From stylish summer sandals that won't give you blisters to the elusive winter boot that's both warm and trendy, the quest for the perfect pair of shoes can seem never-ending. And as the shoe boxes stack up in your closet, so too do the credit card bills.
Fortunately, you can keep your budget in check without giving up your shoe habit altogether. Here are six expert tips for saving money while staying fashionable from the ankle down.
GET FREE SHOES ON AMAZON
If you've found the perfect pair of shoes through an authorized reseller of your favorite brand on Amazon, you might be able to get it for free. Amazon issues a $50 gift card instantly upon credit approval when you apply for an Amazon Rewards Visa Card. So, if your dream shoes are under $50, you could pick them up for nothing.
Additionally, cardholders will earn 3 percent cash back on future Amazon purchases with the rewards card. Keep your eyes peeled for extra shoe savings with Amazon Gold Box Deals.
SHOP THE FACTORY OUTLETS
If there's a factory outlet mall in your area, consider visiting for deep discounts on designer merchandise. Many shoe retailers, including Adidas, Aerosoles, Famous Footwear and Nike, have homes at these outlets, which means you can get those pricier pairs at a discount. Kimberly Kong of The Sensible Stylista recommended picking up a coupon book at the mall to get even more discounts on your purchase.
"For an extra $3 or so, you can purchase a coupon book to save more cash," said Kong. "Some will even give them to you for free if you have an AAA card."
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FREE SHIPPING OFFERS
Take your shopping adventures online for access to exclusive discounts, like free shipping and exchanges on purchases. Sites like Zappos give you a chance to try before you buy with hassle-free returns and exchanges with no-cost return shipping.
SNAG DEALS AT THE HSN RETAIL OUTLET
If you find yourself admiring the shoes and accessories that appear on live shows at HSN Studios, then visit the HSN Retail Outlet in Largo, Fla., to pick up items at deep discounts.
The outlet is open Monday through Sunday, and the store receives new merchandise directly from the shows every week, according to an HSN Outlet associate. She went on to reveal that customers could find items for up to 75 percent off the regular prices. Some days, the store even runs its own sales for an additional discount.
SHOP AT A CONSIGNMENT STORE
If you're a fan of vintage fashion, or just want to explore shoe styles and designs from past seasons, head to the consignment store to buy gently used items at a discount. The experts at My Sister's Closet consignment store recommend paying attention to details like construction, quality of leather, stitching and seams to make sure you are picking up authentic merchandise.
GET REWARDED
If you use a rewards credit card regularly, check the terms to see if apparel and shoe purchases qualify for points or cash back. Some card issuers send out limited-time promotional offers on certain types of purchases _ like apparel or entertainment _ that earn you extra points or bonuses.
For example, Citi Dividend cardholders can earn 5 percent cash back at department stores when shopping with their cards during the holiday season, but they have to activate the offer after Sept. 15 to cash in on the deal.
