Extravagant Costs of Underwear

Hi Frugalicious People,

Why is it that underwear is so EXPENSIVE?! A bit of stretch fabric and maybe some lace to pretty it up. Each year when I look for a couple of new items I am shocked at the ridiculous prices. Being on the Rubenesque side of things, I can not find inexpensive little numbers. So paying 50% of my food budget to hold my boobs up?! Is a No Way - I don't think so, situation - well this week that's for sure because I'm feeling extra frugalicious.

With an increasing need to lift my Balcony to better heights I wandered into an op shop near a public library I was visiting and there... behold my eyes, was a rack of brand spanking new bras for $6.99. Original Target price tags of $39.99 still attached. I tell you, those who look and wait an extra day are often happily rewarded!

So my lovely Blogland friends go and take a look at your local charity shops - there might be some brand new underwear in your size just waiting to help your body lift its game.

Are you willing to go looking in your local charity shop for that tiny bit of stretchy fabric?

To all ladies having to pay the extra costs for having extra flesh (like I do) I wish you luck on your hunt,

Stephanie @ Frugal Down Under.
(FB - Link)

Thrift Finds This Week

This week I went op shopping twice and spent a total of $7.50.

This is what I purchased:

• Trousers for work as my favourite pair is worn out and no longer suitable $1.00
• A fun pair of green trousers for weekend play $1.00
• A pair of gold metalic trousers (poor photo) for crafting or Dolly's birthday party (maybe for decorations) $1.00
• A pretty hair clip/brooch $1.00
• A silver tray for Dolly's birthday party food .50 cents.
• Free broken jewellery was given by the shop assistant as she knows we like to craft.

Amazing Stash for $4.50

A sweet white skirt for? I don't know - I just loved it too much!!! The lace, quality and sewing is beautiful $1.00
A pretty floral top for the fabric and buttons $1.00
A cute shirt for my market stall $1.00

Pretty, Pretty and Pretty for $3.00

Now I have to go and find the same or bigger amount of stuff to leave our home. I have some clothes that need to be ragged or tossed. They can not be on my clothes hangers anymore as they are beyond acceptable at work.

Did you obtain any thrifted, second hand or gifted goodies lately?

Do You Have Ideas For Men's Shirts?

My partner of 19 years, The Rambling Expat did a big clean out after I complained he was taking so much more clothes space then I did. In his sorting he found 12 work shirts he no longer wears to work because of ripped pockets, worn out collars or stains that will not scrub out.

Men's Shirts.

I don't want to be a hoarder and I am trying to declutter. However these are made of good cotton fabric. As many of my readers know, I'm aiming to not buy new and save more, spend less, so I'm having a hard time throwing these shirts out.

I'm thinking I will use some fabric to make 4 handkerchiefs for The Rambling Expat who often suffers from sinus issues and a runny nose. Now this will only use up 2 shirts. Then I was thinking I could make a 2 more shopping bags similar to the library one I made here for Dolly, so that's another 4 shirts, still leaving me with 6 shirts.

Do you have any other ideas for me? I'm looking for practical, easy to make stuff that we can use in our everyday life or even fun gifts for people in our lives. I don't need rags or cleaning cloths as I have many from other old worn out clothes. Come on, let your suggestions reign :-)

Australian Women Spend $3000 a Year On Clothes!

Apparently the average Australian woman spends $3000 a year on clothes and accessories. I guess I'm not average. In the past 16 months I spent roughly $300 on new & second hand clothes for myself.

Yes - I like Red, White and Black!

These are the new clothing items I purchased in 2011.

• 2 bras (far out! They are expensive pieces of fabric, lace and wire) 
• 2 pairs of work trousers (boring - yawn...) 
• 2 work tops (wasted money - cheap & nasty quality)
• 1 packet of knickers (much needed)
• 1 handbag in Paris sales (dud - doesn't like the tropical heat much)

This year I have an envelope with $180 tagged for clothes and accessories shopping for myself. I hope to have fun and funky it up a bit on this budget as I love quirky clothes with a bit of a twist. Maybe my new tentative steps in crafting will allow me to create crazy alterations to op shopped clothes. (My $20 a month budget for flipping and markets will not be part of my own clothing budget).

How much are you going to spend on clothes and accessories?

1. $3000?
2. Much less?
3. Nothing at all?

Tell all - spill your beans... hang out your dirty laundry...