If a retail concierge is as much a necessity to you as gasoline and a gym membership, consider enlisting the help of a personal shopper. “Using a personal shopper is an investment that will help you make better decisions that save money in the long run,” says Cecile Blanco, founder of Style Me Now!, an Atlanta-based personal-shopping and image-consulting business. Drew Sisselman, founder of Drew Sisselman Image Consulting in Atlanta, agrees. He says that personal shopping is “perfect for someone with no time for or interest in shopping. I actually teach my clients a new shopping paradigm so they can ‘fish for themselves’ if they want to. I love to teach and witness transformation.” We asked Sisselman and Blanco to share some of their intimate shopping secrets with us, and this is what they had to say.

Get an objective opinion. Personal shoppers don’t work on commission like the staff of a retail store. The honesty of a personal shopper could save you money and spare you a fashion disaster.

Build a core wardrobe that you love with basics that are versatile, high-quality, timeless and can be dressed up or down.

Know where to shop. A personal shopper can keep you informed of new arrivals at your favorite stores and sales worth scouring.

Love what you buy. If you are having second thoughts or feel hesitant, put whatever is in your hand back on the rack. Period.

Do your homework. Read up on trends and take an honest look at whether they work for you before hitting the stores. By doing so, you won’t be as tempted to make impulsive purchases.

Know yourself. Understand what fabrics, cuts and colors work for you. But don’t be afraid to go outside your comfort zone once in a while. You might be surprised that a certain look, once seemingly off-limits, actually works.

Think about return on investment. Before you fork over big bucks for that darling cocktail dress, think about how many times you’re likely to wear it. It’s worthwhile to spend a little extra on an item that you know you will wear often.

Get bang for your buck. One positive side effect of the economic downturn is that everything seems on sale. Snap up the bargains, but don’t get sucked into the sale vortex. You don’t have to buy an item just because it’s a great deal.

Consider custom fitting. If you find that the sizes in most stores don’t quite suit you–too big in the shoulders but too tight in the chest, for example–you might benefit from having a consultant visit you in your home or office to create a pattern for made-to-measure clothing that yields an impeccable fit. This is a particularly good option for shoppers who see time as money and don’t want to waste a minute trolling racks of ill-fitting apparel.

Keep an eye out for warehouse sales, particularly those populated by local boutiques. The quality of merchandise is high, and the deals can be outstanding.

Make sure it fits. Avoid the dressing room like the plague. Or brave it and end up with fewer items to return–saving you valuable time.

Get to know a tailor. If you find something that you love but that doesn’t quite fit, take it to a good tailor–with the tags still on. If it can’t be altered, take it back. It wasn’t meant to be.