I’ve worn a watch every day of my life since I was in middle school. It started with a black Casio watch my mom bought for me from Kmart for $9.99. She didn’t like the $16.99 price, so she swapped the sticker with a cheaper one, shrugging her shoulders when the cashier was suspicious. Now […]
Are Cash Back Sites Sketchy, or an Underrated Way to Save Money?
Call me late to the game, but I used to dismiss cash back sites. Answering endless surveys and playing games to earn $5? No thank you. Somehow getting “free money” back to online shop? Yeah right. Rakuten, Swagbucks, Upromise. I’m sure you’ve heard of some of these names. Somehow they reward you with cash back […]
My Weekend Money Diary #7: Going Costco Crazy + Serendipitous Shopping
What happens when someone who’s “good at money” tracks their spending the old school way? With a pen and paper and not using an automated system like Mint? Inspired by the Man Repeller and Refinery29 money diaries, I thought it’d be fun to see what happens when I track my spending for a weekend. Although I’m conscious about my overall […]
Why I Track My Shopping Decisions – My 2017 Roundup
*This post contains affiliate links–clicks and purchases could result in a commission for me. I really appreciate your support! We know we should track our money. But what about tracking the personal things we choose to bring home? As someone who doesn’t really buy trinkets, most of what I bring home ends up being clothes. […]
An Actually Practical Guide to Shopping for High-Quality Clothes
*This post contains affiliate links. I never cared for Louis Vuitton bags. But a few weekends ago I visited the fashion house’s exhibition, which showcased the heritage of the brand and the early iterations of its iconic pieces. I was floored by the impeccable craftsmanship, care and detail put into the bags and trunks from […]
Three Questions I Use to Avoid Impulse-Buying Traps
With my upcoming adventure vacation, going on a shopping spree would have been so easy. The destination, New Zealand, is known for its varied climates and unpredictable weather. Since I’d be spending most of my time outdoors, I obviously needed a rain jacket, a fleece, and hiking boots, right? And since I’ve thrown away my […]
The Anatomy of a $60 T-Shirt Purchase
If I told you that buying a T-shirt was a 12-step process, you’d probably think I was a maniac. What is there to think about? You just drive to the nearest store and grab one that fits you and your budget. Snap decisions like that can totally work out from time to time. Like when […]