One of the greatest things about living with 23 other ladies is that we all had access to 23 other wardrobes. Most residents were approximately the same size, and most seemed to possess a similar American-girl-who-studies-abroad-Bohemian-chic aesthetic. With the general feeling of cooperativeness in the air, we all got to be pretty generous with our stuff and an open-closet policy reigned. I knew that if I didn't currently possess the perfect scarf or necklace to polish off an outfit, somebody else did and would happily share. A single flattering dress might travel to 10 different events on 10 different wearers in a semester. Size 8 black flats were the gift that kept on giving.
Unfortunately, I graduated.
I immediately felt the pinch. In the real world, in my apartment shared with craigslist strangers, my wardrobe and options shrank. I didn't really have that much more money, or any more closet space, but all I had were my own sorry clothes. I resented every time I had to invest in yet another pair of fancy shoes to match some dress that I would probably wear twice. I carried the same neutral bag always. I started wearing four go-to outfits over and over, wondering if everyone who had to look at me was as bored with my clothes as I was. My only good solution was to move to Belize for awhile, where no one gave a sh*t when I wore the same pair of shorts all week.
But this post is not specifically about clothes. It's about following the shining example of the cooperative house, expanding your options, and getting what you need without spending extra cash.
In your 20s, there are so many occasions, trips, adventures, etc. which require special equipment or clothes. Which in turn, requires spending extra money on something you may not really need more than once or twice. I encourage everyone to take a moment and reflect on how you can pool your resources with your friends, roommates, family, coworkers. Here, for example, is a list of some things I have borrowed this year, and approximate money I have saved:
Roommate's Car for trip to NH ($140 in car rental)
Tent ($70 - $100)
Dry bags ($70)
Cocktail dress for wedding ($100)
Rucksack for checking my backpack and its flailing straps to Honduras ($35)
Hot rollers ($25)
Studio apartment in NYC (I have no idea. Astronomical)
Sari ($100?)
Books (from the library and friends) ($$$$$$$) (yes this totally counts).
Here are some things I have loaned:
Sport sandals ($50)
Sleeping bag ($75)
Sleeping bag compression sack ($25)
Cocktail dress ($110)
Headlamp ($30)
Dressy flats ($65)
As you can see, my generous friends and I have saved ourselves a fair amount of cash this way. And in addition to keeping your money in your wallet, you'll also prevent yourself from acquiring lots and lots of crap that you will one day have to move. Trust me, if you saw my parents' basement, you would understand why this is important.
So go forth, borrow, loan, and stop acquiring extra junk! And keep in mind these few tips:
1. Return stuff in good condition. Dry clean saris, sweep out tents, and replace batteries.
2. Be just as willing to share as you are to borrow.
3. If you need something and you don't know where to start, try posting something on facebook, twitter, and all that other social media crap. You might be surprised at the responses you get.
4. Respect people's boundaries. For example, my roommate is very generous with her car, but I wouldn't ask to borrow her clothes. Just how it is.
