Molbog-Mendoza: Practical tips for the shopaholics

DAVAO. My Little Pony blouse (SM Department Store) for P249, H&M Skirt for P300, Bella shoes (Robinson’s Department Store) for P200. (Jenny Molbog-Mendoza)
DAVAO. My Little Pony blouse (SM Department Store) for P249, H&M Skirt for P300, Bella shoes (Robinson’s Department Store) for P200. (Jenny Molbog-Mendoza)



I HAVE heard a number of women, especially the shopaholics, exclaim that shopping is life. Well, going to the mall to buy the stuff you want (yes, want!) is definitely exciting!

Amid the excitement that goes with shopping, though, is the fear of getting broke at some point. You are somehow afraid that you could be spending more than what you expected. Or, you could be buying things that you never planned to purchase while on your way to the mall.

To be fashionable does not mean that you need to go home broke. Here are some shopping tips that you may consider to save you from spending too much and avoid buying those that you do not really need:

Bring just enough cash. Having more than what you need would just tempt you to buy more. As a result, you will surely be out of budget for the things that you really need.

Leave your cards at home. Whether it is your credit card or ATM card, please, leave it at home. If you are a certified shopaholic, there is a huge chance that you will be tempted to buy more than what you planned, especially if there is a mall-wide sale.

Think like a man. Generally, men are single-minded, which means that they go directly to the mall’s section where they can buy the item they are eyeing. Women, on the other hand, tend to check the other sections to see if they can still get something else at a reasonable price.

Focus on the spending, not on the savings. When you love shopping, the more you save, the more satisfaction you feel. Still not getting it? This simply means that you must be more conscious of your budget than the amount of savings you can enjoy by buying more items on sale.

Yes, those tags with “50% off” must be avoided when you do not actually need those, in the first place.

Meanwhile, here are the things I do to save on shopping expenditures:

* I never buy anything at regular prices, unless they are less than P600. I am a fan of some of the best brands in town. However, I have set a ceiling for the items I buy: nothing more than P600 for the regular-priced items. Especially when it is a blouse, I find it so expensive already if it comes with a P700 price tag.

* Make friends with sales associates. It pays to be friends with the store’s sales associates. Why? Because they will inform you when such product will be on sale. Yes, I would wait until it is already affordable.

* Check the quality and design if it is worth the price. Admittedly, there are items that are too pricey for their quality and design. These are the places I visit for the clothes and shoes I use regularly:

SM City Davao and SM Lanang Premier: When I am at any of the two SMs here, I can go to a lot of shops. Of course, I visit their department store first for some great finds. I usually buy SM Woman for my office wardrobe. I am also a fan of Little Miss for my daughter’s outfits. You must never miss Uniqlo, Forever21, Cotton On, Terranova, and Surplus, too!

Abreeza Mall: I shop for Teaberry pieces for my daughter because of their designs and affordability. And when they go on sale, it is always half the price. Calliope, H&M, and Mango are my other choices.

Gaisano Mall of Davao: Their department store has so many choices, from the trendy designs to office outfits. I usually get my trendy dresses from them.

Gaisano Grand City Gate: This is my latest shopping destination. A lot of their stuff are extra affordable! Do not worry, they sell good quality products there.

Victoria Plaza: This “oldest” shopping destination is still my go-to place whenever I need a good pair of tailor-fit pants and blazer.

When you shop, I have one big reminder: you must make sure that you always get the best value for your hard-earned money.

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If you have special events and fashion tips to share, or just want to discuss about any fashion-related concerns with me, you are always free to reach me at mendoza.jennygrace@gmail.com.

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