Anyone who knows me knows I love to shop. There’s nothing like putting together a great outfit. I feel like I’ve created a masterpiece. I once told someone that “shoes aren’t just something you put on your feet; they are a work of art—like something to be admired in a museum.”

As much as I love to shop it’s important not to spend all my hard-earned money on fashion. There are many ways to dress well without spending a lot of money. According to the Consumer Expenditure Survey, the average household of 2.5 people spends $1,604 per year on clothes. Below are tips to help you save less on clothes and accessories.

Shop before you need something. Shopping on impulse or at the last minute can leave you with an overpriced item you don’t like. It’s best to plan ahead and give yourself time to research the best price and buy something you’ll love.

Look for end-of-season deals. The best time to buy a winter coat is after the winter season winds down and the spring shipment begins to come in. If you buy items during off-season you can save a bundle. The trick is to buy items you will wear and avoid buying something just because it is on sale.

Find bargains at resale shops. Resale stores carry stylish, gently worn pieces. You can resale your old clothes and earn a few bucks or just exchange what you own for something in the store of equal value. There is usually a fashion buyer on-site to personally inspect the clothes for wear-ability and style.

Checkout great deals online. Online shopping sites such as Ebay and Amazon are great places to buy clothes. To have a successful experience always purchase an item from a seller who has a solid reputation and lots of positive comments; check all measurements to make sure the item will fit you properly; and verify the price is reasonable by researching what it sells for now.

Mix and match pieces. Buy items that you can mix and match with a variety of pieces. Make sure you can wear the item for a variety of occasions. This will cut down on shopping trips and cost less money. *A good rule of thumb to buying shoes is to make sure you can wear them with at least five different outfits.

Invest in the basics. This is an old style rule. Everyone should have a nice, crisp white shirt; a good pair of black, tailored pants; a nice pair of blue jeans; and dress shoes. To cut down on shoe buying get one pair of silver, gold, black, flesh-tone, red, and your favorite color shoes. These are stable colors. You’ll be able to wear them with anything. Don’t buy shoes that are too trendy and I recommend investing in a really good pair since you won’t have to buy new ones for awhile (depending on how often you wear them).

Look for special promotions. Sign up with your favorite stores to receive coupons and special promotions through the mail or email. Many stores send out coupons to customers who have signed up. This will also inform you of special sales and clearance events.

Yes, fashion is an art. Managing money is a skill. Study styles in magazines and shop for similar, discounted items. Magazines such as Instyle offer a Fashion for Less section where the editors find inexpensive versions of some the season’s hottest pieces.

The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act requires consumers to complete an approved credit counseling session prior to filing for bankruptcy. After filing, debtors must complete an approved financial education course before they can discharge their debts. These requirements were included to ensure consumers make an informed choice about bankruptcy, its alternatives and consequences. Perhaps more importantly, they were designed to provide bankruptcy filers with the financial skills necessary to build a strong financial foundation and avoid future financial problems.

Filing for bankruptcy protection can impact your credit report and score for up to 10 years. The good news is that no matter how bad things look, you can always bounce back and re-establish a good credit score. Following are some ways to re-build credit after bankruptcy.

Pay yourself first. Unfortunately, bad things sometimes happen to good people. Expect the unexpected and put money away for the rainy days. Having an emergency fund can keep a minor financial setback from turning into a major financial crisis.

Clean up your credit report. It’s important to take the necessary steps to dispute any incorrect information on your credit report. Visit AnnualCreditReport.com for one free annual credit report from each of the three major bureaus.

Get a secured line of credit. Obtaining new credit (with reasonable repayment terms) after a bankruptcy can be difficult. Consider a secured account or a small personal loan with a bank or credit union if traditional lines prove to be too costly.

Use credit wisely. Credit cards are useful, but should only be used as a tool of convenience and not as an extension of your income. Always have a plan for payoff when making purchases with credit cards; ideally less than 90 days.

Pay bills on time. Create a calendar with due dates and payment amounts. Set up automatic payments with your bank to ensure timely delivery. Also, don’t neglect creditors such as the phone and utility companies. Many people don’t realize these are creditors too.

When trying to reestablish credit, it pays to be persistent and patient. The good news is that scores are continually updated and may move several points each month.

People can quickly go from prosperity to poverty with the strike of a hurricane, wild fire, flood, or other natural disaster. To better prepare people in the event of an emergency, September has been deemed National Preparedness Month. This is a time to not only prepare for your physical needs such as food, water, and clothing, but also a time to get your financial needs in order in case of an emergency or unexpected event.

Emergencies and disasters can happen any time. The Department of Homeland Security recommends that everyone take steps to better prepare themselves and their families before an emergency occurs. Experience tells us that families and individuals need to be ready with a financial preparedness plan. This National Preparedness Month, consider the following:

Protect your identity. Keep family records, property deeds, birth certificates, wills, insurance policies, passports, social security cards, immunization records, credit card numbers, car titles, bank account numbers, and three years of tax returns in a safe deposit box. Place each document in a plastic bag that can be sealed to keep out moisture.

Start an emergency fund. Regularly contribute to an emergency fund that can cover at least three to four months of living expenses. This fund should be separate from your savings or investment account. In addition, keep extra cash with your emergency kit, which should include a three-day supply of water and food, first-aid kit, can opener, flashlights, radio, and extra batteries.

Make a plan. Your family may not be together when a disaster strikes. It is important to develop a family emergency plan in advance—how you will contact one another; how you will get together; and what you will do in a different location. In addition, make a plan to take care of your pets, family members with a disability, and the elderly. Outline an evacuation route, a meet-up location, and alternative living arrangements while away from your home.

Have adequate insurance coverage. Proper insurance coverage will prove beneficial after an emergency happens. It will cover any property or personal damage. Some important insurance coverage include: auto, home, life, medical, flood, fire, hurricane, and renters (if you live in an apartment or lease a home). In addition, it’s worth considering specialized medical insurance such as short-term and long-term disability in case you are hurt and cannot work for a specified amount of time.

The key message is don’t wait for an emergency to get prepared.  Taking a few simple steps now can help a to ensure that your family is financially prepared to weather any storm.