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Saturday, January 01, 2011

December Purchases

I swore I wouldn’t buy anything new in December (since I spent my December budget on November boots), but I made a couple of exceptions.

Minneapolis Airport
1. VCLM Alice in Wonderland inspired charm necklace, $22.50.

I’ve been drooling over the Tom Binn’s Alice in Wonderland charm necklace for most of the year, but I thought the $175 price tag was ridiculous. When I found this knock-off version, I had to make an exception to my nothing-new-in-December rule.


Tom Binn’s necklace on the left and the knockoff on the right.
I have lengthened the knockoff in this photo and also layered it with a tri-metal chain necklace.

Urban Outfitters
2. Two pairs of tights, $20.00


Everything else I bought this month was from the thrift store.

Goodwill
3. Travis Ayers skirt, $3.99
4. Mossimo cape, $9.99
5. Jones New York striped top, $4.99
6. American Eagle gingham shirt, $3.99


I spent $65.46 this month.

My budget for the year was $1200, and I spent $1701.45. 2010 was the first year in which I set a clothing budget at all. What did I learn?

• $100/month is a reasonable clothing and accessories budget for myself.
• I’m willing to blow my budget for quality footwear that gets a lot of use. ($400 of my yearly spend was on two pairs of boots.)
• I need to plan large purchases (like expensive footwear).
• If I feel like recreational shopping, it’s best that I stick to the thrift store, Target’s clearance section, or 15dollarstore.com.
• I almost always spend too much when I go to the mall (especially Kenwood and Rookwood) and when I'm shopping to kill time (like at an airport).
• My favorite place to shop is the thrift store. Second favorite is Google (because it is so easy to find the best price).
• Tracking my purchases (and reporting them to you), has helped me say “no” to many unnecessary items.

In 2011, I intend to continue the $100/month budget and report on my success.

12 comments:

  1. Congrats on tracking everything! I think it's a great way to keep yourself for spending for the sake of spending :)

    Love the Alice in Wonderland necklace, that was a good splurge!

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  2. You did very well! So well that I'm embarrassed about my own expenditures.

    I'm coveting the Alice knock-off necklace, though. The question is, do I want to make a special trip to the airport to go shopping?

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  3. Thanks for passing along your lessons. I think I am going to apply one of them..when I want to do recreational shopping this year, I am going to lean toward the thrift stores. I really need to cut down on the spending and thrifting makes it more fun any way!! I love your knock off necklace and your tights!

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  4. Thanks for sharing. I've enjoyed these posts about budgeting for your clothing purchases.

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  5. Happy New year !
    I have never thought of a budget for clothing, I just see if I have the money for it at the moment or if I can cram it into my credit card.
    I think 100 a month is good, of course if you know where to shop-
    Thank you for sharing, you just gave me a few good ideas.

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  6. Thanks for the tip about Valley Thrift! My daughter, granddaughter and I hit the one in Reading on Thursday and scored big time. There is one (even larger I was told) by Jungle Jim's. JJ's is always a lot of fun too.

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  7. The cape is just too cool! And the necklace is really pretty!

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  8. Elyse L5:16 PM

    Believe us, the pleasure was all ours in meeting YOU! Hope you have an incredible new year, thank you for helping the rest of us feel we can be fashionable and still budget, and I look forward to every new post in 2011!

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  9. Love the necklace
    Very inspiring to learn that you kept to your budget didn't feel deprived.
    My husband will appreciate me reading your success story!

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  10. This is really inspiring - I will set a budget as well.

    Do you get to keep all your purchases or do you sell some of them?

    Thanks

    Teodora

    www.teodoraslookbook.com

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  11. Joanna4:48 PM

    I'm very inspired to read you spent so little on clothes this year. I spend way too much on clothes when I have way too much already. I'm not in debt or worried about money but am very guilty of over consumption. 2011 is the year that this will change. Thanks for posting your monthly purchase list. It is always a good read & has helped me to set a budget to try to reign in my clothing & especially my shoe spending. Thanks, Kasmira!

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  12. The shabooties haunt me. I love them and sadly they r no longer available.

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