Having a million bucks and looking like it are two different things, and lucky for most of us, the absence of one does not preclude the other.  Just because there are very few millionaires living amongst us lesser mortals doesn’t mean we can’t all look like our highfalutin brethren, with the rich, luxurious clothing and accessories that command attention wherever we go.  So if you’re seeking ways to spruce up your wardrobe that don’t require you to take out a second mortgage on your home, here are a few tips and tricks that will have you looking strictly Rodeo even when you’re stuck in a high-rise in Burbank.

1. Samples sales.  The great thing about sample sales is that they’re the real deal…for less.  Of course, you have to get into the city when the sales are on, squeeze your way through a cluster of buyers trying to snag the last little number in your size, and then try everything on in a room full of other customers, but considering you could walk out with incredible designer pieces (albeit a season out of date) for a fraction of the cost, it’s well worth the effort.
2. DOTD.  There’s simply no downside to signing up for deal-of-the-day sites.  While Groupon won’t really offer you a chance at the fashions that will make you look like a millionaire, there are sites devoted to fashionistas on the prowl for label clothing at less cost.  HauteLook, Gilt Groupe, and Beyond the Rack all offer memberships (for free) that allow users to take advantage of daily deals on their favorite brands.  And they’re so considerate: they even send you daily emails that prompt you to buy!
3. Knockoffs.  Okay, so it’s actually illegal to knowingly buy and sell knockoffs, but you can certainly search for similar items to the ones you see on the runways.  Thanks to the trickle-down effect, department stores quickly mimic the ensembles that spring up at fashion weeks across the globe.  And once they’ve hit department stores, the next stop is discount superstores (like T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, and Ross, for example).  So while you may have to wait a few months for the low-end version of that fabulous maxi-dress you saw on the Bryant Park highlights, it can virtually be yours for a lot less.
4. Designer labels for less.  With all of the designers creating affordable lines for stores like Kohl’s (Vera Wang, Lauren Conrad), Target (Isaac Mizrahi, Zac Posen), Payless (Christian Siriano, of Project Runway fame), and more, you can get your hands on some amazingly flattering fashions that look totally posh for pennies on the dollar.
5. Online retailers.  If you’re looking for a website that offers deals on fashions, you’re going to find plenty.  But the ones that offer some of the best deals are those that sell overstock and used items.  Overstock.com is a good bet; they’ve got a little bit of everything, designer clothing included.  But if you’re in the market for lightly-used, authentic fashions, eBay may also provide suitable (and suitably-priced options).

The dream job for many adults is to own and manage their own business.  And while most of us don’t necessarily have a plan for what that business might be, there are easier ways to get started than by waiting for a shiny, new idea to pop into your head.  You don’t need to reinvent the wheel here; all you need to do is look into buying a franchise.  But if you’re just starting down this path to self-employment, you may not have a very good idea of what to look for in a franchise.  How do you know which types of business are better to enter into?  Here are just a few things you may want to consider before you hop on the bandwagon of franchised business.

1. Is it popular?  Pegging consumer tastes can be tricky, but there are a couple of ways to go about it.  One is to ask around.  Test the waters to see what people think of various franchises.  You may also want to look at how many locations they currently have.  Take McDonald’s, for example.  They operate in over 100 countries across the globe (with more than 30,000 restaurants).  That’s a popular corporation.  On the other hand, look at a franchise like Starbucks, which had to close 600 stores just a couple of years ago, despite their seeming popularity.  This is a good place to start, but there are other considerations to be made.
2. Do you like it?  If you have no affinity for the company you’re joining then you’ve already got one foot down the road to failure.  You need to find a company that you not only like, but that you believe in if you want to turn your franchise into a success.
3. Is there a future in it?  Despite the recession, there are businesses that continue to grow.  Technology and green industries, in particular, seem to be on the rise.  Of course, most of these don’t offer franchises.  Another option is food services, some of which receive continuing public support regardless of the state of the economy.  But no matter what industry you’re interested in, you need to think about where it’s going and how sustainable it is.
4. How long has the company been franchised?  This may not necessarily affect your decision to buy into a franchise, but it’s something to consider simply because a company that has been franchising for a while has likely worked out most of the kinks in the process.  On the other hand, a newly franchised company may afford you more latitude in decisions regarding your location.  You need to decide what is more important to you.
5. What is the cost?  This is a biggie.  Businesses that are popular are going to cost a lot more than those that are just beginning to branch out into franchising.  Those that have a long history of franchise may be more stable and offer a proven track record for earning, but they’re definitely going to cost you up front.
6. What are the caveats?  Every small business franchise agreement is going to come with some addendums the buyer won’t like.  You may have to pay annual or monthly fees, turn over a portion of earnings, or meet certain standards of operation in order to hold the franchise.  If the restrictions or expenditures are too steep, you’ll need to seek another franchise to buy.

Stop what you’re doing and take a moment to think about how much money you bring home in a year (as in what gets direct deposited into your bank account).  Now think about how much of that you have left over in savings or checking.  With these numbers in mind, you can determine with a fair amount of accuracy how much money you’re spending in a year.  Finally, take a look at what you have saved up for retirement.  When you begin to look closely, you’re probably going to realize that some drastic cuts are in order if you want to make ends meet with your meager retirement funds.  After all, people are living a lot longer these days than they did even fifty years ago, and unless you want to work through your golden years, you’re going to have to find ways to make every dollar count.

The trick is to break down what you’re spending and find ways to make it fit a limited income, which is exactly what you’ll have once you retire.  Of course, the fact that you’re not working will automatically cut out a portion of expenses like gas for commuting and dining out for lunch every day of the week.  You also won’t have to spend on office attire, gifts for coworkers, and other nebulous costs.  Unfortunately, you’ll lose your salary in the process.

So start looking at what you spend on the home front.  First there are your regular bills; utilities, food, and so on.  If you purchased a home years ago, you may not have a mortgage to contend with, but home ownership comes with other attendant costs that usually occur annually, such as property tax and various insurance policies.  This may be a hard time in your life to consider giving up your housekeeping and landscaping services, but these are extras that you simply may not be able to afford once you retire.  Luckily, you’ll have plenty of free time to scrub toilets and trim the azaleas.  Of course, there is an alternative that will likely cut your costs significantly, and that is selling your house.

Nobody wants to think about giving up their home upon retirement, but with the kids gone, the extra space is just going to suck up your money.  By selling, you can get a bump to your savings, some of which can be rolled over into a living situation that is more fitting to your station in life.  There are a couple of options.  One is a retirement community, which is meant for active seniors who wish to live in a community of their peers and receive limited services as part of the bargain.  You’ll likely buy a smaller house that costs less and then sign up for any services you may need that are provided for the community (probably at a discounted rate).

Another option is retirement homes, where you can eschew the difficulties of lawns, taxes, insurance, and even cooking.  You’ll rent or buy an apartment within the home or complex, and you’ll be able to take full advantage of services provided by the home, such as housekeeping, a cafeteria, grounds, and generally, on-site medical services, such as a clinic or staff nurse.  Although you may not be as financially prepared to retire as you hoped, you can easily make changes to your lifestyle and living situation that will allow you to remain comfortable and stick to a reduced budget for years to come.