Coupon Queen: Tips to trim your clothing budget

I'm about as girly as they come; I'm never without my lip gloss, cute shoes are a must, and shopping for fabulous pieces for my wardrobe is a favorite pastime of mine. Of course, saving is a must, so here are a few ways that I slash my clothing budget by more than 50 percent. Think before you buy I love to go shopping, but buying isn't always necessary. As part of our monthly budget, I've allotted a section to cover clothing for our family. If we don't use the amount in that month, it gets carried over to the next. Because of this budget, I think before making a purchase. Do we need this? Is it a must? Can it be used in multiple ways? Know where to shop There are places where I love to browse, and there are places where I love to buy. When shopping, I look for quality pieces and low prices. Retail chains such as Burlington, TJMaxx and Marshall's sell brand-name clothes cheaper than many department stores. These places are great for my husband and teens. Stores like H&M and Forever 21 sell inexpensive garments whether they are on sale or not. Buy items that go with multiple outfits Buying clothes that work for various occasions saves you from buying a separate wardrobe for many events. Grabbing a blouse that works both with your pencil skirt at work and a pair of jeans for a casual night out is a money saver. Plan ahead Start planning now if you know you have an upcoming party to attend or a family vacation. You'll have more time to shop sales or check out the thrift stores by shopping early. Last winter, I was able to grab a $5 dress at a thrift shop in February for a wedding we were attending in June. I could have easily spent more than $50 on a similar dress if I had waited to shop. Next time you head out to shop for clothes, try out a few of my tips. Remember, you don't have to spend a million bucks to feel like it. This week's deal Here's a deal to grab this week at Walgreens Buy two select Colgate Toothpastes — $4 each Use the $4/2 Colgate Toothpaste digital manufacturer's coupon (found online or the Walgreens app — limit 1) Pay $4 Get back $4 Walgreens Cash* = 2 for free * Walgreens Cash can be spent like cash in the store. Rachel Krych is passionate about helping others spend less and save more. In addition to her weekly column, she has a blog, Couponing With Rachel, which earns her compensation from Google for ads it places there, and from entertainment marketers whose promotional codes she touts. She doesn't write about entertainment in her column. Email her at couponingwithrachel@hotmail.com.