How to look rich while actually being skint!

MoJo

I useed to think that my impression that people with "real" money were "tightwads" was because I grew up in rural Yorkshire but it's an impression that hasn't wavered during some quite extensive travelling. Most of the people I have met whom I consider to have "real" money look after their pennies- often to an extent that can sometimes be mildly shocking.

On which basis I would have to assume, I suppose, that everyone here is loaded

I think it all depends what type of "rich" you want to look like?

Kemiera19

dudleyboy wrote: »

Nevertheless, only my crppy old car gives away the fact that i'm not loaded... or, more to the point, not taken out a loan to get a newer one or have a job that provides a company car. Fact is, most people you see with bling are up to their eye balls in debt and i don't envy them that at all... those who are ACTUALLY rich have it invested so they can make more, not hanging around their neck, on their wrist or parked on the drive for the birds to poop on.

I'd agree with that I went to a wedding the other day as my boyfriends guest - all the girls attending were dyed up, made up, nailed up with boob jobs and nose jobs amongst them as well. I asked my cousin how they could all afford it and he replied very casually "oh, they're all up to their eyeballs in debt". I couldn't help think about you lot on here, all doing so well to conquer your debts and how these people had obviously not had their LBMs yet!

immoral_angeluk

ixwood wrote: »

Oh dear.

Seems a bit sad to me. Pretending they're got money (or actually thinking it!) is probably where half the DFWs got their crazy debts from.

Maybe so but this is only a bit of fun...

KittyKate

My tip is simply to look after yourself. When I was in a lot of debt, and a student, I must have looked as poor as I was (and I hated being treated like a poor student as well) because I wore un-ironed (to save on electricity, and I lived in such a tiny mouse-ridden home I didn't even have room for an ironing board) clothes, ripped jeans, flip flops in winter etc. I didn't have my hair cut for about 2 years and generally looked worn at the edges.

Now I spend my money carefully - buying 2 pairs of good quality shoes (1 pair of boots and one of summer shoes) rather than a new pair of £5 shoes every few weeks, I buy classic clothes not faddy fashions, and always have my nails painted, hair straight (and cut every 6 months) and some mascara on.

It actually SAVES me money (as my clothes and shoes last a lot longer and I treat them a lot better too), I feel attractive and confident, and I get treated a lot better (I went snooping in Harvey Nicks the other day and got called Madam, rather than ignored! The pride!!!)

bluesindy_2

I agree with Kittykate, also another good tip is DON'T discuss money or how much things cost in public as it were, really wealthy people dont, it really isn't the done thing and an air of mystery is always intriguing

xx

esthomizzy

Littlemiss-lotsofdebt wrote: »

If I want to look loaded, then I apply a fake tan, get my hair done (model nights so free!), and do a french manicure

What are your tips for doing the manicure yourself? Mine never look quite right when I do it.

Sea78

I would also say to scour charity shops - barnados in my town are fab - they often have brand new stuff donated by QVC, Kickers, various shoe shops etc. Yesterday I bought a (what looks to be brand new, never worn and I studied closely!!) river island gorgeous winter coat. i needed a new one as have lost weight and my other one looked a bit funny, but could never have justified the cost as it is still wearable. However, the one I got yesterday was only £15 and looks much more

Can you tell I'm pleased?

sea xxx

Sarahsaver

When someone pays you a compliment just say 'thanks' instead of 'oh it's only from the charity shop...
Give people gifts of HM jam or pickle as they will think you are slightly eccentric and have so much time on your hands you can while away the hours jam making HM jam is 'posher' than shop bought;)
Get your kids decent coats and shoes, what's underneath will not be on show in winter LOL My little DS is proudly wearing a very posh designer coat which i got for £2. He doesn't know the price, just that David Beckham wore the same designer:)
Primark sunglasses, the big huge ones, 50p at the mo if they have any left. Mine have been mistaken for gucci and I just smile and say nothing. And they save on makeup because they are so BIG you can't see your eyes.
Get a nail buffer they make your nails look beautiful, and wear gloves in winter so your hands keep nice and dont get chapped, and 'ladies' wear gloves;)
Laundry starch can make the cheapest shirt look as good as new.
Get designer labels from the charity shop but do not wear them if you go to the benefits office (like I did once OoPs! DKNY head to toe cos I was so chuffed with my bargains)
Always keep a bottle of white wine and a bottle of cava in the fridge. The act of keeping one chilled just in case is posher than just having wine in the house.
Red wine tastes better if you open it 24 hours in advance to let it breathe.
Have a tablecloth on the table for mealtimes. You would be surprised at the difference it makes if you do not usually have one. My kids behave better if there is a tablecloth :eek:
I would say this is more about being civilised than appearing wealthy. You can be wealthy and not very civilised at all!

Sea78

Sarahsaver wrote: »

When someone pays you a compliment just say 'thanks' instead of 'oh it's only from the charity shop...
Give people gifts of HM jam or pickle as they will think you are slightly eccentric and have so much time on your hands you can while away the hours jam making HM jam is 'posher' than shop bought;)
Get your kids decent coats and shoes, what's underneath will not be on show in winter LOL My little DS is proudly wearing a very posh designer coat which i got for £2. He doesn't know the price, just that David Beckham wore the same designer:)
Primark sunglasses, the big huge ones, 50p at the mo if they have any left. Mine have been mistaken for gucci and I just smile and say nothing. And they save on makeup because they are so BIG you can't see your eyes.
Get a nail buffer they make your nails look beautiful, and wear gloves in winter so your hands keep nice and dont get chapped, and 'ladies' wear gloves;)
Laundry starch can make the cheapest shirt look as good as new.
Get designer labels from the charity shop but do not wear them if you go to the benefits office (like I did once OoPs! DKNY head to toe cos I was so chuffed with my bargains)
Always keep a bottle of white wine and a bottle of cava in the fridge. The act of keeping one chilled just in case is posher than just having wine in the house.
Red wine tastes better if you open it 24 hours in advance to let it breathe.
Have a tablecloth on the table for mealtimes. You would be surprised at the difference it makes if you do not usually have one. My kids behave better if there is a tablecloth :eek:
I would say this is more about being civilised than appearing wealthy. You can be wealthy and not very civilised at all!

these are good tips thanks- would have to agree that it's all about attitude really - quite few 'richer' people I know have a stinking attitude, and all the flashing of cash isn't going to make them more appealing.
Going down the classier (and cheaper!) route is just as good.
Sea xxx

purpleivy

Well groomed is the way, but not over-groomed. Attention to detail.... shoes clean and 'well-heeled' (the clue is in the expression there LOL!) if necessary. Clothes clean and pressed (not a lot of trouble if you are careful when you put things away) no hems down or buttons missing. Cheaper to buy a set of buttons than a new garment... or you can always remove the top or bottom one on a blouse or coat if you don't use those ones.

Accessories make an outfit, without them being expensive, it's all about picking a couple of up to date colours or styles to go with the classics in your wardrobe.

Many years ago, before Trinny and Susannah and all those folks hit the scene, I had a colour consultation and a few years after that a style consultation. Although these may be seen as 'treat' things, they have saved me many 10s of ££££££ over the years. I can see straight away if something is not 'my' colour, so avoid making expensive mistakes. I always wore colours that suited me before, but afterwards chose colours I hadn't been confident in wearing before. Also learned about the combinations I could wear.

Regarding the Style consultation..... I now reject most items when out shopping because I know that there is something about it that isn't right for me.

Someone told me once, you should never wear more than three colours at once, I find that useful in putting together outfits. She always looks really well turned out.

CHoosing the right styles and colours for you make the clothes look more expensive than they really are.