Be well-dressed without spending a fortune:
There are lots of ways that you can look great without selling an arm and a leg.  Here are some tips for getting the look for less:

• Bargain shop!  Several department stores carry name-brand items for much less than designer boutiques.  You might have to search, but you can usually find something really fun – and fashionable – if you look hard enough. 
• Name brands don’t make the outfit. Don’t feel that you have to pay an extra seventy dollars to get a shirt with a little company logo on the tag.  You should buy something for quality and the way it looks on you, not for the name on the label.  (But if you do want name-brand goodies, see the above tip.) 
• Be thrifty! If you’re feeling really adventurous, check out a second-hand store or a thrift shop.  Hidden among the piles of polyester pants and ruffled orange tuxedo shirts might be a great pair of vintage jeans. 
• Learn to accessorize cheaply!  If you buy a moderately expensive set of basics – a pair of jeans, a nice jacket – then you can dress it up with inexpensive tops, belts, shoes, etc. 
• Don’t be a total slave to fashion.  Usually, trends come and go like…very frequently.  If the style for today is a pair of hideous plaid pants that will cost you your first born and will probably be totally out tomorrow, don’t bother.  Remember, having the basics, and accessorizing well, is a great way to look good and keep some of your hard-earned cash. 
• Remember that it’s OK to occasionally splurge within reason.  If there’s something that you really want – whether it be clothing or something else – don’t feel like you absolutely can’t get it.  But if you do decide to let your cash burn a whole in your pocket, do it wisely, and try not to make it a habit. 

Buy hot items for hot prices:
Clothes are definitely not the only expensive things that we like to spend lots of money on.  Things like bags, electronics, and even beauty products (which are not just for girls anymore) can get pretty pricey.  Here are some tips on buying these sorts of goods for a good price: 

• So you want to buy the hottest new portable music player that starts with a vowel and ends with a word that rhymes with “mod,” but you can’t quite afford the $300 asking price?  No worries.  Lots of websites, such as those that compare consumer reports, can help you to determine which music players are just as good and not as expensive.  Additionally, online stores, such as overstock.com, often have great deals on electronics, jewelry, and other things tend to cost a pretty penny.  Ask a parent to help you order great things online and you’ll be amazed at what you can find. 
• Styling and personal hygiene products (yes boys, even for you) can be expensive, especially if you only buy “salon” products.  But here’s a useful (and economical) tip: most of the generic brand stuff (as in the products that are store-brand and not the ones with the designer labels) work just as well as the more expensive shampoos, face washes, nail files, etc. 
• Want your room to look like a master bedroom fit for royalty?  There are literally hundreds of ways to decorate your own space on a budget.  Do-it-yourself decorating is not only fun, but often less expensive than buying ready-made room accessories.  Also, it will let you add a personal touch.  Just be sure that you get a parent’s OK and supervision before you start anything major.
• As stated before, retail shops are known to mark their products up 300%. Have you ever wondered why they can have such huge sales, or why some places – maybe even in your local area are willing to haggle over prices. Everything is negotiable because the asking price is placed so high that no matter what – and regardless of what that car salesperson tells you – they are still making a profit. Find out where you can by things on wholesale. Stores like Sam’s Club, BJ’s, and Costco offer less expensive products in bulk. Outlets are another great place where you can find the same pair of jeans you saw a couple months ago, for a fraction of the price.
• If you are really into fashion, learn the trends. You will notice that halter tops, flare, wide leg, and boot cut jeans are in style. When our parents were younger, they wore bell bottoms, halter tops and platform shoes (which were “in” a few years back) too. You may also notice that some items they have are still in style or making a come back. Buy CLASSIC items. Things that won’t become passé or old-fashioned anytime soon – if ever. Ever heard your parents say that they owned something just like __ when they were younger? Take good care of your belongings and they can last a lifetime.

Use your money for things other than things:
Owning cool stuff can be fun, but there are also ways to make your money count without spending it on clothes and cars.  Pampering yourself every now and then certainly isn’t bad, but remember that your money can go a long way to help a lot of others in the world.  There are hundreds of charities and shelters that help millions of people each year, and offering them a donation –- of both your time and/or your money – is a great way to realize that some of the things that you may “need,” like the hottest new boots or video games, are secondary.   Here are a few charities that you might want to check out:

• The WARM2Kids Charitable Foundation gives grants and scholarships to school systems in need and helps students realize their full academic, social, and personal potential.
• Oxfam America is dedicated to helping those living in poverty around the world.  Currently, it is assisting thousands who were devastated by the recent tsunamis that have impacted several Asian countries. 
• The Peace Corps is an American-bases organization that sends volunteers to hundreds of countries around the world, helping with issues ranging from AIDS education, information technology, and environmental preservation. 
• Doctors Without Borders sends aid to victims of armed conflict, epidemics, and natural and man-made disasters, and to others who, because of social or geographical barriers, do not have health care.
• Habitat for Humanity builds affordable and sturdy housing for people world-wide.  Habitat strives to eliminate homelessness by providing shelter for thousands.  While this organization is affiliated with Christianity, the services provided are nondenominational. 
• The American Cancer Society works to find a cure for cancer, and provides thousands, both patients and non-patients, with information about the disease.  It is also a place for cancer patients to interact with one another and share stories and support. Medical research is not cheap however, so making even a small contribution is very helpful.

These are just a few of the countless charities and organizations that could use your donations.  There are thousands more (local and international, medical and social) foundations and organizations to which you can donate your time, items that you might want to get rid of, and/or money.