What need will this item fill for me?
Ask yourself if you need the item. Do you really need eight short black skirts? Take a moment to visualize what you will wear with it. If the only thing that comes to mind is the twenty-year-old mini-skirt you haven’t squeezed in since Thanksgiving of 1989, pass up the bargain.

Will you need to buy something else to make it work? Even basic colors like navy or tan can have dozens of different shades, so be wary of buying single pieces, hoping to match them. However, remember that you can pair contrasting colors like deep purple and soft yellow or navy and lavender for a pleasing palette.

Can you afford it? Even if that London Fog raincoat is drastically reduced, do you really have $85 to spare? If you do, go for it. Classic pieces are always a good investment. Lastly, do you honestly like it, or is it the lure of the lurid orange markdown tag? Don’t fall into the “bargain” trap.

Clearance clothing racks are a haven for markdown mavens. Other than undergarments, I never buy full price clothing for my family or myself. My children ages nine and six are already learning to be smart shoppers. I often find new clothing cheaper than I could at garage sales or thrift stores.