I'm not usually one to set New Year's resolutions, as I believe every day offers a new opportunity to set personal goals. However, for 2025, I'm excited to give it a try! I have two resolutions that go hand-in-hand: 

1. Make better financial decisions. 

2. Reduce my waste (I recently watched a documentary about the immense amount of waste in the world and was truly shocked). 

To combine these two goals, I've decided to focus on my closet—my creative playground, which could use some refreshing and refining. Specifically, I want to concentrate on my workplace wardrobe, the collection I wear most frequently. To make the best use of my income on these often-worn items, I thrift 90% of my business attire from Goodwill of Greater Washington. Not only do I save money, but my professional pieces also help to support the local nonprofit's career training programs, empowering others to achieve their personal and professional dreams. 

However, since these shirts, pants, skirts, and blazers are worn the most, they sometimes require some tender loving care (TLC). Before purchasing replacement pieces, I've learned three easy skills to keep them out of local landfills and hopefully enjoy them for many more years to come

Learn to Sew a Button. Knowing how to sew a button can extend the life of your button-up shirts that have lost one or two buttons. This simple skill not only helps you avoid throwing clothing items away but also saves you money, as you won't need to buy a new shirt for just a minor flaw.   

   *Creative Tip:* Mix and match fun buttons to transform a plain button-up into a unique statement piece!

Here's a helpful resource to help you learn to sew a button: How to Mend Your Clothes: 5 Easy Stitch Fixes for Beginners

Hemming Isn't Hard. Here's Why. I recently thrifted a pair of dream slacks from Goodwill for under $10, but after wearing them once, I realized they were too long for the office. After some research, I discovered iron-on hemming tape for under $5. It was easy to use and budget-friendly! With careful measuring and ironing, I was able to create a comfortable pair of pants that I could confidently wear at work. 

Optimize Your Actual Closet. This hack will help prevent you from having to mend expensive workplace attire! Keep your closet sparkling clean to deter moths from becoming unwanted roommates. Moths love feasting on costly fabrics like wool and cashmere, so it's crucial to keep your wardrobe tidy. Additionally, I use lavender and cedar chips in my closet—pleasant scents that help keep those pesky bugs away! 

These mending hacks can help you save money and keep your wardrobe looking fresh!