Everyone’s a little status-conscious. Even if you don’t necessarily want to admit it.
But wealth has always been tied to power, success and recognition.
All the things most people want. But how do we maintain a positive image when money is scarce?
Many people craft a meticulous illusion of luxury around their lives to command the respect and even envy of their peers.
But the goal is not to maintain an expensive aesthetic but to keep your home, and yourself, looking neat, clean and presentable for the rest of the world. Without looking like you shop at the 2 Ringgit Store.
How to Save Money and Look Good Doing It
Steer Clear of Knockoffs
Our first instinct in an attempt to look more “luxurious” is to buy cheap, knockoff brands.
To a keen eye (like someone who actually knows designer brands) you carrying a fake Gucci purse will just end up making you look even cheaper than if you had just bought a generic brand or a private label.
In fact there is nothing tackier than knockoffs.
And you’ll end up wasting your money anyway because they are often poorly made and have a short shelf life.
There are very few instances (for those with a trained eye) where a counterfeit has the same level of quality as designer (probably made in the same factory). But this is neither ethical nor legal.
Avoid Designer
On the other hand, even if you could afford a designer item, avoid buying them. Because number 1, most of your money is wasted on the label itself.
The quality of designer items is probably the same for another more affordable brand, even if they may be less well-known.
Two pairs of shoes made in the same factory with the same material and same manpower would naturally have the same manufacturing cost.
But slap on a designer label on one of them and suddenly the price skyrockets from RM20 to RM300. Such is the power of a luxury label.
Instead look for “dupes” where the quality is similar. That way while you get the same quality for a fraction of the price.
Embrace Minimalism
There has been a recent push towards minimalism in recent years when it comes to interior designing and fashion.
After all the first things that people pay attention to is what you wear and how your home looks.
From the type of furniture you buy to which kind of socks you wear on your feet. There is elegance in simplicity and minimalism is definitely one way to create an illusion of luxury.
Metallic, ceramic, wooden and glass products are usually the way to go with the minimalism lifestyle.
When it comes to fashion or furniture adherents to the movement prefer muted, earthy, or monochrome tones. Think whites, browns and greys.
Not to say you should avoid colour entirely just be mindful.
Quality Control
People know immediately if something looks cheap, and the main culprit is usually plastic.
Taking on the above advice, when buying anything for the kitchen or house or garden or bathroom, etc., stick to one or two colours. And stick to ceramic, stainless steel, wood or glass.
There are ways to get well-made items that can last a long time. And they won’t even cost a fortune!
Places like Daiso, Noko and Mr Dollar are some good places to look for relatively inexpensive everyday household accessories.
When it comes to things like clothes, avoid lace, silk or patent leather. Some fabrics don’t work well if you don’t pair them with the right things (which are often also expensive). Instead work with cotton or denim.
Thrift Wisely
Anyone who is on a budget will tell you that pre-loved clothes are the way to go.
But thrifting can be a double-edged sword, or a gold mine. Depending on your experience level.
For some, they snatch the cheapest thing right off the shelves if it looks even mildly wearable.
But when they get home they find moth holes, fraying hems and buttons hanging on by a thread. Never rush when thrifting and you may just find a few gems.
This also means you don’t look like you literally picked up your clothes from the donation pile. If you don’t want to thrift, there are cheap clothing stores.
Those that source merchandise straight from the manufacturer at a discount or take over cancelled items and clearance stocks. Examples include Brands Outlet and Reject Shop.
Keep it Clean, Keep it Classy
An immaculate aesthetic is important for projecting that illusion of luxury. This also means no stains, faded spots, tears, chips, scratches or rips.
Take care of your possessions and invest in high quality, long-lasting things.
And make sure to remove stickers or labels on things like vases and other decorative items.
If you can’t achieve an expensive look through blatantly ostentatious displays of wealth, a clean, crisp, almost sterile look is the next best thing. Too much colour, patterns, noise and will look messy.
This is what some people call maximalism but not many people can pull it off. That’s why you see a lot of rich people look cheap even though many of their clothes are designer.
Don’t be a Miser
Now we get to how you save money and protect your image while out and about in social occasions. If you go out with friends for a lady’s night pay for your own food and drinks.
But if you’re the one doing the inviting, then at least offer to pay for the tab.
If your friends suggest some place expensive, recommend somewhere cheaper but not a mamak stall or hawker centre. Be classy.
Or opt to host your lady’s night at your own place. This way you can maintain the quality of your finger food and beverage. Even if its with cheap ingredients.
Your girlfriends will never know the difference. One of the easiest things to make luxurious is food.
How to Be a Cheapskate without being Cheap
At this point we all know how to save money. We’ve covered how to save money on coupons, groceries, books, vacations, date nights, birthdays and special occasions like Eid or Hari Raya.
So these tips won’t be repeated here. In which case, saving money should be for practical purposes. Not so that you can buy that designer bag. Especially when there are so many things you can do to save money without being labelled a total miser.
Instead, use your hard-earned savings on things that will actually add value to your life, like travelling, investments, a self-care spa day, or a family trip overseas.
Don’t skimp out on the joys of life just to save up for a Gucci bag.
Craft your own expensive aesthetic on a budget without having to burn a hole through your wallet.
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