How to Choose What Shoes to Buy

Money isn't always readily available to spend on fun things, like shoes. So, you will probably have to choose what shoes to buy since you can't just buy them all. It's easy to choose what shoes to buy if you decide on footwear that is both practical and fun. Choosing the right shoes is about making the right choices in footwear, and still having fun shopping for shoes.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Before you choose what shoes to buy, look at the inventory of shoes that you already have at home. When you are a shoe shopaholic, you probably have piles of shoes that you completely forgot about.
   
   Take a look at the shoes that you have at home. Make two piles, one of the shoes that you want to keep and ones that you can part with. Make an inventory of the shoes that you want to keep. Write down style (dress, casual, work) and color, so you do not buy shoes that are too similar to the footwear that you already have.

2. Sell the shoes that you no longer want. Make some money off of your unwanted footwear - you can use that money to buy some new shoes. After all, your old shoes may be on someone else's footwear wish list.

3. Look at your list of shoes. Find out where the gaps are and what types of shoes you need. Write down the kinds and colors of shoes that you need to buy. This will allow you to keep focused when you visit a mall or shoe store.

4. If you truly love a pair of shoes but they are worn out, repair them. It is less expensive to repair a pair of great shoes than it is to buy a whole new pair.

5. Be realistic when you choose what shoes to buy. Splurge on the pair of shoes that you'll wear most often. If you love the shoes, you won't want them to wear out. For example, you may want to spend a lot on versatile winter boots. Also, invest in your workout sneakers. These will have to support your feet during tough exercise.

6. Save money on work shoes and shoes that you'll only wear once in a while. Chances are that you'll wear different shoes on casual days or to work based on your outfit or the season. You can easily maintain shoes that you don't wear too often. You can spend less on this footwear and still make it last.

7. If you must buy a lot of shoes, buy shoes at thrift stores or discount stores. If you can buy two pairs of inexpensive shoes for the same price as one expensive pair, go for the two inexpensive pairs. And, if you get bored of them quickly, sell them and make a portion of your money back.

8. When you choose what new shoes to buy, think about basics. If you are torn between a basic black pair of shoes and crazy polka dot or leopard print shoes, go with the basics.

9. If you really crave crazy colorful shoes, go for an inexpensive version. You'll probably wear them a few times before you get sick of them, and besides, they'll hardly match any outfits. Spend less on shoes that you'll wear less.