• Home
  • GET THE BOOK
  • Start Here
  • Blog
  • Free Resources
  • Shop TBM
  • Courses

The Budget Mom

Real Women. Real Life. Real Finance

  • Home
  • Products
    • Live Rich Planner
    • Budget By Paycheck
  • Blog
  • FREE RESOURCES
  • COURSES
  • GET THE BOOK
  • Shop TBM

A life you love on a budget you can afford.

Here on TBM®, I provide you with simple, easy-to-follow solutions to help you budget your money, pay off debt, save more, and crush your financial goals. But more than that, I give you the tools to start doing the things that matter most to you, on a budget that actually works!

My Favorite Things & The Cheaper Alternatives

March 17, 2016
Cut Expenses

Share7
Pin106
Share
Tweet2
Email
115 Shares

 

We all have our favorite things. The problem is, they may not be the most affordable. Here are some affordable alternatives to some of my go-to favorites.

We all have a list of our favorite things. Whether it's the same jacket we wear every day or the rain boots we can't live without on rainy days, we all have favorites that we tend to gravitate towards. Sometimes, your favorite things are not the cheapest, and you can't always afford to replace them when they get worn out. Maybe you have heard great reviews from friends about a particular product, but it's a little out of your price range. I am going to give you the best, and most affordable alternatives to some of my favorite things. I have personally bought all of these items due to the great reviews I have received from friends and internet sources. There are alternatives to almost anything!

We all have our favorite things. The problem is, they may not be the most affordable. Here are some affordable alternatives to some of my go-to favorites.

L.L. Bean Duck Boots

These boots are so popular, they are literally back ordered for almost 8 months. I purchased my duck boots in 2015 after readying hundreds of five-star reviews, and I love them. Not only is the quality amazing, but the fact that each pair of boots is handmade in Maine is absolutely amazing. They are comfortable, stylish, warm, and keep my feet dry on rainy days. So what's the alternative? L.L. Bean Duck boots are pricey, that's the downside. Spending $139 for boots that you can only wear during the winter, seems a little outrageous.

Affordable Alternative
After my purchase in 2015, I discovered the Lucky 21 Women's Two Tone Combat Rain Duck Boots. These only cost $29.99 on Amazon and offer more color combinations than the L.L. Bean boots. They have a similar look, offering the same great style but for way less. They are waterproof, and are great for rainy days.

Check out the affordable alternative HERE

We all have our favorite things. The problem is, they may not be the most affordable. Here are some affordable alternatives to some of my go-to favorites.

The North Face Women's Venture Fast Pack Rain Jacket

This is my go-to rain jacket. It's great for warm Spring days, and transition seasonal weather. I love how light this jacket is, allowing me to stuff it my purse when I want to take it off. It has a technology called DryVent 2.5L, giving you greater waterproof protection, and greater durability. I bought this jacket in Fuschia Pink in the Spring of 2014. I wear it a lot when the seasons are changing in Washington. It's light enough to wear on cooler summer mornings without having to pack around a heavy coat, and it is the only jacket I wear for layering. You can buy this jacket from The North Face for $149.

Affordable Alternative
It was only a year later that I discovered the Paradox Waterproof & Breathable Women's Rain Jacket. This rain jacket is a little heavier, but still light enough to tuck away. It's waterproof, wind proof due to it's seam sealed technology, and very breathable. It is also great for layering and transition weather. This jacket has a similar technology called the 2.5-layer protectant. This adds a raised pattern in the jacket ensuring you stay warm and dry during wet days. The best thing about this jacket – it only costs $24.95!

Check out the affordable alternative HERE

We all have our favorite things. The problem is, they may not be the most affordable. Here are some affordable alternatives to some of my go-to favorites.

Essie Nail Polish

Who doesn't like a good bottle of their favorite Essie Nail Polish. I have been a fingernail polish fanatic since I stopped getting my nails done at the salon, almost 5 years ago. This splurge was cut from our budget when my husband and I were trying to claw our way out of debt. After not going to the salon for a while, I realized I could just do it myself. The colors offered by Essie are very wearable, and definitely fit my personality. I love the almost milky look for my nail polishes, as I tend to shy away from bolder colors. I have owned Essie Nail Polishes for about 2 years and I have come to realize they really aren't worth the hype. They don't last long, are too expensive for the bottle size, and offer a limited color choice.

Affordable Alternative
I have found a nail polish that tops all nail polishes. I have used it religiously every single day for the last year. Not only does it last a full week and a half without chipping, but I have worn it close to TWO WEEKS without signs of chipping. The nail polish brand is Revlon and the nail polish is called Colorstay Gel Envy. When used with their Diamond Top Coat,  it will most likely out-wear the current nail polish that you use. I swear by this stuff and I recommend it to anyone that will listen to me. I get comments all the time from people who ask ” Where did you get your nails done? Is that gel?” They are always surprised when I tell them how much the nail polish actually costs. You can currently buy this nail polish on Amazon for $4.50 a bottle!

Check out the affordable alternative HERE

 What are some of your favorite things?

Share7
Pin106
Share
Tweet2
Email
115 Shares

Filed Under: Tagged With: FASHION, LIFE, MY STORIES, REVIEW, SAVING

Previous article:
« Saving For Your Child’s Future
Next article:
Baked Caramel-Banana French Toast »

Hello, I'm Kumiko, but everyone just calls me Miko. Welcome to my blog, The Budget Mom. I am an Accredited Financial Counselor® , and mom to a rambunctious boy. Come along with me as I strive to live a life I love on a budget that I can afford. Read more about me.

RECENT YOUTUBE VIDEO

The Budget Mom

The Budget Mom
Today, I am showing you how I use visual financial trackers in my life. I have a lot of these trackers available in my Free Resource Library (https://bit.ly/2PDmTHz), in my TBM Shop (https://bit.ly/42S0DAi), or you can find them over at DebtFreeCharts.com.

CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
00:37 Why you should use financial trackers
04:37 Savings Goals
08:32 Graphic Tracker for Debt
13:16 Lined Tracker for Debt
20:43 Tips & Recommendations

➡️ HOW I TRACK MY SPENDING: https://bit.ly/3aIe89I
➡️ HOW TO USE A BUDGET CALENDAR: https://bit.ly/2IzF2Vj
➡️ FINDING YOUR WHY: https://bit.ly/3aJUryj
➡️ THE BUDGET MOM'S FINANCIAL FREEDOM STEPS: https://bit.ly/3cfJXsp
➡️ HOW TO GET STARTED WITH THE CASH ENVELOPE METHOD: https://bit.ly/2vQJaO5
➡️ HOW TO CREATE A PLAN OF ATTACK TO PAY OFF DEBT: https://bit.ly/2wDETxF
➡️ HOW TO CLOSE OUT YOUR BUDGET: https://bit.ly/2Uz0UUW

ABOUT ME

Kumiko Love is a single mom who empowers women everywhere to regain control of their financial lives. An Accredited Financial Counselor with over nine years of experience in the finance industry, she founded The Budget Mom, a community of millions of women on a path to financial fulfillment.

She's also the creator of the wildly popular Live Rich Planner® and Budget by Paycheck® Workbook. Love has been featured on Good Morning America, the Today show, CNN, CBS, ABC and in USA Today, US News, World Report, Huffington Post, Money Magazine, Parents Magazine, the Washington Post, and Real Simple. She lives in Spokane Valley, Washington.

YOU CAN FIND ME AT:

📝 WEBSITE: https://www.thebudgetmom.com
📘 FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/thebudgetmom/
📸 INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thebudgetmom/
📌 PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/thebudgetmom/

GET STARTED

➡️Start Here: https://www.thebudgetmom.com/start-here/
➡️Courses: https://courses.thebudgetmom.com/
➡️Free Resources: https://bit.ly/2PDmTHz
➡️GET 10% OFF my popular Budget-by-Paycheck Workbook - Coupon Code TBMYOUTUBE https://bit.ly/3FEdZFp

Soundstripe Music License Code: WIKRJYHFAEB3H6B3
Load More... Subscribe
Free Resource Library

Recent Posts

  • HELOC to Pay Off Debt: Is it a Lifeline or a Trap?
  • Budget Tune-Up: Know When to Adjust Your Limits
  • Freeze Your Credit: How It Works and When It’s a Smart Move
  • Bounce Back from Fraud: How to Protect Your Family’s Finances and Move Forward
  • Unlock Hidden Health Insurance Perks: Save Money and Boost Your Family’s Finances

Blog Categories

Amazon Associates Disclosure

The Budget Mom, LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

  • Cart
  • Shop Policies

Start With My Friday Newsletter

Every Friday I send you a short helpful email with my popular Friday freebie. Join my 500k+ subscribers!

About

  • Home
  • ABOUT TBM
  • Contact
  • Start Here

Important

  • DISCLAIMER
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • Subscribe

Favorites

  • YouTube
  • Blog
  • Live Rich Planner
  • Budget by Paycheck

Start With My Friday Newsletter

Copyright ©2023, The Budget Mom®
This website contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on a product link, I may receive a commission. This website is a participant in the amazon services llc associates program, an affiliate advertising program where I earn advertising fees by linking to amazon.com.
  • How financially fulfilled are you? Take this 2 minute quiz to get your score!
    Click Here to Start