1. What motivated you to start your blog?

I was motivated by the economy continuing to dip and how that would impact fashion. There were budget blogs, but there was nothing about the recession and fashion. I wanted to give a voice to what I was experiencing, and others too. Also, I wanted to talk about collections like Celia Birtwell for Express, which other U.S. bloggers were not covering. My first post was about the state of the economy and new budget collections, and I had a picture of a Celia Birtwell for Express dress in it.

2. What tips can you give our readers on managing the monthly income in such a way to save something as well?  

I rely on my online banking tools (free via Wells Fargo) to help me manage my money. I do try to have a budget for household items, food and clothing. It helps to have some benchmarks. Of course, it is always a struggle to stay in the parameters of the budget. I have to keep monitoring my spending online. I like to use my debit card as much as possible. That is one of the best ways to keep track - no finance fees and things are immediately deducted from my checking account, so I know in real-time what I am spending. Also, check out Mint for a good online budget planning tool. It can help you keep track of spending.

3. What are the most obvious ways that people can save money when shopping?  

Buy on sale. Ask when the sale is coming, sometimes the store will hold your item, or let you have the sale price if you bring it back the day of the sale. Use coupons; look for them before you buy. I find there is usually a savings code or a coupon.

4. What advice can you give our readers on how to spend less on fashion while keeping the quality at a satisfactory level?

Don't impulse buy.  Look for the clothes from the designers you love, at the sale price. Have in mind the specific items you want that flatter you. Don't just go to the mall to spend the day shopping. That is when you overspend.

5. Can you recommend few brands and stores which offer cheap yet quality clothes and accessories?

KOHL'S has good stuff: Simply Vera, Elle, Apt. 9, and Dana Buchman. Even the Lauren Conrad collection has great stuff. Loehmann's carries the high-end designers at affordable costs. Norma Kamali at Walmart delivers some wonderful stuff for amazing price. H&M is consistently good as are their budget collections. Macy's also has amazing sales on great stuff. On target, its designer by designer. Some collections have been good, others terrible. One of my favorites was Roland Mouret's Gap collection - Roland, please do more!

6. How often do you think people should dine out in this economy?  

As often as the budget permits. It's important to not go into shut in, lock down mode, where you don't go out. There are so many dining deals now, you can eat at great restaurants you could never go into before. Even Chinois on Main is having specials now. I like early bird dinners during the week - they offer great savings and they give you a break. Check out blackboard eats for great dining deals and yelp. Also, I post deals on the Recessionista. Happy hours can sometimes provide a great dinner if there is enough food offered on the menu. Just check the website of the restaurant you want to go to or yelp! For the deals and hours where you can dine for less. Planning is the key, not foregoing.

7. At the moment, the U.S. economy is crawling out of recession into growth. How important do you think it is for people to continue their shopping on a budget?   

It's still important to leverage savings. Remember, I'm looking for quality items and you should be too. Quality items usually cost more, so buy something of quality (Stella McCartney dress at Loehmanns - use the insider card and get it for a little less). Don't just buy cheap. There is a great book called The High Cost of Cheap, about the poor quality of some goods because they are cheap. This is what you don't want. Just be mindful of your spending, and live within your means. That is the basic precept.