We’ve spent this month talking about how to maximize your wardrobe. In week one, I explained the concept of Wardrobing where you build a wardrobe by buying capsules with items that mix and match and offer variety of looks from just a few pieces. In week two, I taught how to use closet staples to build a dream work wardrobe. In week three, I demonstrated how to use layers and accessories to expand those looks with the fewest number of pieces. This week, I wanted to end this series by talking about how to maximize your wardrobe on a budget by being a savvy shopper.

When I first wrote the title of this blog post, I chose the word “thrifty” to describe the kind of shopper I want to discuss today. Upon reflection, however, I decided “savvy” is a much better description. Being savvy means you are shrewd and practical and have the ability to make good judgements and be wise. You are astute, acute, sharp, intelligent and discerning. And, after all, this whole series has been about teaching you to be just that – savvy in the way you build your wardrobe and in the way you shop.

Follow your favorite stores on social media: Hopefully you have a favorite store or two that you have invested in following on social media channels like Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. As a small business owner with over 25 years of experience, the way we communicate with you has changed dramatically. Advertising when I first started in this business was mostly through traditional channels like newspaper and radio. As social media morphed into a place where many get their news and keep up with people and events, most small businesses have transitioned to reaching out on various social media channels. My business has a big presence on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest because that is where are customers are. Now, these channels are the primary way we let you know about in store events, sales, and promotions. They are also our platform for customer education like my weekly Wednesday Wardrobing Videos that accompany these blog posts each Wednesday night at 6 on my Fashion Crossroads Facebook Business Page. Being a savvy shopper means staying in the know on all of the ways to save money and get free stuff!! Smile. If you aren’t on social media, make sure your favorite store has your email address and check your emails!

Join your favorite store’s Loyalty Program: Many small businesses have transitioned from store wide promotions and sales to loyalty programs to incentivize and reward their best customers. Make sure you take advantage of these programs!! Beware of the fine print, however. Some loyalty programs are more gimmicks than real rewards ( i.e. more trouble than they are worth). But, when you find a good loyalty program, you really can save a lot of money by using it. In my store, as an example, our loyalty members earn $10 for every $200 they spend. This is essentially getting 5% off everything you buy. Our earned points don’t ever expire AND you can use them in all three of our locations: Fashion Crossroads, FC Outlet, and our online store http://www.fashioncrossroadsinc.com.

Use your favorites store’s Perks: As a small business, we are always looking for ways to stand out from the crowd and to make shopping with us more pleasurable than shopping with big box stores. We can’t always compete on price, as big box stores use their buying power to drive their costs down in a way that small businesses can never do. However, what we can offer is special perks for our customers. These can be things like store credit cards, layaway program, free gift wrap, free delivery, parking reimbursement, alternative pick up options, etc. Make sure you know what perks your favorite store offers and take advantage of them. In my store, as an example, we offer a layaway program with 90 days to pay and no fees. It is a great way to expand your buying power without having to pay credit card interest. Many of our customers use our layaway program for holiday buying. Friends and family can buy items off of layaway. That way, our customer gets what she wants in the sizes she needs, and her family pays what they can afford to buy her gifts. It is brilliant!! We also offer free gift wrap every day of the week, so when you have a gift to buy, getting the packaging and wrap isn’t just one more expense to add on top. Additionally, all of this can be done over the phone. Husbands can call us up, buy some items off of their wives layaways, have us wrap them, and then pick them up at our alley way drive up door. Special occasion buying for birthday, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and Christmas doesn’t get any easier than that!

Know when to take advantage of sales: Lastly, you can maximize your wardrobe and be a savvy shopper by knowing when to shop sales. The best time to shop sales are at or near the end of the season. As an example, we take our first winter markdown in November, our second in December, and our third in January. Shopping when these markdowns have just occurred gives you the best chance of grabbing the best sales. Our new spring merchandise starts arriving in February, so if you wait until then, most of the winter sales racks are very picked over. Simply ask your favorite store’s staff when they plan to do markdowns and then make a plan to shop as soon after that as possible.

I’ve included some social media posts that are getting ready to launch for upcoming November events that I plan to host in my stores. They are:

11/10-11/11: Dress Yourself Before You Dress The Turkey: for this event, we choose some amazing giveaway items from both Fashion Crossroads and FC Outlet and then our customers earn raffle tickets for the giveaways by coming in, checking in on Facebook, and for every item they buy. It’s a great way to get a jump on your holiday shopping and get a chance to win BIG.

11/17: Pink Friday: this event is all about shopping small businesses before you shop the big box stores on Black Friday. During this event, we do all things pink including pink drinks, snacks, and decorations. For this event, both Fashion Crossroads and FC Outlet will have a gift with purchase.

11/24: Black Friday: Earn Bonus Bucks for everything you buy in store and online. For every $100 you spend, earn a Bonus Bucks for $20. For every $75 you spend, earn a Bonus Buck for $15 and for every $50 you spend, earn a Bonus Buck for $10. Spend these in December.

11/25: Small Business Saturday: We are celebrating small business this Saturday with a Kendra Scott gift with purchase. Spend $100 on Kendra Scott and get a FREE Nash Pendant Necklace from Kendra Scott (a $60) value, while supplies last. FC Outlet is offering a free soap and lotion pack from Greenwich Bay for an order of $40 or more. We will have food and drinks too! Then get in the holiday spirit with the annual downtown Christmas Parade which starts at 6 p.m.