Ducks in a row.

by Jackie

Shopping is one of my favorite pastimes; whether it’s for myself, gifts, or for A*cute’s clients. But, I believe in shopping responsibly and spending within certain means.  Here’s how I keep my financial ducks in a row:

1. Organize. Cleaning your closet helps you get rid of what you don’t need and assess what you have. You may surprise yourself at the outfits and accessories you forgot about buried in your wardrobe.
2. Prioritize. Make a shopping list from items that you need to complete your newly organized closet. Get the items that you need more urgently first. This will keep you from overspending and differentiate between must-haves and impulse purchases.
3. Budget. Determine how much you want to spend and stick to your limits. The first step to creating a budget is figuring out how much money you have. Mint.com is an easy way to track your spending and analyze your habits.
4. Save. If you can, select a certain amount of money from every paycheck to be directly deposited into a savings account. I like ING because their interest rates are higher than other banks. You can also use a program like Wachovia’s Way-2-Save or Bank of America’s Keep the Change that puts money into a savings account on a purchase-by-purchase basis.
5. Invest. Don’t feel like you have to follow trends. Identify your personal style, and buy quality, long-lasting items that speak to who you are rather than what’s “hot.”