For me, one of the hardest things about budgeting is that I can’t update my wardrobe as often as I’d like to. I have a lot of nice clothes I love, but – to be honest – I always have my eye on replenishments.

I recently read a humorous email from DailyWorth, a daily personal finance e-newsletter for women, on this very subject. In “The Fashionomics of Retail Begging,” writer Caitlin O’Toole describes how she wants new clothes but – since she’s unemployed and can’t afford them – instead pleads with local salespeople for handouts.           

That isn’t something I’ve ever done. But Caitlin’s ritual to satiate her shopping urge definitely resonates with me.

I “window shop” a lot on the web. I’ll peruse a few favorite sites and pick out what I’d like to buy. I don’t go too crazy – I really love styling, and not the act of spending – but I select the least expensive shift dresses, high pumps and miniskirts (for instance), edit out what’s too similar to pieces I already have and save it all to my shopping cart.

Then, before I go ahead and buy something new, I sleep on it. I’ll only buy if I’m still thinking about a certain outfit the next day and know that I can pay for it. For the most part, I also limit myself to one or two purchases each month.

Here are some of my favorite online resources where I tend to find a wide variety of sale items:

Gap.com (also home to Banana Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime, Athleta)

JCrew.com

shopbop.com

AnnTaylorLoft.com

Thread Social online (the ReThread collection is fantastic, too!)

Bluefly.com (can be hit or miss)

AlternativeApparel.com