Splurge vs. Save

Hey, friends!  I don’t know about you, but I love me a good deal!  Sometimes I see things I really want, but the price tag is way too high, so I go hunting for a less expensive but still fabulous version…or sometimes I even make one myself!
Check out the latest great deals I scored and created.

This first one I’m particularly proud of because of the enormous savings. I came across this striking piece and thought it would be a great addition to my bracelet collection.

Large Tara Cuff: $147

It’s such a great statement piece; large and gorgeous but also neutral enough to match anything.  But I just can’t justify paying almost $150 for it.  Not when I have all the tools I need to make my own.  My version cost me less than $2…all I needed was the blank.  But even if you need to start from scratch and buy ALL the supplies, it’s still about 1/3 of the cost…check it out.

DIY Textured Cuff, $1.29
{even if you bought all the metal supplies including the block and hammers,
it would be less than $60!!}

Here’s another one.  Summer is the perfect time for all things nautical.  I love blue and white stripes, anchors, and all things ocean-y.  I also hate shorts…odd, I know.  I like them on other people, just not on me.  My dancer-legs are too thick at the top to look good in them, so I prefer to spend my summer in dresses and skirts.  Hubby never argues.  I spotted this gorgeous nautical dress on Polyvore, but ooh, I can’t swing that price tag, can you?

Striped Strapless Dress: L’Agence, $322

I found a similar style at J. Crew for about half the price, which was pretty awesome, but I still didn’t feel like paying that much for a casual summer dress…I know, I’m cheap.

Strapless Stripe Dress: J. Crew, $128

Fortunately, Old Navy came to the rescue!  How fun is this?  I love the royal blue color, the cut is super-flattering, the fabric is comfortable, and that’s a price tag I can handle for sure!  I paid the full price, but right now it’s on an amazing sale, so you can grab it even cheaper.
{PS. This one contains affiliate links.}

Strapless Striped Dress: Old Navy, $26.94 {on sale now for just $14!!!}

I actually love it so much that I have it in black too…because you can never have too many LBDs.  Isn’t it a great silhouette?!

And then there’s makeup.  Summer calls for bright, fun shades of lip color, like this one…  Hooray for hot pink!  And yet…$35.  Oy.  That’s seven trips to Starbucks.  Perspective, people.

Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in L’Exubérante , $35

I’m sure Chanel lovers can give me reasons why their lipsticks are worth the money, but my CoverGirl Lip Perfection works like a charm and it only sets me back five bucks.  It’s smooth and the color is incredibly vibrant.  This is my current favorite shade…ooh la la!

CoverGirl Lip Perfection in Bombshell, $4.94

What are some of your latest finds?  I love scoring a great deal or finding ways to make things for myself because then I can save my money and use it for important things {no, not just Starbucks} like my son’s school tuition, home projects we want to do this summer, and paying for our upcoming vacation.  Our family is proud of staying debt-free, aside from our mortgage, and we like to keep it that way by making smart spending choices.  That’s why I was pleased to share this post as part of the Splurge vs. Save campaign with Credit Card Insider.  What are some of your favorite ways to save money for the important things in life?