Whether or not we'd like to face it, we've been in a recession for quite some time now. Jobs: decreasing, pay raises: non-existent, taxes: high, wallets: empty- basically the economy stinks. However, there are highs in the midst of the lows. Growing up, my mom has always taught me savvy money-saving tips. She said you never know when a "rainy day" may come, so you always need to be prepared.

So how does one stay fabulous when frivolous items such as clothing, shoes and accessories are at the bottom of the "needs" list? Fear not, for I have come up with a list:

1. Be creative. As a kid, my mom never believed in spending much money for clothing, so I learned to be creative with my stuff-- wearing rainbow shoelaces on a pair of old shoes, doodling on sweaters/t-shirts, finding new combinations for outfits, the list goes on. Fast forward to current times... mix n' match your outfits in ways you never though possible. Out with the matchy-matchy (that was soo 1990s), in with the clashing of colors and prints. Look to fashion blogs for inspiration and see how people all over the world are cleverly putting together their outfits.

A few that I love: Who What Wear, The Sartorialist, Garance Dore, Lookbook.nu, Chictopia, and Sea of Shoes to name a few.

2. Shop smart. Words to the oblivious: sale racks are always in the back and for good reason. The stuff on the mannequins are nearly never on sale, neither are the ones in the window display. When walking into a store, bypass the greeters and walk directly towards the back and you will find your plunder. Recession pro: the sales. Do not buy an item only because it is a good deal, if you don't need it, it is still a waste of space and money. After you are done plowing through the mess of clothes and have or have not found any items to purchase, walk back towards the front of the store to "window-shop" for ideas. See how they have put together outfits and take note of how you can use the items you already have to re-create a look.

3. Be selective. If you ask my husband, he will tell you that I bring in a scary amount of clothing to try in the fitting rooms and come out with one item or none. Be super picky with what you intend on purchasing, no matter the cost. Unless it is a good deal and you can sew, make sure the item fits well and that the colors flatter your skin tone. Not every color is meant for every "color."

4. Shop second-hand. I know some of you may cringe at the thought of this, but there is treasure to be found in these messy, horribly-lit stores. I have found leather bags and bottoms for $1. If it's more than $5, you can probably find it at Target (unless it's a designer brand) and probably isn't worth it. Remember, you are not paying for the atmosphere, so be focused with what you intend on buying. Just steer away from the underwear...

5. Accessorize. Forever 21 is the goldmine of cheap accessories. A scarf, bold necklace, earrings, etc. can instantly update your outfits for less than $10. The dollar store can also have an array of random accessories. Pair them with basics and you're set.

6. Back to the basics. Something as understated as a simple basic tee can look fantastic with accessories or paired with practically anything. Stock up on these items as they never fade with the trends and can be easily updated. For these, it may be worth it to spend a little extra money.

7. Budget. Vowing never to spend a dime for an entire year on clothing is setting yourself up for failure. Be reasonable with yourself and set a practical budget for each month. If you have trouble maintaining it, have a friend keep you accountable.

8. Be content. Sometimes we're so focused on buying that we neglect the things in our closet. Some of us may even have tags still hanging on our clothes. Before you shop, take a good look at your closet and ask yourself if you really need another pair of jeans or shoes. Appreciate what you already have and be creative with your wardrobe.

My inspiration blog: http://douceurvivre.blogspot.com

Sarah Jessica Parker in regards to her fashion line, stated that "Fashion is not a luxury." I would have to agree with this statement. Unless you have the income of the Olsen twins, most of us cannot afford to spend frivolously on frivolous items. Given the whirlwinds of trends that come and go, clothing, shoes, accessories and hair-cuts can cost you a pretty penny. Also, there's no need to spend more than you should on something that's considered an "un-necessity (we all know that girls have more than enough clothes)."

Trends

Trends come and go quicker than Paris Hilton's love interests. This means that there's no need to spend more than $20 on each item. At the same token, there is no need to pile up on trendy items all at once for the fear of looking like a fashion slave. Pick one item of focus and work the rest to go with it.

Accessories

Those of you who know me, know that I'm the queen of accessorizing. I cannot recount the number of times I've walked into Forever 21 and came out with nothing but a pair of earrings. There is nothing thriftier than buying accessories in order to update your wardrobe. Earrings, necklaces, bracelets, scarves, sunglasses-- they all do wonders. Tip: Don't layer too many necklaces or bracelets together, unless you want to be mistaken for 50 Cent's new girlfriend. Less is more.

Search: Forever 21, H&M, Target, Steve and Barry's, Loehmann's, Thrift Stores

Second-Hand/Vintage Stores

Where ever you go, you'll be sure to bump into one of these stores. Most people flinch and wrinkle their nose at the thought of wearing something second-hand but hey, a good dry cleaning or wash will get rid of most fears. It's incredible what you can find at some of these stores. My favorite find was a hand-tailored blue paisley shirt dress for $3 at the local Thift Store near my parent's house. I've also come across vintage leather bags for $1, I kid you not. It was during Salvation Army's 50% off Saturday special. Other great items of choice include scarves, ties, vintage leather purses, accessories and skirts from the 50s-60s.

Handbags

A great handbag stands out with any outfit, and is something worth investing in. Having one classic, sturdy, quality leather handbag (Italian leather is a good choice) will last you for years to come. They may cost more than your typical "trendy" bag, but quality ends up paying off in the end. However, spending hundreds of dollars on a designer label bag isn't the wisest choice and sometimes places you into a certain category of women (read: high maintenance). I say quality over label.

Search: Loehmann's, T.J. Maxx, Marshall's, Bluefly.com, Nordstrom's Rack

Question

They say the moment you stop questioning is the moment you stop learning. I say questioning also applies to shopping sprees. If you can't figure out multiple outfits to wear an item with, drop it. If you see yourself getting tired of a trendy item in a month, drop it again. If you can't wear it more than twice a month because it's either too flashy or dressy, drop it (unless it's under $10). Also, ask yourself if the item is worth the price tag.

Sweatshop-free Stores

Just because they're not paying little asian kids to make your clothes, doesn't mean that they're not making people work for under minimum wage in the U.S. It'll make you wonder when you discover that each "garment" made is only $0.50 earned. My take on it is that they're charging us more for a different kind of sweatshop labor.

Labels

For the love of all, one does not need to be a walking advertisement. Have you ever seen one of those wealthy-looking women that are covered head to toe in D&G, Fendi, fur, gold, etc.? Obviously, they were choosing label over style, let alone taste. Not only are you spending unnecessary amounts on the designer, you may be paying for the actual quality of the item. The only label you should be seeing would be located on a handbag, in tiny, tiny print; or better yet, invisible on the exterior (say goodbye to "Juicy" on your derriere).

Budget

Budgeting is everything when it comes to wise-spending. You'd be amazed by how much you spend each month if you kept track. Thanks to my wonderful Husband, I've learned to keep track of every, single expense (down to the last pennies). Set a reasonable limit for you and start from there. If you feel that it's still excessive in comparsion to your other expenses, lower it.

My challenge: Ladies, if you can spend under $100 on all personal expenses (including make-up, haircuts, etc.) in one month, props to you.

Momma's Words:

Since I was old enough to dress myself and braid my own hair, my mom always given me the best advice when it came to spending money. Below are the top 3 I've kept with me throughout the years:

1. Never shop at the front of the store, but veer towards the back area where all the sale racks are.

I say: Now that H&M and Forever 21 exist, this rule doesn't always apply

2. There's no need to spend more than $20 on a haircut, most of the time it looks the same anyway.

I say: do your research and ask around for recommendations. My friend suggested a great hairstylist who charges 18 bucks for long hair. Oh, and don't try cutting your own hair unless you really know what you're doing. I had been doing it for the past year and couldn't figure out why I my hair was so flat. After a professional haircut, I now know why.

3. Being well-dressed has nothing to do with the price or label of your clothing, it's all about how you carry yourself. If your personality stinks, nothing looks good.

I say: Can't argue with that one.