Scratch That Itch--Recession Shopping

Okay, I'm no neuroscientist, but I'm pretty sure studies show that shopping releases endorphins, those feel-good brain chemicals that we produce when we exercise, have sex, or eat chocolate. Now all of the above come with a price tag (of sorts) but I'm not a big fan of self-denial, so I've devised a way to continue shopping and releasing this happy brain juice even in hard times. You can pick and choose from these four tips for successful recession shopping--easy on the bank account, good for your brain.

1. Shop in your own closet. You liked it the first time. I know, I know--people are always telling you to cull, get rid of anything you haven't worn in a year. Whatever. I say, give it a second glance, try it on, reinvent it. Everything comes back around eventually anyway (flared pants, leggings, high waists, platforms). If it still fits, just style it differently this time: hem it, add a scarf, a fitted jacket or cardigan, some attitude and voila--it's new again.

2. Thrift shopping is AMAZING because it rivals the rush you get from regular shopping but without the credit card bills. One of my friends recently found an actual Burberry trench coat in her size for $18.00 at my favorite thrift store. She wears it constantly and talks about it the way deer hunters brag about bagging a 12 point buck. Another friend snagged a pair of Hudson skinny jeans for about 3 dollars. She liked them even better when I told her they were designer, albeit British.

Another friend needed some professional work clothes but she couldn't afford to buy a whole new wardrobe. Two hours, 3 pairs of trousers, 1 skirt, 2 tops, 1 jacket, and 27 dollars later and she was stylish and polished. As her wardrobe consultant, I was giddy with pride, a regular Mother Theresa of fashion.

3. Girlfriend exchanges are great for getting rid of stuff and procuring new pieces. Here's how it works: tell your friends to gather up clothes and accessories they're not wearing. Invite them over; then everyone sets up a small shop in your living room, displaying their items. You all take turns selecting things from each other's shops. Whatever is left over can be donated. This one can be a lot of fun because it will likely involve trying things on, ridiculing bizarre items (What kind of manic state were you in when you bought a bolo tie?), and lots of bonding.

4. Shopping Bulimia. I saved this one for last, not because it's the best or the worst, but because it has the most shame on it, kind of a sticky layer of shame that can be washed off later. There are several levels to shopping bulimia so I'll keep it simple for now. First of all, you must save all receipts. When you notice that you haven't worn something and you're not likely to, bag it up and return to the scene. Return it for money or credit, whichever you need the most and the store agrees to. When something has gone past the return date (many stores allow only 30 days to return something), ditch the receipt and take store credit. Be vague about when you bought it. Sometimes you won't even want to purge something you've bought, but you see it's gone on sale and damn it, that should have been the price you paid. Return it and buy it back later; after a shift change is good. Be careful with this one; it's not as wholesome as the others and it can be addictive, so tread lightly.

My point here is that you shouldn't have to give up something as enjoyable as shopping just because the economy is in shambles, but if you follow these tips you can have your Kate Spade and eat it too.