As anyone who’s ever lost ten pounds can attest, sometimes it can be fun to tighten your belt. Financial challenges can bring us many opportunities to think creatively and demonstrate our own, sometimes very unique sense of style and glamour. I have a sneaking suspicion that these tips, if followed will not only make for some outstanding emergence of recessionista flair, but make us all wonder why we were wasting so much of our security on the fashion sense of others, instead of developing our own.

Well, I was never a “Fashionista”, I started cutting back even before the bailout. As a “Recessionista”, I’d cut back on my Netflix from 3 to 1, didn’t buy the new watch band, sell on Ebay(not purchase), cut back on my wine club memberships. Not sure what I am now, “In The Poor Houseista”? Last night went into further debt after taking my cat in for emergency surgery. $1295.00 more into debt. I’m tired, scared and in a really bad mood. This morning I was looking around the condo I rent, trying to find things for a garage sale. I created some web pages over the weekend. Then sent some information and the links to colleagues in hopes of getting a job or part time work. Anyone wanted to have a basic web page created, let me know. Maybe we can help each other. My job is ending soon, credit card debt, don’t want to use my 401K. I know other people have it much worse, but I feel as if I’ve reached my limit.

If it were not so sad and true I would find this article funny. Well…..actually it is still funny as it was well done and well said. Although only a select few are truly able to afford those items on the left hand side the alternatives are not bad either. This is a prime example for when times were good, one having invested in timeless modern classics that never go out of style and can be worn, year after year, pay’s off. All one has to do is add a scarf for a splash of color and have a rotation of blouses to dress up and add flair to those suits. I also save alot of money as I do my own hair and nails, my travel covers itself due to the perks of job as well as always on the hunt for the bargain. For me, it makes no sense to throw good money away on items that are over priced, when you can find the same thing at a discount.

Translated from the British? Here’s a paraphrase from a brit comic whose name I have misplaced: “You say toilet, we say loo. You say sidewalk, we say pavement. You say elevator, we say lift. You say Wall Street elite, we say greedy little bastards.”

Oh Goodie, I’m in fashion again. I’ve been a “Recessionista” my whole life. The most important point to remember here is “recess.” You know, that time when we are let outside (barring rain of course) to play and let off pent up energy. Recess was always an enjoyable part of the school day. Inventiveness is always in fashion. Injoy.