I used to wonder how my coworkers could afford the latest and greatest fashions. Despite the fact that we all took home the same meager salary, they walked in the door every week with a new outfit. I walked in the door with the same sloppy jeans and sweater. It took a few years before I realized that their clothes were actually owned by Visa and MasterCard. This was a realization I made without ever looking at their credit card statement. I could see the stress in their eyes. By the time they paid off that sweater set, sweater sets were out of style. They were on a Fashion Hamster Wheel.

My coworker Jessica was different. She was always tastefully dressed, her clothes predating the next fashion trend. Almost every time I asked her where she got her clothes she told me she bought them at a thrift store. There was something else about Jessica's style that no one else had - serenity. She had zero debt. She was in full control of her life and it was palpable. It's no coincidence that she bought her first home when she was just 24 years old.

Jessica clearly had her own sense of style. With a little creativity and a small investment of time, she was able to act on it. I'm not saying you have to forego shopping at your favorite stores to be able to afford a house - unless you live in Northern California. What I am saying is - instead of desperately searching for the exact blouse Jennifer Aniston wore to her latest movie premier and paying bank for it off the rack - be a little daring and create your own style based on what you can afford.

Defining your own style takes time and it evolves. Read fashion magazines, watch movies and see what you like. But instead of mimicking what you see, adapt it. Learn to trust your instinct. Learn what looks good on your body structure. Every time you see a young woman wearing low rise jeans that obviously shouldn't be, take it as a reminder that not every fashion trend is for everyone.

Life isn't about conforming - it's about creating.
About the Author
Melissa Tosetti is the Editor and Publisher of Budget Savvy. Budget Savvy is a quarterly lifestyle magazine for women who want to enjoy life and still be financially responsible. For more information on Budget Savvy go to www.budgetsavvymag.com.