One of my New Year’s resolutions from 2015 has been to stick to a budget. When I was younger, a budget was a completely alien thing to me and I allowed myself to get into unnecessary debt. I have managed to pay a lot of it off as the years have passed, but still not all of it. Whilst I explore my options, including things like debt relief, I have been sticking to a tight budget. Turns out, budgets aren’t all that bad! What I used to consider a dirty word, has actually allowed me the freedom to pay off more of my debt, travel more, add money to my savings and shop guilt free! Each month I have a certain amount allotted to clothing and also get to spend whatever I make in consignment at My Sister’s Closet ( Have you checked them out? AH-mazing!).

For the Fall I have craving some new basics. I love the feel of a lived in pair of jeans, but lets face it — some times you just gotta let go. I am fortunate enough to live 5 minutes away from Fashion Valley Mall so that tends to be my go-to for everything that isn’t vintage.

The sales at Nordstrom are sooooo good–speaking of, they are currently on Fall Clearance so everything from the Fall is marked down 40%. Since I am stocking up on basics like jeans, new gym threads and footwear, it is a lot easier to buy things that I can wear clear into next year! Another place I love to pick up basics is Forever 21. They have the greatest t-shirts, OTK socks, beanies and other essentials and they are all super inexpensive. Score!