Buy Shoes on a Shoestring

How to Save Money when Buying Shoes

By Desiree Stimpert, About.com

Whether you view shoes as merely a necessity, or you believe owning the newest designer styles is essential to your well-being, there are several ways to save money when you buy shoes.

The first step in cutting your footwear budget is to only buy the shoes you actually need, or those that you'll get a good amount of use from. By focusing on what really works for you, your wardrobe and your lifestyle, you won't feel guilty the next time you spend a little more on a pair of shoes you really love.

Buy Shoes Off-Season

The oldest trick in the book is to buy shoes at the end of a season, or even well into the next. Those shimmery sandals that are full price in May or June will be marked down substantially in just a few short months. The longer you wait, the cheaper they'll be, although you have to be careful not to miss out on the style or size that you want.

MORE: http://shoes.about.com/od/shoes_store/a/buy_shoes.htm

How to Save Money on New Balance Shoes and Sneakers
By Shira Johnson

Besides shoes, New Balance also sells athletic apparel. One thing that makes the company unique is that it produces shoes in a wide range of widths, making it easier for people to find a comfortable pair of shoes. New Balance also don't give names to the different types of shoes they sell, instead each shoe is assigned a unique model number. When the shoe is updated or redesigned, the number goes up by one.

You can often find some great deals on New Balance shoes by looking for older model numbers. When an updated design comes out on the market, often times stores will sell the older shoes at a discount. This is a great opportunity to obtain a pair of high-quality shoes. Even if you don't do a lot of walking or running, New Balance shoes are great to wear if you spend a lot of time on your feet or work at a job that requires you to stand for long periods of time. I know many people who work in the nursing and medical industries that will only buy New Balance shoes. Also, as someone who has participated in three breast cancer walks that each lasted for 60 miles, I can say that my New Balance shoes never let me down and didn't give me one single blister.

MORE: http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Save-Money-on-New-Balance-Shoes-and-Sneakers&id=2133774

How to Save Money on Prom Shoes

By Jody Morse, eHow Editor

Prom is something that just about every high school girl wants to experience. However, prom can also be very expensive for the parents or students that are paying for prom. Prom dresses, prom tickets and everything else can really add up. Are you looking to save money on prom shoes? One or more of these tips should lead you to an affordable pair of prom shoes.

Step1. Visit stores that target teenagers and young adults. These stores typically offer low prices on just about everything that they have in order to increase sales. You may be able to find a pair of prom shoes for less than $30, which is a good bargain. Most malls offer a wide variety of stores that target teenagers. If you’re a parent, the best way to find some of these stores is to just ask your child what their favorite stores are. There is a good chance that your teenager regularly visits one or more of these stores on a trip to the mall.

MORE: http://www.ehow.com/how_2206174_save-money-prom-shoes.html

Repair and Maintenence of Your Designer Shoes

Think twice before tossing those Jimmy Choos

by Melissa Kagan

Let's face it, you love your shoes. But maybe you haven't treated them right. You've worn them down and haven't given them the attention they deserve. Inevitably, a cuter, newer pair has come along, and you feel like tossing the old ones away. Well, the abuse has to stop! The shoes you purchase are an investment, and they need to be treated that way. Expensive footwear, if properly cared for, will last a lot longer than you realize. So fall in love all over again with the shoes you already have and get them repaired. And when your next love comes along, treat 'em right.

Stain and waterproof your shoes. Applying a protective spray is the best way to shield your shoes from spills, rain, snow and mud. This can be done at a shoe repair shop, but it can also be done at home for a minimal cost. Leather and suede sprays and lotions should be applied before the first time shoes are worn and then on a regular basis afterward ‑- approximately every six to eight weeks. Meltonian Water and Suede Protector is one brand that comes highly recommended by shoe repair experts. The advantages of using a spray over a cream are that the spray takes less time to apply, and excessive use of a cream will result in a dull finish on the shoe surface. Another good option for weatherproofing your shoes is Kiwi Premier Shine. This is a water-resistant wax formula with a controlled-flow applicator. A telltale sign that you need to reapply your repellant is when water stops beading up on your shoe's surface.

MORE: http://beauty.ivillage.com/accessories/bags/0,,77wncx8f,00.html