In a world where iPods, mani/pedis and owning the latest fashions are the norm, it’s easy to get sucked into a ‘shop till you drop’ state of mind. But are we blowing off way too much of our parents hard earned cash? Are we spending too much on things that sparkle and shine and last for about a week before they fall into the parallel dimension of non-existence? Most girls would say no, but if you think about all the Forever 21, and now outdated Apple products stuffed in the back of your closet, you’ll find that in a way, we do.

With the current state of the economy, even those who were once considerably well-off are finding that many of these useless frivolities are now becoming major strains on a family’s budget. Although many teens expect to have the latest, newest and shiniest products as soon as they hit the stores, a lot of parents are finding that they just can’t keep up with such ridiculous demands. $40 mani/pedis every other week? Forget about it. A formal dress for two different homecomings as well as $75 shoes? Don’t hold your breath. A new iPod Touch every two or three years? Keep dreaming.

Although not buying the things you really want right now may be upsetting, it’s necessary. So here are a few tips for those girls who just can’t seem to keep their credit cards on a leash:

1. Buy things on sale, you can purchase a lot more for less and put them together to form an outfit worthy of the runway.

2. Don’t be encouraged to purchase things you don’t need, chances are you’ll find it at the bottom of your closet five years later, after you’ve outgrown it.

3. Cost and worth are completely different things, just because something is expensive, doesn’t mean it’s more valuable, look around first, you might find the same bracelet or dress at a different store for a cheaper price.

4. You don’t have to have the exact same handbag or accessory as your favorite celebrity; they have a higher budget than you and besides, wouldn’t you rather be your own person instead of a mindless wannabe?

5. Does your iPod play music? Do the headphones still work? Then don’t rush to buy the iTouch 5 or the iPad, instead, put that money in a rainy day fund or use that it for something you really need, like gas for your car.