by Aisling Ashbery

Created on: August 31, 2010

The idea of shopping for shoes on a low budget can be downright scary.  Page through any style magazine and try to find a pair for under $100 – just try!  Though the fashion magazines might not have us believe it, there are ways that you can buy shoes on a shoestring budget.  Take a look at a few of these tips and ideas, and you might be surprised at what you find.

1. Shop at the end of the season. 

If you are a patient person and don’t need to have the latest styles immediately, wait until the end of the season to shop.  At the end of the season, stores are marking styles down left and right to try to make room for the new stock.  Remember, though, that store seasons are hyper advanced compared to regular seasons – summer shoes are probably on their way out starting in July or even earlier in many department stores. 

2. Shop the sales fliers.

Some people tend to discount the sales fliers, because they think that they are just gimmicks used to get people into the stores.  Well, actually that’s true – the thing not everyone realizes is that those “gimmicks” are often very low prices on items that might not come down again all season.  Target, at times, will have sales where an item can be fifty-percent off its regular price – that’s better than some clearance items!

3. Buy quality when you can.

It may seem slightly counterintuitive, but it does pay to invest in quality shoes when you can.  This doesn’t mean you should invest in something well-made but trendy – you want something that will last for seasons to come.  Examples are great workhorse shoes like flat boots for fall or leather pumps for the office.  If something is truly good quality and good materials, you’ll find that it will pay for itself – because if all goes according to plan, next year you won’t have to buy something new to replace it.

4. Don’t pass over thrift stores.

Some women shudder at the idea of buying shoes that someone else has worn.  Though it’s understandable why you might not want to wear someone else’s shoes, consider this: many thrift stores will receive new shipments from department stores when their merchandise becomes salvageable (when it hasn’t sold after its allotted clearance time).  Also, you can find shoes that are barely worn at thrift stores or especially consignment stores, and when you do find them, the prices really can’t be beat.

Though it may seem that buying shoes on a shoestring budget is impossible, you find that it truly is doable as long as you shop at the right time and keep your eyes open for the best deals.

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