10 Closet Must Haves

10 Closet must have's I agree with click the link here

How to...NOT Spend Money, Cause Spending Money's Wayy Too Easy

I've heard this "You have to have will power not to spend" thing way too many times. I can't NOT spend I love spending. I can't help it I've deviated from budget after budget all because my obsession with shopping has reached critical mass. In other words I have no will power. However I've researched some tips to share with my fellow weaklings and here we go!

1) When grocery shopping (or all shopping in general) always only bring cash and leave your debit and credit cards at home. That way you will only spend what you have cause thats all you've got! This will help you make more educated decisions about what to buy vegetables or not vegetables that is the question.

2) Look at what you have already with appreciative eyes. Your mom was right if you've got clothes on your back, food in your tummy, and a roof over your head you're pretty well off. Not to mention you can enjoy the surplus of shoes, shirts and etc that I'm sure we're all guilty of having.

3) Make the bank make your money disappear before you do. Having direct payments hooked up to your bank account ensure that the money for your hydro bill actually pays your hydro bill instead of paying for that cute pair of stillettos you'll only wear one time cause they hurt your feet! If the money's not there you won't have a chance to spend it.

4) Stay at home! I know this is hard for those super social people however not going out will probably save you the most amount of money. Going out will tempt you and even more so if you're going out with other people that like to spend. Stay at home read a book, clean, nap whatever just do not leave that door if you don't have to!

5) Lastly and I know this is kind of a contradiction to this entire post but you cannot save money cold turkey. Just like not failing on a diet you need little indulgences to get you through. Something cheap like a bargain book or an on super sale t-shirt will give you the pep you need to get through your saving money/being poor draught.

Well It's Finally Happening

Hi all,

This is the post to end all posts! (well not really). It's just a really big announcement/newsflash.
Well I signed up for a booty camp avec one of my fav girls to whip my not so toned body into shape before school starts. In conjunction this also means that I will be having my very last starbucks drink tomorrow or Saturday either way before Tuesday I will have had my last for quite sometime. On top of this I will be eating lots of fruits and veggies but more importantly...no more fast food, this includes the gourmet hot dogs I have recently become addicted to. I'll be updating on a regular basis my progress but I bet your wondering what this post has anything to do with saving money? Well the booty camp was found on a coupon deal website a class that originally cost $190 plus tax cost me around $50! This is going to be the hardest 4 weeks of my life but I'm ready and up for the challenge. Getting back to the whole coupon thing, websites like livingsocial and groupon have daily deals that could prove useful and it's free to sign up. Good luck in finding amazing deals and I'll be updating with posts pertaining to getting healthy and keeping it cheap!

Take care!

Update!

So I know I haven't posted in quite a while however I'm currently developing some awesome d.i.y's to share! I'm also slowly whipping my apartment into clean/organized/liveable space. Stay tuned!

ALSO!: Just as a side note Banana Republic Madmen collection comes out in less than three weeks!

Closet Chaos

I decided to do something crazy with my day off, well not that crazy. It all started when I started doing my laundry and while I was folding the fifteen pyjama t-shirts I seem to own I began wondering if it was about that time that I commit to purging all the clothes sitting in my closet collecting dust. So I researched some helpful tips that I want to share with you all to aide you in your next great closet undertaking.

When was the last time you wore that?
I think this is by far the best advice you'll ever come across when re-organizing your closet. If you haven't worn it in the past six months, or can't recall the last time you wore it, or if it's still got the tags on it. Toss it. Well don't necessarily toss it but give it to a friend or donate it. It will free up space and you won't miss it once it's gone.

If it's broke, don't fix it!
If you have a dress that's torn or needs mending and you've been meaning to get it fixed or fix it yourself and just haven't gotten around to it for almost a year get rid of it. You're wasting space and your time if you keep it.

Trends Die
Sooner or later (but hopefully sooner rather than later) that cute little crop top you bought will phase out and everyone will be on to bigger and better things. Those old trends that were great at the time aren't so great any more that's why they're called trends.

Getting Sentimental
We are all guilty of this. Grandma gave you a sweater for Christmas in 1995 and you still have it, and on top of it all you've never worn it? No offence to Gran but it's time to say goodbye, having memories attached to objects is no crime but if it's just collecting spider webs donate it or give it away. It may find a new life for someone else.

Regardless of all the good tips and tricks purging your closet is a process and definitely doesn't have to get done in one day. It's a process so take your time. I know my big closet clean up is definitely going to take a while, but it's a work in progress

Hope this helps!

Take a Bite Out of Lunch Costs

If you're as forgetful as I am, you more often than not might find yourself in the situation where you're purchasing your lunch basically everyday that you're working. But you might not know that by purchasing your lunch 4 or 5 times a week, you're throwing away money that could easily be saved!
Say for example on average you're spending about $8 to $10 on lunch everyday five days a week. That averages to approximately $40 to $50 dollars a week or $160 to $200 dollars a month, you could be spending between $1920 - $2400 a year! That much money could pay for: six pairs of shoes, five complete outfits, one handbag, and about $100 to $200 dollars worth of make up. Or round-trip airfare, hotel and tour expenses on a trip to pretty much anywhere in Europe. Really puts things into perspective huh?
But bringing your lunch to work in no way means you have to brown bag it and stock up on zip-lock bags galore. You can do it in style and while your saving money and looking chic you can also do your part to save the environment.

Box Appetit from black + blum

I purchased this amazing lunch container from the store I work for (however it is also available online) and not only was it relatively inexpensive (around $20) But it comes with handy compartments, a water tight seal, and a fork to boot!

Do yourself a favour and start bringing your lunch to work or school or wherever! You're doing a world of good not only to your wallet but also the environment, but more importantly you'll start noticing the difference in your finances instantly. And having a little extra cash kicking around never hurt anyone.

To the Victor Goes the...Ikea Spoils

Hi all,

So just a little background info with school coming up and everything I decided to clean up my life and whip my sad little apartment into shape. Which has prompted many trips to various big box stores to pick up storage containers and etc. This is from my most recent trip (literally just got back five minutes ago) from Ikea.

These were the fantastic items I picked up. You might ask why I'm sharing this little tidbit of info? Well if you didn't already know Ikea is probably the number one place I would go to, to save some money and that's exactly what I did

12 Spice Jars at $3.99 for a 4 pack, 2 Dish brushes .79 cents, 1 Storage Container $1.99.
Adding up to a not so grand total of $16.67.



Trust me I could have bought way more probably one of everything in the store. But for now I'd say a not so bad trip to the land of Swedish furniture.

Take Care!

Creating a Successful Budget

Hi All!

This post could not be more relevant to my life right now, finances are changing and I need to create a new monthly budget for myself. So I thought I'd share so helpful hints as to increase the success of your own monthly budget.


Create a Budget that is Catered to You
If you're a student with a part-time job and renting an apartment you for obvious reason do not have to include a section that is dedicated to property taxes or a mortgage payment. Make sure your budget includes expenses that are relevant to you and your life, not someone else's.

Realistic Goals
Creating a budget is all about setting financial goals for yourself an example of  this would be, saving for tuition or saving up to buy a new quality pair of black heels. Without some sort of goal your budget is restrictive and you will be more likely to deviate from your budget. Making smaller purchases for silly items in the long run when you could have saved up for a larger more satisfying purchase.

Track Your Spending
Save all of your reciepts or write all of your purchases down. However you want to track your spending do it! Not only will this help making your monthly budget easier because you will know where your money is going on a daily basis, but it will also help you pick and choose the expenses in which you have room to cut back.

Accurate Income Projections
Ever heard the term "Don't count your chickens before they hatch"? It's true! Be realistic about the income you're actually bringing in. HST cheques and the random handout from Grandma should not be counted upon. If you aren't receiving it regularly don't include it.

Assess Where You can Make Cuts
Cell phone bill too high? Switch to a less expensive plan, going out for dinner every Friday night? Try eating out only once or twice a month. By making these small adjustments to the things you spend your money on most you'll notice that each month you have a little more wiggle room instead of always approaching the end of the month at the tight end of your budget.

Hope this helps in your next budget creation!

New Computer!

Hi all,

So before my posts were brought to you by a dilapidated but well loved dell laptop that had seen better days and then some. Introducing new posts via my brand new Asus notebook! I'm beyond excited to be bring you all posts via a computer that doesn't constantly need to be plugged in. She had a good run and of course I'm  budget conscious but I was getting to the point of being flat out cheap.

More to come!

The Royal Recycler? My kinda Gal

Picked this article up this evening, speaks about Kate Duchess of Cambridge recycling outfits no shame girl!

"Clothes Encounters on the Royal Tour"

Pending Royal Visit...Dress like the Duchess of Cambridge (obviously for less)

Well here goes,

Late last week I was informed by my sister that she would be coming to Ottawa for the upcoming royal visit. And even though fashion articles have already mentioned that the newly-wed duchess is just like us average gals looking for great fashion deals in stores like Zara. Here's a crash course before Canada day to dressing like a duchess.

 This photograph was taken a day after the happy newly-wed's said "I do"
This outfit was the basis in which my inspiration came from.

First and foremost the dress!
No you do not need to check your eyesight this is the same dress. Although it took me a while to locate it here she is.
Pleated Dress available at Zara, $69.99

 The Shoes! These beauties can be found at Aldo for an amazing price.
  Collegea Wedge, Aldo.com, $50.00










With these suggestions you can dress like royalty for around $120.00 Canadian. For now I won't get in to blazers considering with the season my research resources for them were very limited however it's something you can pick up with a little look around. Hope these tips help, I'll be seeing you all on Parliament Hill on Canada day to greet our royal visitors, all thanks to my sister.

My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding

Is anyone else besides myself watching this?
Fascinating to say the least, can't wait to be watching the season finale on Friday after all my William and Kate watching.

I Could Not Be Happier....Beaming!

I literally had to pull my jaw off of the floor when I saw this article. Although they will probably cost an arm and a leg I will definitely be purchasing some key pieces from this fall collection. Banana Republic Mad Men Fall 2011 collection.

Re purposing in addition I can't figure out Tumblr

Hi all,

Well I'm back here on blogspot and as much as I have tried (and I have tried very VERY hard) I just cannot get used to Tumblr. This fact ages me far beyond my years however I don't care and I am ecstatic to be back here! So enough of me being lazy and not bringing you want you want, you want d.i.y's and cool stuff and I shall bring it to the masses!

Moving along though,
My wonderful co-worker and dear friend Rhys (hiddenmickeyears.blogspot.com) told me about a wonderful way you can turn disaster into a master piece. As we were talking at work she told me that a nice white dress she had just purchased not too long ago fell victim to a nacho/salsa attack. And being the innovative gal she is she told me she found a way to save the dress by using fabric dye. Now I know fabric dye is no secret and has been around forever. But when she told me how easy it was I could think of at least three articles of clothing I own that needed a little spruce of colour. Not only is this giving clothes new life but it also is also super cheap (just a little over $4)

And these are the lovely results!

Kudos again to Rhys for the amazing info!

Bedroom Transformation

This victoria day will be spent bringing you guys some before and afters of the bedroom I literally cannot wait i'm so excited!

Sorry Sorry Sorry

Hi Everyone,

So these past two weeks have been nuts and I was going to bring you a d.i.y but it involved paint and then it started raining cats and dogs here and it really hasn't stopped. So until life gets back on track and the rain stops it'll be slow goings for the next little bit. However I will be updating tonight with a money saving tip. As I am going to be putting most of my money saving knowledge to the test today!

Bedroom Move/ Re-Vamp

Hi all

So this is a really exciting week for me. Not only am I working like crazy but also our bedroom is making a move in our apartment. As my close friends will know I have a little upstairs neighbour problem I like to call “devil baby” and that I think is pretty self explanatory. Anyway Kyle will be moving rooms our office to our bedroom and our old office will be our new bedroom! In the coming weeks I will be cleaning and decorating and also adding the very first d.i.y to the budget savvy katty blog. So stay tuned for awesome updates, I can’t wait to share it all with you guys!

Tumblr URL

Hey all,

So as promised I will also be posting on tumblr for those interested in following the blog there here is the url!

http://budgetsavvykat.tumblr.com/

Tumblr...

So I've had a few complaints...

But good ones! I've been getting feedback that not everyone wants to join the blogspot community so I decided that I will be posting on both blogspot and tumblr. I'll be posting the link on here as well as on facebook and twitter to get the word out. Trying to figure out how this whole tumblr thing works as we speak

Take care!

Damn...Denim

Hi all,

Well I guess theres no fighting it any longer the three most frequently worn pair of jeans have bitten the dust. One  pair I can see through, one is so faded I'm not even sure what colour they were originally, and the last pair has thee hugest hole in...well where there shouldn't be a hole! Needless to say at this point I'm going to have to suck it up and buy a new pair of jeans. This time I'm going to splurge a little and make sure I get a quality pair, jean shopping can be costly and time consuming however with some of these tips hopefully it'll make your next shopping trip less painful.

Take your time!
 I can't emphasize this enough! Take your time if it takes five hours it takes five hours. Rushing yourself will only frustrate you and lead you to purchasing a pair of jeans that just isn't right for you. Jean shopping is frustrating enough without putting a time constraint on yourself. Give yourself the time it takes to find the perfect pair.

When In Doubt
 Well you've found a pair that fits and it comes in about fifty-billion different washes, now what? When in doubt go with a dark solid wash. It will match anything and will last you a long time if washed properly. If you want wears and embellishments on the jeans be sure you absolutely love the way they look. These highlights on the jeans do exactly that and highlight the areas in which they are covering (Bejazzled bum pockets anyone?)

Sit Test
This is a must do when you are jean shopping! If you really want your jeans to go the extra mile (and cover your plumbers butt while you're at it) find a spot on a change room bench and sit. If you aren't covered then you might want to try on another pair possibly in a different rise or size. Remember a belt does not always fix this problem so if anything make this your staple when shopping.

Seeing Double
 This tip pretty much goes against all the money saving tips I've been giving lately, however investing is also part of saving money. Once you find the right pair of jeans for you and you've put them through the ringer try to pick up two pairs (if finances permit). Store's often change their denim style's and can discontinue fits on a regular basis so stock up. Having one pair you can wear with flats and one pair with heels is always an asset.

Lastly carpe the deal. If you see a store advertising a really good deal on denim take advantage of it. Major retailers such as the Gap have specials on their denim often so make sure you look around and do your research.

That's all for now!

I'm a Slacker

Hi guys,

Soooo sorry for not updating in a few days work and other home domestic obligations have been taking up my time lately but I promise I will be more diligent in the upcoming days to bring you all some pretty sweet info!

Girls Night Out...When Pay day is Nowhere in Sight

Hi all,

So sticking with the theme of saving ourselves tons-o-cash and seeing as the good weather is on our way going out to pubs, bars, patios and etc will be happening more and more often. Sometimes after a long work week there's nothing better than a night out with the girls. However the next day you don't only wake up with a bumping headache but moth's are taking up residence in what used to be your remotely full wallet. Here are some tips to ensure that you can have a blast with your friends without the broke headache the next morning.

1) Set yourself a limit

 By withdrawing cash and leaving your credit and debit cards at home. Once all the cash is gone you know it's time to call it a night, but this method will also help you pace yourself in your spending instead of blowing it all at once. 

2) Find deals where you can

 Your drinks and food on a Friday night don't have to be so expensive that it's the only meal you eat for a week. Many restaurants, pubs, and bars have food and drink specials that will allow you to save a little cash. Such specials might include a night where bar rail is $3.00 (take advantage of this!) Websites such as http://www.specialstoday.ca/ottawa can also help you find a good deal on a night out. 

3) Transportation

 If you can find a good deal at a pub or restaurant within walking distance you've pretty much cut down the cost of your night out by fifty percent! If you and your friends want to venture a little further try taking public transportation such as the bus to and from your destination. Not only is it cheap but because most bus routes don't run super late it will have you home at a relatively decent hour. If you're going to take a taxi be sure that you have enough friends going to the same area to split the cab with.

Hope some of these will help you in the nights and weekends to come!

Best 5 am wake up I've ever had

Well today has been amazing, romantic, so many things. I was beaming when I saw the dress that Alexander McQueen's predecessor Sarah Burton had designed and it took the words right out of my mouth. Elegant and classy choice, simply timeless.

The Royal Wedding!

Well as much as I hate to admit it, I've been looking forward to this for quite some time (everyone at my work knows this) and yes I will be one of those people staying up until 3 am to catch a glimpse of history (and Kate's dress). Even though their romance and engagement has been highly publicized I commend the two for being so classy about everything. In the end they're just two people that want to spend the rest of their lives together. Kudos to such a legit couple. Not to mention the broadcast of the wedding and the events afterwards are absolutely free!

New Shwag

New shwag arrived today via one of my fav online retailers karmaloop
In conjunction with todays earlier posting karmaloop is partnered with D.H.L for shipping to Canada which equals less duty to be paid!

"The Sorceress Tank" From Obey

Online Ordering...A Tale of Caution

As a naive young girl before I was privy to the world of online ordering I thought that my choices for shopping were limited and therefore more often than not I was very discouraged in my shopping endeavors. But now that there are thousands upon thousands of websites to order pieces from my options are limitless. However just like everything there is a draw back. The majority of online clothing retailers based in the United States or overseas can ship the items to you for little cost. However due to customs and boarder policies we are subject to pay a duty on the items we have ordered. Which can turn that amazing deal you got on a few shirts and a dress into a not so good deal by paying an upwards of $70.00 in duties. So as a caution when ordering from online retailers be sure to look at their shipping information, some companies have contracts with shipping companies that reduces the cost of duties and some do not. Just be cautious and calculate to spend at least an extra $20.00 to $40.00 depending on your order the next time you shop online, as the duties will be due by the shipping company upon delivery.

Day off at last!

So despite having two wonderful days of rest, relaxation, and food this past Easter weekend, I did not have to care about work duties or even getting dressed for that matter. Amazing? Yes. Drawback, I've been able to avoid every illness I've been surrounded by since Christmas time. I've survived two flu's and a round of the common cold. However now it's caught up with me and for lack of censorship I am a full blown snot bucket. But I did not spend the day lazing around and making a mountain-o-kleenex, Kyle took me to the mall to look for shoes (not for me). To make this post relevant to my blog I resisted the urge to buy many things even though there were some amazing sales (and for way more than 30% off might I add). At the end of the two hours walking around my poor illness ridden body was pooched and we still had no shoes in hand. Bonus of the day was the trip to the dollar store in which to my surprise yielded banana clips for my hair! So I suppose my tip for the day is do not overlook dollar stores. I just so happen to love them and they have items you just might need for super cheap! After my long day I made yet again a horrible dinner. So anticipate for one of my up and coming posts a photo blog of a dinner that is somewhat edible and doesn't poison Kyle. 

That's all for now,

Katty

 

Getting Your Monday Java fix...But it'll cost you

This morning I woke up and instantly my mind turned to getting my starbucks fix before I made my way to work.Of course by bringing my own travel mug I’d save myself 10 cents off my order however that is still not saving me enough to make it worth my while. Then I had a second thought it’s obvious that by making my own coffee or tea at home I’m going to save myself at least $4.50. Just think if you got your latte fix five days a week your spending $22.50 per week and in a months time you’d spend $90.00 or more. So today I’m going to do myself a favour and save that $4.50 and put it towards something a little more satisfying than the ten minutes it takes me to gulp down my gourmet coffee, like a new top or dress perhaps.

How to have an amazing Spring Wardrobe...Without Breaking the Bank!

If you’re like me sometimes you open up your closet or dresser in the morning and sigh with disdain completely convinced that you have nothing to wear. Here are some tricks and idea’s to help you brighten your wardrobe without spending your life’s savings.

1) Have a Switch & B*#$@ with your friends.
Your greatest fashion resources are your friends, pick an night where everyone can get together to swap clothes. Not only is this option free of charge but you get ideas and inspirations from other peoples fashion styles as well as face time with your friends. Switching a few articles of clothing with your friends will add new pieces to your wardrobe for you to create new outfits - viola some fresh new looks!

2) Look for sales that advertise no less than 30% off

When perusing the mall or shops and you see a sale that says 10% to 15% off look the other way. These sales only technically save you the tax instead of a little extra. Try looking for sales that advertise 30% or more, saving yourself the tax plus a little more allows you to save money for another purchase or a little extra cash to put away for that top or dress that you absolutely cannot live without.

3) Compare Prices

You finally see the pair of shoes that will make your life complete, however they come with a massive price tag and if you buy them you might not eat for a few days. Before plunging into the purchase look around first. Go to other stores and see if they have the same style or something very similar for less. Better yet if you can hold out for a little longer you can research the shoes or product online for better deals. Or if you can wait the item in question may very well go on sale or clearance allowing you to snatch up the shoes of your dreams and a bargain as well.

4) Lost and found Vintage and secondhand treasures

It’s no new secret that vintage shops and second hand stores have clothing treasures and accessories untold. However why don’t we do it more often? When shopping consider checking out your local second hand store or vintage shop more often, they have hundreds of amazing finds that could freshen up your wardrobe for almost next to nothing out of pocket. As an additive yard and garage sales can also have many treasure just waiting to be found.

Hope some of these tips help you in your next shopping endeavors!

Happy Easter everyone! First post ever!

Hi all!

So this is officially the first post ever to be written on the Budget Savvy Katty blog! By this time you all are mowing down on some chocolate eggs and jelly beans so I'll keep this super short. I am going to try my hardest to update this blog daily so check back often for different articles, bleeps from me, d.i.y's, photos and more! I'm super new to this so this blog experience is going to have me learning tonnes! I want your feedback if there's something you don't see on here or something I could definitely improve on let me know! After all this blog is for you!

Lots of love!

Katty