"Only two phrases can change a woman's mood: 1. I love you 2. 50 percent off." - Anonymous

Fashion is one of the hardest areas of life to keep up with. It is something that is always changing, fast-forwarding into the next trend. With constant change, it is easy to get swooped up into the latest trends, which can feel like throwing money out of the window. The trick to surviving this portion of the world can be summed up in one word: sales. My mom has one shopping rule for my sister and I as we grow up:

Never pay full price for clothes.

The key is to play the sales. Stores are always running a type of sale, sometimes one that they have not advertised yet. Sales hold some of the greatest rewards. Most stores have an email system they use to alert customers of their ongoing sales. Get on that list. There are good retail workers out there who will work to get you the biggest discount they can. (Shouts to the cashier at Bath and Body Works who helped me find the sale email. You rock.) There are mailing lists as well that send coupon cards straight to your house. It is beautiful.

There is one hidden gem, however, that changes the game entirely.

Thrift stores.

What what, what, what.

Thrift stores may seem a bit out there, but they are the rarest gems. Growing up, my mom would take my sister and I out to the thrift stores on Saturday mornings, something I cherished more than she'll realize. I have found countless name brand shirts at thrift stores, resulting in the wide-eyed disbelief of my peers. My favorite response to, "I love your Ralph Lauren shirt!" is, "Thanks! I got it at the thrift store!" Their faces are priceless and I get a chance to revel in my $3 purchase. Thrift stores also allow for creativity. Love those cutoff shorts you see in all the stores for $20? Instead, buy a pair of high-waisted jeans from the thrift store and make them yourself. All you need is jeans, scissors and tweezers so you can distress them. Thrift stores are blessings sent from above.

Everyone knows about the giant sales held during Black Friday, but it's possible to find those sales during the year as well. There are apps throughout the App store built to find you deals. Stores usually have their own app full of deals for members, however, there are various generic apps as well. Groupon, an app that holds coupons for everything imaginable, is the college kid's savior. Donde Fashion is an app full of deals from stores all over, highlighting their key sales and discounts. Lastly, Poshmark is an app that allows users to buy and sell clothing. It's an online thrift store! At times, it can be hard to find clothes on apps like Poshmark. However, when you stumble onto the shirt that is going to be your new favorite, the reward is that much sweeter.

So go out, find the deals and be your own fashionista!