Adidas | Tubular Shadow | Solid Grey

I'm long overdue for another Sneakers+Life post. Every time I post or share something sneaker related on IG, I get lots of DMs asking where, how, and are they custom.

I'm gonna share a lil' secret with y'all - none of my sneakers are custom made (yet), and the majority of them were purchased with some sort of discount. That's right - ya girl lives for a good sale. Especially on sneakers and workout gear - but that's another story (workout gear).

So how exactly did I amass a collection of Jordans, Nikes, Adidas, and more - without spending full price every time? Check out my 8 tips for building a sneaker collection on a budget below:

Tip #1: Understand Sizing
Now this tip won't apply to everyone. But if you wear up to a size 9 in women's, for the most part you're able to get the same or similar shoe in grade school sizes for $20-60 cheaper. This is how I come by every single pair of Jordans I own.

Nike | Air Max 90 | Black + Volt + Total Crimson + Pink Blast

To figure out your size in kids/grade school, simply subtract 2 from your women's size. Depending on the shoe in women's, I wear an 8.5 or 9. In kids/grade school, I wear a 6.5 or 7. If you wear larger than a size 9 in women's, then I'm afraid this tip won't apply. No worries - there are 7 more ways to get your goodies at a discount!

Tip #2: Avoid Release Day
...unless you absolutely MUST have the shoe, on that day, and fear they will sell out with no restock in sight. To date, I've only made the effort to get one shoe release - the Space Jam 11s. My original plan was to order them online, but literally every sneaker website was crashing. So I hopped out of bed and made my way to the Footaction/Jumpman23 store, and got told I had to wait until 2pm to purchase my pair (mind you, it was before 9am). Not one for the shenanigans, I moseyed my way down to Kids Foot Locker, and put tip #1 in motion. I requested a size 7 and was in and out in under 10 minutes.

Jordan | XI "Space Jam"

Barring any extreme situations like the above (by the way, my $140 jams are now being hawked on various sites for $325), it's often times worth it to wait. Because new shoes are released almost every week and weekend, a bit of patience will probably pay off. If you're willing to wait it out, you'll find your coveted sneaker price drop by up to 50%.

I spotted these Jordan VI "Chameleon" sneakers in Maryland. Original price - $180. I shoulda got 'em then.

Tip #3: Get Seasonal
The best time to buy summer gear? Fall. The best time to buy cold weather attire? Spring. Just like clothing and home decor, sneakers are seasonal. With each season change, you've got the chance to score the pair you've been eyeing - at a discounted price. And if you happen to catch a sneaker store during a seasonal blowout/sale, you can often score an extra 20-30% off the already discounted price.

Tip #4: Sign Up for Rewards
I have more reward card sign-ups than probably should be allowed for one person - from Best Buy to Vitamin Shoppe. Somewhere in the alphabet soup of rewards memberships, I'm a proud holder of rewards memberships at FinishLine, Footaction, and Footlocker - all of which send certificates/coupons for reaching a certain threshold of purchase. For example, FinishLine sends $20 certificates for every $200 spent. All of them send at least $10 certificates for your birthday.

My favorite thing to do is stack rewards certificates on top of already discounted shoes and pay next to nothing :) #allthiswinning

Nike SB+Concepts | "Stained Glass" aka "Holy Grail"

Tip #5: Shop Around
Most of these competitors price match each other - just show proof that a similar retailer is shelling the same shoe for less. You can also try your hand at boutique shoe stores and skater shops, who are often anxious to clear inventory and will undercut the pricing of the big-name shoe store next door by $20 or more.

Tip #6: Hit the Outlets
I haven't had much luck on this route, but I haven't put in the time that other folks have to come up in a real way. But the truth is, the further out you're willing to go, the better your chances are at a score. Try your luck at Nike Factory/Outlet stores, Ross, TJ Maxx, Burlington's, and Marshall's - you just might be surprised with what you find at a price that's almost too good to be true. Check out this Instagram account dedicated to outlet hunters to see what I'm talking about.

Tip #7: Take Your Time
The truth is, you don't have to build your sneaker collection in a week. Or even a month. Or a year. I've been building my collection for years, at my own pace. Sometimes, it seems like I'm adding a new pair of sneakers monthly. Other times, I go several months without a new shoe. I'm not in competition with anyone to build a shoe collection.

Take your time, and build at your own pace.

Jordan | XIII "Wool"

Tip #8: It's OK to Pass
Some people buy sneakers just to buy them, or because everyone's buzzing about them. These people are called hypebeasts. I don't hypebeast. Hypebeasting costs a lot of money - just ask anyone with a pair of Yeezys or KAWS collab Jordan IVs.

Don't get me wrong - some of these shoes are dope. But I draw the line when sneakers start costing more than my DWP bill (water+electricity+trash for those of y'all not in California). I don't buy sneakers to flex on Instagram, or impress people as I walk around the mall. I buy sneakers to be comfortable, and because I like them.

As a result, I end up spending a lot less money than some of my fellow sneakerheads/hypebeasts - because I know when to pass. I don't care who designed what, how limited of a release it is, or how "valuable" they might be later - an ugly sneaker is an ugly sneaker.

And I don't wear ugly sneakers.

I hope you guys enjoyed this sneaker post! Got any questions about sneakers? Leave 'em in the comments below!

Nike | Air Max 90 | Black / Volt / Total Crimson / Pink Blast

I'm a sneakerhead.

But you knew that already, right?

If you've been following me for a while on Instagram or Snapchat (maneobjective), then you know the love runs deep, and that I'm in Foot Locker and Finish Line almost as often as I'm in Sally's and Target.

Well, if ya don't know - now ya know.

It's totally non-PC to say this now (because #outdatedgendernorms), but I grew up a lil' rough around the edges - a "tomboy" is what we called it back in my day (gosh I sound old, lol). I hated skirts, dresses, flowers, and pink - pretty much anything associated with super femininity. Although I later grew to appreciate a good mani/pedi, mascara, and a decent skirt, there were some things I never quite "grew out" of.

And sneakers was one of them.

My penchant for comfy kicks dates back to my middle school years, when I first became hyper-aware of what is now known as the #shoegame. I was hip to all the newest releases, but couldn't get them myself. My parents weren't balling outta control enough to buy me $100 sneakers every other month, so I took what I could get in the way of Reeboks, Converse, and back then - Nautica 😂

High school is where I was introduced to my first pair of Jordans - by way of a total stranger while school shoe shopping with my mom. I remember the story like it was yesterday. I was on my way to 10th grade when the all-white Jordan V sneakers first dropped in 2000. At that time, my parents couldn't afford to drop $100+ for a pair of shoes on me, so I typically saved my money to match what my parents could give me, to get what I wanted.

I now own the Vs as an adult, thanks to Samuel.

But this particular year, I didn't have enough money for 'em - so I passed them by and started looking at a pair of Chucks that were more in my price range. Unbeknownst to me, an older gentleman approached my mom and started asking about me - what kind of kid I was, what my grades looked like, etc. She told him I was an A student, and a hard worker that seldom got in trouble. The next thing I knew, the gentleman was at the counter telling the Footlocker employee to bring me the Jordan V in my size, and for me to pick out another pair. My mother and I both told the man it wasn't necessary - one pair, let alone two. But he insisted; and didn't want anything in return. He just wanted to be a blessing and reward someone who he felt deserved it. 

I'll never forget that story, or the lesson it taught me about giving and being a blessing to others without expecting.

From that moment on, I worked weekend and summer jobs, stacking my money to go toward the shoes I wanted, with some financial help from my parents who were able to meet me halfway. My favorite pairs in high school were the Blackout Nike Hyperflights and Ginger Jordan XVIs. Back then, I didn't know jack about preserving shoes - I sure do miss those sneakers. They were so dope.

Fast forward to my adult years, and I'm pretty much committed to sneakers as a way of life. I wear them to the gym, to church, on dates, at work (back when I worked in an office) - you name it, I've probably done it.

Nike x Concepts | SB Dunk | Stained Glass / Holy Grail

I'm a firm believer in comfort over corns, and high tops over heels. I don't go full hypebeast and cop whatever the latest sneaker is for the sake of owning it. 

Every single pair I own, I love. 

I have a soft spot for high tops, but for the right mid or low, I'm in. I've got a decent stash of retro Jordans, a growing Air Max collection, and a random assortment of Adidas, Converse, Reebok, Nike, and Vans.

I love grey in all shades (it's my most populous wardrobe color), crazy bright colorways, and unique textures - even though there's always a need for a demure shade or two. I don't concern myself with what other folks consider hot or not - I rock what I like - no matter if it's a pair of Nikes from the clearance rack, or the latest Jordan release.

Jordan | Retro IV | Oreo

I say all of this to say - welcome to the newest category on The Mane Objective - Sneakers and Life. Here is where you'll be able to find all my sneakerhead musings, tips, reviews, and more. If you've got questions, or things you'd like to know about sneakers - drop 'em in the comments below. I'm always up for new blog posts about the collection that comes second only to my product stash! 😂

Enjoy!