I work in a dress shop , I never in my 70 plus years had so many skirts and tops, but I get a big discount and made employee of the year which came with a 500.00 gift card for the shop. I am all set for the rest of my life, if stay the same weight. Usually I shop in thrift shops.

This of course is in reference to the $150,000 they used to dress up The Palin person and her family. Appalling. When most families don’t know where or when their next pay check is coming; how they will feed their families or at the very least now using money earmarked for future expenses to pay bills, this shows such a lack of understanding, such self-absorption….it boggles the mind. While I found Michelle Obama’s “I’m wearing a dress from Target” moment a little patronizing, it was far less offensive than $150,000. Sorry, you can dress her up but you still can’t take her out.

With five growing children to take care of, there were about 25 years when I don’t think I bought a shred of clothing for myself. And then, coming into the summer of 2002, I looked like a slug in everything I owned. So I decided it was okay to take myself on a shopping trip. I didn’t even spend a hundred dollars my first time out, and a lot of that was panties, but it worked wonders for my sense of self to actually be trying things on and selecting what looked best on ME! Before the summer was over, I’d bought myself a new bathing suit for the first time since high school…and I had tan! It was fun. In spite of all my gurus, my innate confidence and self-esteem level is low. So if I’m gonna show up for anything, the first hurdle to get over, for me, is to at least feel like I’m not draped in some embarassing piece of clothing I found in a rag-bin. I am way too sensitive to how people look at me. I’m very selective, and I refuse to pay full-price for anything, but since I came to recognize the personal benefit of that first shopping trip, I’ve been giving myself two shopping trips each year, refreshing my spring and summer wardrobe in the fall and my fall and winter wardrobe in the spring. I don’t think I spend more than $1,000 each year, maybe I do, if you count shoes. But I take something to Goodwill for every new piece I bring home. And with seven grandchildren, I still spend more on birthdays and Christmas than I spend on myself…but I do spend on myself now. And it’s good thing.

Fortunately, I missed getting the shopping gene and I hate crowds. The clothes all look alike for the most part and most stores carries the same items. The internet provides a sufficient options and convenience.

I have a rule - “Check Marshall’s first, then go up ” I work at home so my clothing needs are pretty simple, comfort first, but we are at the age when all of our friends children are getting married … except mine, unfortunately, but I won’t go there ….. so I need dressy outfits. We also go to a few Charity events every year. There is a wonderful shop in my town that has the most beautiful, medium high end clothes, I wish I could buy everything there, but I will buy a beautiful silk jacket in the $300 range and pair it with dress pants from Marshall’s and wear it to several events … as long as the groups of friends is different, of course, I will admit to a healthy dose of vanity. THIS year, though, all bets are off, I am going into the closet to recycle one of those jackets !

I have a rule - “Check Marshall’s first, then go up ” I work at home so my clothing needs are pretty simple, comfort first, but we are at the age when all of our friends children are getting married … except mine, unfortunately, but I won’t go there ….. so I need dressy outfits. We also go to a few Charity events every year. There is a wonderful shop in my town that has the most beautiful, medium high end clothes, I wish I could buy everything there, but I will buy a beautiful silk jacket in the $300 range and pair it with dress pants from Marshall’s and wear it to several events … as long as the groups of friends is different, of course, I will admit to a healthy dose of vanity. THIS year, though, all bets are off, I am going into the closet to recycle one of those jackets !

Since I buy most of my clothes at thrift stores I spend very little yearly. If something is bought new, it must be an extreme bargain, at least 1/2 off. Clothes made for us big girls are SO UGLY there is no incentive to go shopping in clothing stores. Clothing construction is shoddy and the fabrics will not hold up. I have started buying underwear online so as to avoid dept. stores! So, I will continue to look like a frump in my comfortable, loose fitting clothes.

HA HA ! What a Big Joke to ask that Question .Maybe they could send us all some clothes of Palins ..I couldnt personally wear them but I know someone who would ..I only buy SOC’s and I have never bought a Bra until this year ..I went to JC PENNY’s and I was LOST a LOST SOUL ..I didnt even know what Size I am ! Women were looking @ me ..I was laughing like a Nut I am ..I couldnt believe I had some money to BUY a BRA ! I got the deal buy 2 get one FREE deal !But now I am loosing weight …and so are my boobs ..I bought a 38 C!!! I have always been a 34 or 32 B …When I went to the cashier I started to cry …And all my life I have nothing but Hand Me downs and I have bought shoes @ Dollar General …that was my fault ..I spent my Hard Earned Money on Step-Kids shoes ..I was paying $100 for Michael Jordan shoes …My step kids made me feel GUILTY …everyone esle was wearing those shoes they said …I had to buy $3 shoes @ Dollar General ..for myself …my fault …and I wished I had never bought them those shoes …If I had it to do over again …I would of went to Wal Mart to get the shoes while they were in School …That was the 1990s …and of course things where good while Clinton held office ….I guess I thought things would aways be that good ..and I could eventually get to buy myself some cool stuff when they all moved out and got married …But then came Bush and he just Made my Life a Living Hell !

I spend well over a $1000 or more but the next year, I sell them all, so I’m not really spending that much.