Friday 8 February 2019

Saving Money on Work Clothes

Returning to work has the decided advantage of extra income but it would be easy, if I abandoned the simpler and more frugal things we do here, to fritter those additional funds away. We are keen to save as much of our extra pennies as possible!

So, after spending much of the past four non-working years in shorts and T-shirts, and the occasional skirt if I had to "dress-up", I needed some 'fancier' clothes for work. Rather than spending a small fortune to buy brand new clothes, I looked at what I already had, sewed a few extra things myself and found a few bargains at the local op-shops.

A fully-lined dress with a little belt I already had.
(I love these colours!)

 A creamy top and a $7 pair of sweet little shoes.

A versatile, pleated skirt.
(I can match this will lots of different coloured tops.)

 A light and cool Summer dress.
($18 for an expensive label.)

What I paid at the op-shop for these well-made clothes was but a fraction of what they would have cost at the dress shops. Clothes that would retail for much, much more but cost me far less and they are in new, or near-new, condition. My purchases also saved adding to landfill and the money I spent supports the charities, Vinnies and the Asthma Foundation, who run my local op-shops.  More money left in my pocket, purchases that are better for the environment and community and clothes that I will wear often. Bargains!

How do you save money if you work outside the home too?

Meg












26 comments:

  1. Well done, what a fabulous saving! (And such lovely clothes)

    I love that you are still trying to live frugally even though you are returning to work, there would be no point returning to work if you didn't!

    PS I left you a reply about your avocado tree, just a suggestion, not 100% sure if it will work, but worth a try, it's what I'll be doing when I plant mine :)

    Have a lovely weekend Meg
    XXX

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    1. I agree that there would be no point returning to work if I just spent all the money I earned. We have independent school fees to cover but we also want to pay off our home more quickly. I shall check out that avocado tip...I am at a loss with our tree! Have a lovely weekend too! MegXx

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  2. When I worked in a school library I chose to wear a Tshirt with the school logo embroidered on and black pants even though it wasn't compulsory. Yesterday I bought two items of clothing for $4.50 at half price at a Lifeline shop which was closing down and relocating. The cost in the shops when they were new would have added up to $100. I saw the top in a dress shop a few months ago for $50!

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    1. There really are some great bargains to be found at op-shops, Chel. I think it's just a matter of checking regularly. Sounds like you got a great deal on that top! Meg:)

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  3. Well done ! A good idea is to only have pattern (if any) on your 'bottoms' and your tops plain, that way you have unlimited mix and match.You can spark up a plain top and bottom outfit with a scarf.
    I have that same lovely skirt....also from an op shop.

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    1. It seems we share the same taste in skirts! I love this skirt and have already worn it a couple of times. It looks lovely with a dark blue top. Meg:)

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  4. I also get my clothes from op shops, and if you take your time and look around, you can find some lovely things. I like all your choices and they seem as though they can mix and match nicely. I find I can get better quality clothes, like your designer dress.

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    1. Thanks! I agree that you can find good quality clothes in op-shops if you are patient and look regularly. It saves a small fortune! Meg:)

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  5. You found great bargains Meg.
    I too buy tops from thrift stores. It's hard to find pants that fit me in a style I like. So I buy them new when I see one, and wear them a long time. My oldest pair was bought in either 2006 or 2007 and it still looks good. 😊
    And I also buy clothes when I go to visit my family. Earning dollars and spending in rupees is way cheaper.

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    1. I find pants hard to find too, Nil. I always have to alter them! Meg:)

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  6. Those are fabulous pieces, Meg! I save money by knitting most of my tops and sweaters. I also make my socks, gloves, scarves, shawls, and hats. It provides endless entertainment, and everything lasts for years and years.

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    1. You're knitting is amazing, Stephenie. It's lovely to wear the things you make yourself. Meg:)

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  7. That just makes good sense (cents) doesn't it, and the items are lovely and summery but appropriate. Will you be working full time? It will definitely be harder to keep making everything, but hopefully your systems are already in place.

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    1. I am working part-time, Anne, but when teaching that is really never so. It just means I'm not physically in the classroom two days per week! I think it will be hardest to get to the more creative things I like to do as they are the first that I put to the side when I'm busy. Meg:)

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  8. I do like the fabric in your skirt....I don't wear skirts but I'd buy the skirt if it had enough fabric to cut up and make a top from. I picked up a pair of Country Road shorts last week at the op shop....$2.00! They're superb, only wish I could afford to buy their clothes new. You found some good bargains Meg, good on you for continuing with your thrifty ways.

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    1. Thanks, Nanette. Your shorts sound like a bargain too. Meg:)

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  9. I've gone the other way, having retired from work, I passed loads of clothes to our local charity shop (Save the children), I still have too many clothes, so I have packed some at the back of our wardrobe. Once the clothes I am wearing get tatty, I will pull out the rest and wear them. So I am not shopping for clothes at all. Last year I did not purchase and new footwear and plan not to but much this year.

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    1. I didn't need many clothes when I was not working regularly either, Marlene. It can be a big expense when returning to work so this has been my way of keeping that to a minimum. Meg:)

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  10. I'm an op shopper and rarely buy anything new. I recently bought a cardigan with a faux fur collar for $3.00, it was brand new and still had the tags on it, the original price was $120.00.

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    1. You saved a lot on that cardigan, Jan! I often see brand new clothes hanging on the racks at op-shops that have never been worn. I often wonder what they were intended for. Meg:)

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  11. Great finds! I work part time and on call; usually no more than one to three days a week with a full week occasionally. Since I usually don't work a full week, I only have about 3 pair of slacks with a few more tops to mix and match as needed. My favorite days are the ones at home where I wear my 'uniform' of jeans and a white t-shirt. :)

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    1. My favourite days are home days too, Kath. That's when I wear my favourite pair of shorts (that I keep patching) and old comfy tops. I switch to an equally holey pair of jeans in winter! Meg:)

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  12. Beautiful clothes, Meg. You simply have good taste, that is it! I love the blues and the blouse is so pretty. If I would lose weight, I could "shop" in my own closets. lol Andrea

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    1. Thanks, Andrea. Blues are my favourite colours, especially the gentler shades. I sometimes think my whole wardrobe is blue! Meg:)

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  13. Light and breezy, outfits for summer. Perfect! Nice dresses. I find it very difficult to find suitable clothes in op-shops. My shoulders span, wider than my hips, so I need tailored clothes. Of the few I find in op-shops, they're either too small, or too big. I still buy from op-shops, but sometimes have to try on everything in the store, only to walk away with nothing, lol. ;)

    One way we save money, from my husband working outside the house, is getting food scraps from work, to feed the chickens. We also use the shredded paper, to add to our compost. Look to your workplace, where things are being wasted - and see if you can find a way to make it productive for your bottom line. Or just because it's nice to stop things from going into landfill. :)

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    1. Chris, I was just thinking about this yesterday while using the photocopier at work. I wondered where all the unwanted copies, misprinted copies etc. went. There was a paper bin and a shredder so I will be making use of that to bring some of it home. Our compost can always use extra material! Meg:)

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