Shopping Ban: Week 11

Striped Cotton Pajama Pants  $13 (Target)

I realize that this is certainly not the most thrilling shopping ban post ever.  But I’m sticking to my budget, I didn’t have a lot of shopping time this week, and this is what I bought.  Somehow, between last winter and now, I managed to give all my long pajama pants to Goodwill.  The weather is finally starting to get a bit cold, and shorts and capris just weren’t cutting it when I wanted to lounge around the house in the evening.  I still had $20 of free money left for October, so I went to Target, and picked these out.  And I love them!  So soft, so comfy, the color goes with everything.  I’ve been lounging around the house in these almost every night since I got them.  Which makes me think that I might get a second pair in a different color, so I don’t have to do laundry all the time.  That leaves me with $7 of free money and $15 of ban money.  So what am I going to do today: go thrifting!  You’ll see what I find next week.

Shopping Ban: Weeks 9 & 10

At the end of week 8, I had $15 in free money left.  To that can be added $50 of free money for October, plus $30 of ban money for two weeks.  Let’s see how I spent it.

Lush Brown Hornet Dress: $36

The day before my trip to California, I stopped at a boutique (The Velvet Rope) near my work on an impulse.  Unfortunately they don’t have a website yet, but I did find an article on the store’s opening.  So if you’re ever in the Brandon/Valrico area, check it out.  I was surprised to find several reasonably priced items in the store, along with some really great fancy dresses that were a bit pricier.  The second I tried on this dress, I fell in love.  The fit is divine, the viscose/rayon blend is super soft, and the details make me feel like a Greek goddess.  I do wish that the color was a bit more vibrant and that the length was slightly longer, but I can live with those things.  This $36 came from the $65 of free money I had, leaving me with $29 of free money.

Efy Tal Earrings  $36 (on sale)

One day while I was in Encinitas, CA, me and some of the folks walked to a nearby Farmer’s Market.  I wish we had markets like this in Tampa.  It had so many cool vendors, and tons of fresh, delicious produce.  One of the vendors was Efy Tal Jewelry, being manned by the San Diego artist herself.  I couldn’t pass up these gorgeous earrings, and I’ve worn them several times since.  I love getting to support handmade artisans, and it’s even better when you actually get to meet them in person.  Since they’re handmade, I feel that it’s okay to use my ban money towards these.  That takes all $30 of the ban money I had from two weeks, plus $6 of free money, leave me with $23 in free money.

Blu Heaven Blouse  $0.50!

Coyote Corduroy Blazer  $0.50!

Gap Chino Skirt  $0.50!

At this wonderful Farmer’s Market, they also had a garage sale to benefit a group of six graders earning money for camp.  I scored these amazing pieces for a mere 50 cents each!  Albeit, the blouse has to be worn with something layered underneath, the blazer is snug when buttoned, and the skirt will likely need alterations since it’s quite tight.  I’m still super happy with them for the price.  There’s a few other items too, but they need some alterations, and may not work at all.  Grand total for what I bought (including items not shown): $3.  Take that from my free money, and I’m left with $20 of free money and no ban money.  I think I made out pretty well.

Next week I’ll recap my California trip in full, so stay tuned!

Not Buying It (Book Review)

Not Buying It: My Year Without Shopping

While I did buy something this week, I didn’t have time to take any pictures before leaving for San Diego.  So instead, I thought I’d review a book that I read a few months ago, that relates to my shopping ban.

The author, Judith Levine, decided to go on a full-on shopping ban for an entire year – not just clothes, but everything that isn’t considered a necessity.  It’s interesting to see what she defines as needs vs. wants (for instance, fancy varieties of rice are considered needs, but q-tips and wine are considered wants).  It’s really interesting to watch her journey, especially since she lives for part of the year in New York City, which is one of the most consumer driven cities in the world.

Without spoiling too much, I also found it interesting that the two times she broke down and broke her ban, she bought clothes.  She doesn’t come to the book from a fashion perspective per se, but she makes some keen observations about feeling like all the current styles are passing her by, with her unable to participate in them.

Her ban is far more extreme than anything I will probably ever do.  But I love thinking and learning about society and how it ticks (my Bachelors was in Sociology) so this book really appeals to me.  Plus, it lets you discover what the experience of not shopping for a year is like, without the pain and withdrawal of actually doing it.  I highly recommend this book for anyone curious at taking a closer, personal look at consumerism and it’s effect in America.

(I’ll catch you up on what I bought in my regular shopping ban post next week.)

Shopping Ban: Week 8

I’m discovering that I’m really focusing on accessories right now during this ban.  They’re generally more affordable than garments, and they can work to create completely new looks with pieces that you already have.  So here’s what I bought this week:

Headband from Anthropologie  $20

$20 might seem like a lot for a headband (and it was on sale too!)  But I really like this one a lot, and  it’s actually reversible, so it’s really like I’m getting two headbands for $10 each.

Same headband reversed

Hue Tights in Cosmos  $12.50 at Anthropologie

It’s no secret that I love tights, despite the fact that it doesn’t really get that cold in Florida.  Most of my tights are in warm or neutral colors, so I thought that a blue pair would add a little more versatility to my wardrobe.

Those purchases both came from the $50 free day I have budgeted each month, and it only added up to $32.50.  That left some additional free day money, as well as the $33.50 in ban money I had from not buying anything the week before.  $3.50 was still left from week 6, $15 from week 7, and $15 from this week.  So I bought something that I’d been craving on Etsy for awhile.

Amethyst Necklace from RedChair $36

I’ve wanted to buy from RedChair for awhile, and I’ve been craving an amethyst necklace lately.  So when I realized that this one was within budget, I snatched it up.  And I love it.  I need more purple in my life, and this is a good start.

So that used up all of my ban money, plus $2.50 from the free day money.  That leaves me with no ban money carrying over to next week, and $15 in free money carrying over.  This is good, because I’m going to San Diego for a family wedding next week, so I’ll have a little more free money available in case I find something I absolutely love while I’m there.

(Note: I’m feeling a bit under the weather today, but I will try to post the winner of the leggings contest by the end of the weekend.  Hopefully today)

Shopping Ban: Week 6

Magenta Vintage Vera Silk Scarf  = $8 at local antique shop

(it’s much more vibrant than the image lets on)

Well, one thing I’ve learned is that it’s a lot easier to stick to a shopping ban when you are broke.  When my bank account is extremely low, I don’t really feel any temptation to shop and over-spend.  Rather, I feel more like staying home and working with what I already have – fixing items that need alteration, working on sewing projects, etc.

However, I have noticed that when I am out and about and need to kill time before an appointment, I will usually go into a store and browse.  Sometimes this will get me into trouble with impulse buys.  This week it wasn’t too bad though.

I decided to kill some time this week by browsing in a local antique shop.  I find these particularly fun to browse, because while I love looking at antiques, I will rarely buy anything.  I checked out the jewelry section first, but most of it was way out of my price range (including a gorgeous $39 jade necklace).  Then I proceded to look at the rest of the shop.  I figured I wouldn’t get anything, but then I had to stop and check out the 50% off section, because a beautiful burst of magenta caught my eye.  That magenta happened to be a gorgeous silk Vera scarf, on sale for a mere $8.  While money was quite tight this week, I could handle $8.  I’ve been wanting to add a greater variety of colors to my wardrobe, and magenta is one I particularly like.  The size and shape of the scarf are perfect too.  It’s versatile enough to be worn as a headband, around the neck or on a purse.  I also really love the fact that it’s a solid color, because most of my scarves are patterned.

This was all I bought this week, and I had $11.50 to spend.  This means that $3.50 will carry over to next week.  Woo-hoo!

September Budget

For those of you who have been following my blog for awhile, you know about the budgeting ups and downs I have been going through.  Now that I’m working full time, I’m still having to really watch how I spend, because I’m not in a permanent position yet, and thus money is still very tight (even more so than before, since I’m no longer relying on student loans to subsidize my living).

I’ve re-arranged my September budget spreadsheet to help reflect these changes, and I like the new version better.  I’ve organized it so that all of my general expenses are at the top, with shopping ban and discretionary expenses at the bottom.  The general section is made up of absolute necessities (rent, utilities, etc), regular monthly expenses (Netflix subscription, YMCA membership, etc) and necessities that are flexible (toiletries, household items, etc).  I think that having things organized in this way will help me to focus my spending more on what I actually need, and spend less on things that I can do without.

I also added a section to Necessities for loan/credit payment.  I want to get my student loans and my credit card paid off, and while it may take awhile, if I can at least set aside $100 every month, I’ll be making progress.  I’ll try to make it more if I can.  More and more I’m beginning to feel that credit is an evil thing, because it lures you into a false sense of security, then makes you more and more dependent on it when you face the reality of how much income you actually have.  At least, that’s how I feel about my student loans.

Shopping Ban: Week 4

So, I didn’t buy anything this week, mostly because I don’t get my first full paycheck until next Friday, and money is very tight.  Also, I’m going to the beach for four days starting tomorrow, so I want to save my money for enjoying some vacation time.

While not spending money, I have been spending a lot of time thinking about how I want to spend it. Since I still haven’t actually spent any of my weekly ban money, I’ll have a good bit accrued by the time I will actually have money in my bank account to spend ($75 next week, $100 if I can hold off one more).  So, I think I’ll have a little Etsy shopping spree, staying within my ban limits of course.  Here’s some things I’m considering.

A Custom Blouse

Dollhouse Top  $46

Ureshii

I’m really lacking good solid colored blouses, so getting a custom one in a good color would help a lot.  I particularly love the sleeves on this one.

Brooches

Poppy Brooch  $16

Sakura Urban

I love how brooches can add an extra pop of color or texture to an outfit.  They’re an affordable way to spice things up.

A Simple, Silver Necklace

Thelma  $36

Elephantine

I’m really craving a simple, relatively unadorned silver necklace lately.  So much so, that there will probably be an Etsy Love post on them soon.

Long Earrings

Wishes  $14

Shi Jewels

Because  I’ve realized that my new hair cut looks awesome with long earrings, and also because I don’t have very many.

A Vintage Sweater Guard

Vintage Sweater Guard with Light Blue Stones  $5.50

Buttermilk Sky

Because I love to wear cardigans, and because they’re so classy and Mad Men-esque. (Postscript- Okay, so I actually did buy this one.  I’ll review it on next week’s ban post)

Other things I might like: an amethyst necklace, a statement ring, some silver earrings, a chunky, colorful necklace or this gorgeous sakura necklece.  Because I’m a Microsoft Excel nerd, I think I’ll make a spreadsheet of my Etsy wishes and prices, and then figure out what I can afford.  Or maybe I’ll just get what I’m drawn to that’s within budget.  We’ll see.

Budget Confessions

(photo by me)

If you’ve been following my blog for awhile, you may know that I’ve been trying to stick to a budget since January.  For a recap, go read my Spring Update and Summer Update.

I have a confession to make.  Despite creating this budget and “trying” to stick to it, the fact of the matter is that the only month since January that I stayed in budget was February, which also happened to be the shortest month of the year and the month of my birthday (= b-day money to spend).  Some months I’ve only gone over by a little bit, some months I’ve gone over budget by a couple hundred dollars.  The problem is that I got used to having that student loan every semester to get me through, and right now I’m having to face the harsh reality of not getting a lump check all at once. I’m starting a new job on monday, which will fully cover my rent, groceries and regular monthly bills.  However, it leaves very little extra for non-necessities.  I will be substitute teaching as well, but that won’t provide much more, and it’s inconsistent in hours.  Thus, I’ve decided that it’s time to institute a shopping ban ala Sally from Already Pretty.  I think that this is the only way that I can curtail my shopping enough to make ends meet, and start paying off my student loans.  My previous budget plans gave me a bit too much freedom, and I abused it greatly.  So here’s my new shopping ban, in place until I either get a full-time job or December, whichever comes first.

• I will give myself a $15 a week allowance for spending at thrift stores, vintage shops, or on Etsy.  No malls.  If I don’t spend my allowance one week, it rolls over into the next.
• I will be allowed one $50 free day per month, which I can spend anywhere I like.  This is to keep me from feeling too deprived.  This is also because I can’t give up Anthropologie for four months; I’m addicted.
• I haven’t decided what to do about shoes yet.  I’m leaning towards buying no shoes at all during this period.  If I decide to allow it, then only three specific pairs will be allowed – a pair of brown dress pumps, a pair of ballet flats, and a pair of knee-high boots, because those all fill gaps and can be worn professionally.  Definitely no sandals are allowed, as I have more than enough for now.
• All other non-necessities besides clothes, shoes and accessories will be in a separate budget area.  I haven’t decided yet how much I will budget for this each month.

Hopefully with this plan, I can keep from going further into debt, start paying off my loans, yet not feel completely deprived.  I’ll keep you updated.  Wish me luck!

(And Alechia don’t worry, our Anthro date is still on.  That’s my free day for this month  )

Summer budget update

(photo by me)

So budgeting wise, I kind of screwed up in the month of May.  I don’t regret it, but I learned a lot about how I spend.  Part of what pushed me over was buying my new Fiorenzas, which I don’t regret.  But a lot of other aspects fueled my overspending as well.

One: Restraining myself for too long leads to massive over-spending.  I started the month with hardly any money, just enough for groceries and bills really.  Then I got my summer student loan, and suddenly the floodgates opened, and all I wanted to do was spend money.  There were also lots of things I had been putting off, like dry cleaning, alterations, hair cut, new clothes, etc, and they added up.

Two: Stress makes me spend more money. I had my comprehensive exams and my teacher certification exam in the middle of May, right when I got my loan.  During the exams, I was buying lots of vanilla lattes at book stores while I studied, and did a bit of stress relieving shopping.  After I was done with them, I still felt somewhat stressed out so I shopped some more.

Three: Being out of the house makes me spend money.  While my exams were going on, we were also having a dying tree removed from our yard, which meant lots of loud machinery, not exactly a study environment.  Being out of the house so much, I couldn’t always bring my lunch, and thus I spent more.

So yeah, I went over, but at least I learned something and I’m not in a desperate money situation (yet).  May ended my first budget season, so now I’m making one for June, July and August.  I’m hoping that I will have a job as a media specialist beginning in August, but since that isn’t a guarantee, I’ve worked my budget so that my loan should last me through that month.  I took out a little extra for this semester, so that I would have some money to buy clothes for interviews.  I’ve set a separate, $1000 budget for this and other interview related expenses, like getting a hair cut, buying some new makeup (as I’m almost out), etc.

For my regular budget, I’m keeping it similar to how I had it before, with some slight tweaks.  I’m up-ing the amount that I’m allowed to spend on groceries, because I find great joy in cooking, and trying new recipes is good for my health and well-being.  Also, I want to start participating in a local organic vegetable delivery program, which will cost a bit more than buying at the grocery store, but will be much better quality and support a small, local business.

Because this budget period is a bit shorter than the last one, I’m also raising the amount I’m allowed to spend on non-necessities from $400 to $500 a month.  I think this will help me feel less deprived, which will keep me from rebelling and over-spending.

I’m creating loose guidelines for my non-necessities, non-interview prep budget:

Guidelines for non-necessities budget:

• Shop at thrift, consignment, outlet stores and online primarily
• Items that can be bought elsewhere: shoes, undies, hosiery, gym clothes, hair accessories
• Focus on professional and summer wardrobe
• Work on filling wardrobe gaps

I’m not completely outlawing shopping at malls or non-thrift stores, but I’d like to focus on re-discovering my love of thrifting.  I think that full-on outlawing buying anything new would not be good for me right now, as I would start feeling deprived, and then over-spend anyhow.  Also, with my recent discovery of stores that have items that really resonate with me, like Anthropologie, J. Crew and Ann Taylor LOFT, I’d rather not have a complete ban at this time.

So we’ll see how it goes!

Spring Budget Update

(Photo by me)

Well folks, we’ve hit the month of May, which is the final month of the budget I set out back in January and the month when I get my summer semester student loan and start a new summer budget.

Here’s a re-cap of my budgeting up’s and down’s:

Fall 2008 – I receive my third student loan as a graduate student.  I managed alright the previous two semesters, so I don’t really feel the need to set a budget for myself.  However, at this time I am also becoming more aware of my personal style and how I want to dress.  I also discover the beauty (and pain) of coupons for Ann Taylor Loft, Express and Victoria’s Secret.  I buy clothes and other things, including several new pairs of shoes (since at this time I also discovered the value of Borns and Clarks).  By December, my loan is shot, and I live paycheck to paycheck for several weeks, only spending money to get groceries and pay bills.  Enter my New Year’s Resolution, which was to set a budget and control my shopping.

January 2009 – I consider the value of buying quality items and buying fewer items (still a philosophy I hold to ).  I go through a very methodical process of figuring out how much money I have total for the semester, what expenses are certain and necessary, and how much I have for the non-necessities.  I create nice pretty spreadsheets, because that’s just the way my brain works.  Then I spend $200 buying my beloved Fluevogs, pushing myself way over budget for the month, and back-slide.  I vow to be more responsible.

February 2009 – Partially because it is the shortest month of the year, and partially because of birthday cash, I didn’t go over budget this month.  I got several new items, many of them thrifted, and enjoyed having new things in my wardrobe.

March 2009 – I went over budget again, mostly because: a) I had to pay taxes b) I had to buy new glasses.  I spent some time reflecting, gave myself some shopping challenges, and spent some more time reflecting on lessons learned.

April 2009 – I create some new shopping guidelines for myself to help me control my spending.  However, I’ve only really shopped once since then, partially from being busy, but mainly because I have used up the loan (again).  I’ve also been learning to love what I already have, and have been embracing the challenge of working with the wardrobe I already have, as well as creating pieces from scratch for it.

So that’s leading up to now.  I’m spending some time reflecting and getting ready to prepare my budget for the summer, which will be somewhat different.  The summer semester is shorter, but it’s also my last, so I will need to be preparing for interviews, which includes some grooming (hello manicures!) and some work wardrobe shopping.  My shopping guidelines will remain in place, but I’m modifying them to allow for buying shoes at the mall and having one (or two) outlet mall trips.  Stay tuned!