave the stickers/tags/packaging alone until you actually use your new item(s)!

8. Purchase products with a resell market. 

Certain brands have a following, and may offer limited edition collections, so there is a resell market. Some of my favorite brands are Posh Peanut, Little Bipsy (referral links), and Nora Madison for children's clothing and family matching. 

If you have facebook, check to see if your favorite brands and small shops have a Buy-Sell-Trade (BST) group. Some brands even have their own buyback programs, such as Taylor Joelle (referral link) character - inspired clothing. 

9. Stop window shopping and mindless browsing. 

If you seek, then you shall find. Unless you have money to blow that you set aside in a sinking fund specifically for this purpose, then just don't look! One of my bad habits is checking clearance sections of my favorite websites when we rarely need anything. 

According to Atomic Habits author James Clear, we are more successful when we remove temptation rather than try to resist it (commissions earned). If you must, disengage and unplug. Unsubscribe from emails and text alerts. Unfollow on social media and leave VIP groups. 

10. Give yourself grace. 

If you're naturally a spender, then you're going to spend. Roll with it and plan for it! There's no need for guilt, punishment or shame. Don't restrict yourself so much that you're doomed to fail and feel badly about yourself. Make room in your budget for categories in which you tend to overspend. And then include room for impulse purchases above and beyond that. 

Have a side hustle and sinking fund specifically for your favorite expenditures. Keep inventory of what you already have, and make lists of items you'd like to obtain in the future. Shop sales at stores with generous return policies. Prioritize brands with a resell market. 

Be cognizant of return policies, and leave new items in the condition in which they were purchased until you actually use them. Check out the post Overspending? 7 ways to cut it out! for more suggestions!

Are you a spender? What do you like to purchase? How do you roll with and plan for spending/overspending?

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