With a tight economy, saving money is the new hottest trend. As much as 70 percent of all purchases are unplanned. Shopping for clothes can be a challenge for anyone. Stores seduce shoppers with words like  “Special!” or “Hot Deal!” mean the same as “On Sale!”  Realize that shopping for sales requires patience and knowledge of what wardrobe basics to purchase each season to complement your lifestyle. Saving money on clothes does not have to mean sacrificing fashion, as there are many ways to get stylish and affordable clothes for a great price.

It may take a few hours of shopping to locate the best deals on clothes, and it also requires a whole lot of browsing. Sale items are often hidden between more expensive clothes and can be overlooked. Shopping like a  stylist  is a skilled that can be acquired by following the following tips.

• Make a list of items you need before you head to the mall so you won’t be tempted to buy something just because it’s on sale. When you see something you like, decide if you can mix and match it with at least three other pieces in your wardrobe.

• Most clothes go on sale about two to four weeks after their initial arrival at the store. Thursday and Friday mornings are a great time to shop. Many stores start their weekend sales on these days. You can purchase your items on sale minus the rush and crowds of Saturday sale shoppers.

• Ask a salesperson when the store does its markdowns and sales. Mark the information on your calendar so you won’t forget. Sign up to receive newsletters from your favorite stores so you can find the best buys easily. Request email notifications to help you stay abreast of specials and promotions.

• Approach trends with caution. Avoid buying items that are so trendy that you won’t ever feel comfortable wearing them once you take them home. Don’t invest heavily in trendy items as they come and go out of style very quickly.

• For the most effective shopping experience, try hitting the stores when they first open to beat the crowds. Wear comfortable shoes and if you are trying to find the perfect outfit for a pair of shoes already purchased bring it along with you.

• Try on items to see what suits your age, body type and personality. Also keep in mind what will work with the rest of your wardrobe.

• Once merchandise has been in stores a month or more, retailers begin dropping prices to circulate new items. Stores begin stocking shelves on Thursday to prepare for the weekend. Weekends are when most items are sold, so the best selection and best prices can be found if you make it to the store before the weekend.

• The best time for a person to buy shoes is in the afternoon. This is because the feet tends to swell a bit around this time. When you first get up in the morning, your feet have rested all night. But as you go through the day, your feet will swell.

• Save additionally by shopping at the end of the season. Clothing stores need to make room for new collections and will mark down clothing significantly to reduce stock. Shop off-season  and buy items that will last for more than one season. You can get the best markdown when you buy things that have been in the store for a while.

• The biggest sales are often in January and June/July, when most retailers are clearing out seasonal stock. You can find cheap clothes for winter in February and early March. Start stocking up on next summer’s attire in late August and early September.

• Shop with cash and leave the credit card and debit cards at home. Cash is tangible and allows you to see just how much you’re spending. It’s easier to overspend when you’re using a credit or debit card. In addition, credit card interest fees can add up quickly, making your purchase a lot more expensive than you expected.

• Shop at factory outlets or discount stores to find designer clothes and accessories at lower prices. They’ll either stock “irregulars” (that have manufacturing flaws invisible to the untrained eye) or pieces that just went out of season.

• Always ask about a store’s return policy. Some stores have a generous cash back return policy in which virtually anything can be returned with a receipt. However, other stores can only give you store credit or a combination of store credit and cash back after a certain number of days has passed.

When it comes to saving on clothes, you don’t have to sacrifice quality or fashion to look your best. By buying out of season, searching for online deals, clipping coupons and using cash, you’ll save lot’s of money in your wallet. Don’t let a good price be the deciding factor on a clothing purchase. Make sure you only buy things you really love and will wear.

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Charmaine Mills is the President and Founder of Advance Image and Etiquette Consulting; a company committed to providing valuable information and tools to assisting individuals in attaining greater confidence and personal effectiveness.  Her  mission is to empower and assist individuals to project an image that marks them as a leader and a winner. She believes passionately in the enormous, untapped potential that resides within each person and she is committed to providing individuals and corporations with tools of knowledge and skills they can use to unlock their potential. Please contact info@advanceimageconsulting.ca or 416.206.6846 for additional information. Visit the website for a complete listing of services http://www.advanceimageconsulting.ca.

~ First class image coaching/consulting for men and women. Face to face meetings, telephone coaching and virtual/online services available for domestic and international clients. ~

A well groomed man always turns heads. Grooming and personal care are becoming more and more important to men. For decades, the attention has been on the grooming habits of women, now more men are aware of the incredible benefits of grooming.

Advancements in grooming and changes of attitudes have allowed men to take care of their hair, skin and nails in ways that men never have in the past.  The male grooming market is a $3.5 billion industry and growing especially among baby boomers and generation X-ers.

It’s never too late to develop a grooming regime.  A simple everyday skin care regime is essential for a great image.  Look and feel your best every day with these grooming tips:

• It is important to determine the type of skin you have in order to practice proper daily skin care. Skin types can include normal, dry, oily, sensitive and even a combination of types. Based on your skin type, you should purchase products that are appropriate for your skin type. Wash your face on a regular basis with a facial cleanser.  Do not use soap on your face as most body soaps are too strong for facial use.

• After cleansing apply a light moisturizer to keep your skin rejuvenated, refreshed and wrinkle free. Using a moisturizer with a SPF is great for sunburn prevention, premature aging and will lower the risk of cancer.

• Exfoliate twice a week to remove dead skin cells and promote healthy skin cell growth. Use a mild scrub to eradicate dead skin cells and open up the pores of your skin to prepare it for a close shave.

• A smooth shave is always nice to look at and enhances your image. The best time to shave is after your shower.  Using a good shaving cream and a good quality razor, shave against the direction of the hair growth. The technical term for razor bumps is pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) and the primary cause is shaving with a dull blade. The best way to deal with razor bumps and ingrown hairs is to develop a before and after shaving system.

• Dental hygiene is just as important as taking care of your body; brush and floss your teeth daily. You will be able to smile knowing there is no embarrassing food particles between your teeth. Keep up with scheduling your dentist appointments (preferably twice a year or more) for cleanings.

• Maintaining a flattering hair cut is important to a man’s image. A good clean hair cut will always create a positive impression and maximum appeal. Use a shampoo that is appropriate for your hair type to keep it in optimum condition. If you are prone to dandruff it’s worth investing in medicated shampoo to treat it. Product build up, a dry scalp and even stress are just a few reasons why dandruff occurs. Balding hair looks best short, very short. Never comb long hair over the top of a balding head.

• Grooming is incomplete without particular care to the hands and nails. Keep your nails short, trimmed and dirt free; also remember not to bite them. A man’s fingernails should be no longer than the skin on his fingertip.  Don’t forget to use a good moisturizer to prevent dry, chapped hands. Pay attention to cuticles and hangnails. Buffing your nails is a great way to keep them healthy without looking artificial. Treat yourself to a monthly manicure and pedicure.

• Leaving the house looking and smelling good will give you self confidence, and that air of command or confidence makes you very attractive. Fragrance is a personal preference, and you really must find the one that works best for you. Do not use too much, less is more when it comes to fragrance. Excessive use can trigger allergies and other ailments in some individuals.  A subtle fragrance is more pleasing to the senses than an overwhelming one.

• Drinking plenty of water is good for your health and for your skin. Drink at least 8 glasses of water each day to keep your skin hydrated. Water is proven to help keep your skin clear and healthy. The human body is 55% to 78% water depending on body size. Every cell in your body needs water from head to toe, that is why it is so important to drink enough fluid.

• Remove any visible hair in the ears and nostrils. Take care of your eyebrows and trim them occasionally. You can have them shaped professionally to “open up your eyes”. Remember to brush them up before you leave for the day. Ensure trimming and upkeep is part of your grooming regime.

• Dry chapped lips are an image breaker.  Your lips have fewer than half the cellular layers of the rest of your face, and no sebaceous glands to provide protective body oil. When moisture in lips decreases, lips become dry and cracked. To keep your lips looking great use a good lip balm to prevent chapping

First impressions are powerful! They influence. Impeccable grooming is part of the success equation; develop  a simple grooming regime today stay on top of your game.

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Charmaine Mills is the President and Founder of Advance Image and Etiquette Consulting; a company committed to providing valuable information and tools to assisting individuals in attaining greater confidence and personal effectiveness.  Her  mission is to empower and assist individuals to project an image that marks them as a leader and a winner. She believes passionately in the enormous, untapped potential that resides within each person and she is committed to providing individuals and corporations with tools of knowledge and skills they can use to unlock their potential. Please contact info@advanceimageconsulting.ca or 416.206.6846 for additional information. Visit the website for a complete listing of services http://www.advanceimageconsulting.ca.

~ First class image coaching/consulting for men and women. Face to face meetings, telephone coaching and virtual/online services available for domestic and international clients. ~

Having an image that is of a consistently high standard projects a message of quality and self confidence; it increases your responsiveness to your clients and colleagues, and removes the attention of yourself and onto the needs of the ones you are serving.

As people begin to see your name and become aware of the benefits and knowledge that you offer, before you know it thousands of people will not only know who you are but they will begin to seek out your services and expertise. They will identify with your brand which is you.

1.  Don’t overlook the power of a good first impression. People make amazing assumptions about your professional  credibility and potential performance based upon your appearance during a first meeting. It’s very difficult to overcome a poor first impression, regardless of your knowledge or expertise.

2.  Be notable! Identify the components that differentiate you. How do you stand out among the other options? Perfect an eloquent descriptive and memorable introduction of yourself and your position. To promote yourself effectively, you must know (and be able to articulate) who you are and why you do what you do.

3. Ultimately, it is always the person who dignifies the position, and not the position that dignifies the person. If we want others to take us seriously and view us as a professional, we must first view ourselves as one.

4. Body language is defined as a type of communication between one or more persons which does not utilize verbal words. Instead, body language is read by each person by carefully watching the facial  expressions, hand gestures, posture, and movements made by another person.  Body language can dominate the spoken words.

5. Raise your professional and personal standards until even you are impressed. The pursuit of excellence is not only politically correct it is also highly profitable. Do not settle for mediocrity.

6. You are always making visual statements. No matter where you are going or what you are doing, you are telling people something about yourself.  Thinking “big picture” means that to get where you want to be in three years, for example, you may have to pay extra close attention to those visual statements you are making today.

7. Invest in quality instead of quantity. Have clarity about the purpose you are buying for. Don’t spend money on something that doesn’t look great on you even if it’s almost free! Dress better than you have to and don’t be afraid to stand out from the crowd.

8. One of the main elements of an introduction is your smile, or at the very least, a pleasant facial expression. A smile sends a positive message and adds warmth and an aura of confidence. Others will be more receptive if you remember to check your expression.

9. Managing your attitude is an important business tool for every successful leader.  Your attitude is infectious and drives behavior, make it work for you.

10. There is power in perception. To those you meet, how you are perceived is who you are. What kind of image are you projecting? Remember, your career could depend on it.

At Advance Image & Etiquette Consulting our mission is help our clients build and sustain superior performance in all areas of their personal and professional life.

We conduct transformational Image & Etiquette consultations worldwide through teleseminars, phone coaching and face-to-face consultations. Our head office is based in Toronto, Canada.   http://www.advanceimageconsulting.ca

Inspirational Quote

“Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate, but that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us.

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.

There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.

And, as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Marianne Williamson –

Developing your self-image starts with building your self-esteem and truly loving and valuing the person inside. Good self-esteem means continuously working to improve yourself outside, while holding a healthy appreciation of the person you are inside and taking care of both.

Consider the trust factor. Clients need to trust that you are giving them good advice (selling them what they need, for example) and your image can exude trust or doubt. It’s very difficult to overcome a poor first impression, regardless of your knowledge or expertise.

Having good manners and etiquette is one of the most important components of professional dynamics. When meeting people both your nonverbal and verbal behavior help to define your social skills. Using effective handshakes, good eye contact, and making the proper introductions shows good etiquette.

To get ahead (and to stay ahead) in any career, pay attention to your workplace image as it is a powerful communicator.  The nonverbal messages your image sends can work on your behalf, or they can work against you.  Your clothing is a primary component of your image and it’s a potent communicator with its own coded language.

A professional image attracts investors and clients. It also sets your performance benchmark for your clients and motivates and elevates staff performance. Raise your professional and personal standards until even you are impressed. http://www.advanceimageconsulting.ca