Out with the Old (Budget), In with the New
Moving on, it’s time that my 2008 spending page disappears and one for 2009 appears in its place. Hopefully, I will be a little more timely in keeping it updated (but don’t hold your breath).
I confess I went over. I’m not worried about it because:
- The extra money I spent came out of my pocket money, rather than being put on a credit card or taken away from family needs.
- Having under-spent the year before, I was beginning to look scruffy and that REALLY doesn’t fit my idiom.
- I’m still learning. :) I also confess there are some things I bought over the past year which have not ended up working for me. But not many.
Annual total for 2008: $801.30
- $654.83 as of December 2nd.
- $14.44 to Jo-Ann Fabrics for clear bra-strap holder and bra cups to add to my new swimsuit.
- $17.81 for fashion jewelry.
- $4.07 at Target: half-sleeve, bow neck knit top in raspberry.
- $24.99 at Target: roll-sleeve, button-front, woven, with knit panels, shirt in dark blue.
- Alterations and dry-cleaning.
Total over-spent for the year: $70.30. Oh well.
Going into 2009 with a budget of $543, I expect some significant wardrobe challenges, especially finding a mother of the bride dress. So far, I’ve bought one item: a purple paisley cashmere v-neck ($42.39 at TJMaxx). Notice my most recent purchases are a bit more colorful?
So … what is the state of your wardrobe and annual budget?
I’m kind of hoping to make it through 2009 without needing much, as this is not a good year for budgeting.
I am trying to spend only 400.00 this year for clothing and accessories for myself. It’s going to be tough, as I have spent 52.00 dollars already, but I have to try….
Wow - that’s a tiny budget Rebecca! (mind you, clothing is a lot more expensive in Australia than the US).
I don’t have a particular budget, but occassionally buy on need when necessary, but need to keep fresh for my job.
You did really well, I’d say! I don’t actually budget but also really don’t “need” anything, and can’t resist cute things on sale — however, for 2008 my husband and I spent about $2000 for clothes, shoes, accessories, all new and in various countries . . . I was a bit aghast at this total, seeing it in print makes it more real! My husband keeps all our spending/earning on a spreadsheet he created so it’s quite handy to keep track . . .
For 2009 I plan on getting back into shape so more of my clothes will fit better, prolly buy less since we might be making another international move (to the US) but we’ll see . . .
I like the idea of a budget for this year as you do, but I know myself and would only be irritated if I broke it . . . . how did you decide on your budget figure? Maybe if I alloted a certain amount per month, between $50 -100/mo, that might be easier . . . but unfortunately I already spent $200 this year so far *GASP* — soooo many good sales going on!!
I’ll have my usual $50/month ($600) + a $400 annual “fun money” fund, which I may use this year for clothes. (Last year I took a weekend trip with a friend using the fun money, and my husband bought a guitar–saves us a lot of financial bickering.)
You see, every three years I must replace my glasses. Some years we are able to budget separately for them, but this year, they will have to come out of my clothing budget. They are shockingly expensive ($300-400) and very difficult to fill and fit, so I have never had any luck cutting corners to save a little.
Luckily, I am in pretty good shape other than the glasses. I got some nice Christmas presents and also replaced most of my “unmentionables” in December. I will buy some long- and short-sleeved tees new, but other than that, will mostly shop at thrift stores this year.
On my dream list this year is some outwear. Right now, I am yearning for a down coat like this one:
http://www.landsend.com/pp/ChevronDownCoat~174712_59.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::AZU&CM_MERCH=IDX_00002__0000000158&origin=index
It has been so cold here that I have been living in my disreputable, bright red puffer jacket, which I thrifted ten years ago. I am going to watch this Lands End coat and also ebay for similar coats, and may make a purchase late in the spring for next year. I’d also really, really like a good raincoat–but I think this may not be the year for it.
I got that exact Land’s End coat at Sears in Feb/March last year. They were clearancing them out. I paid $30 for it. I bet they have a similar sale this year.
Imogen - I’m pretty sure if I lived elsewhere I would need more. That said, I know plenty of people who spend less … and part of why I want to be transparent about what I do is so they feel like they have a place where they can participate in the conversation. I remember a time in my life when I felt so out of it and disconnected, being broke, that it was really depressing.
Ellem - Ever since I started my daughters on a clothing allowance of $1 per year of age per month, I have given myself an amount calculated in the same way. And you are right there are alot of good sales this time of year, so I wouldn’t be too hard on yourself for already having spent $200.
I’m not sure yet what my budget will be. Clothing budget for the weeds - I mean kids - is set, but I haven’t even figured out what I’ll need to replace or update yet. The strap on my “classic” black everyday purse snapped last week, and at 8 years, it’s looking a bit too ratty for another round of repairs, so I will likely start with that. I need to make the budget a priority - before I go shopping.
Rebecca - I like the clothing allowance breakdown for children. If I can start an envelope for my daughter, that has the potential to save me loads of drama. (The boys don’t care.)
I am impressed! Yes, some could say they spent less, however I doubt many could, and still boast the variety and quality that you got. So you win, even if you did cheat a little. (haha)
Hey, this shirt pictured looks an awful lot like the shirts I am referring to that make me look really icky.
70 bucks is less than 10% over so declare victory and move forward! I am grateful that you’re transparent and welcoming people with various budgets. Writing down what one spends is essential to making wise buys. I just spent $375 but everything was perfect, will be worn into the ground and was 40% off. That should do me till the summer.
Just read this comment about a budget of $1 per year of age, per month. That would give me an annual budget of $720, which is very challenging if one has to dress for four distinct seasons, work in a formal business setting, and replace a winter coat and boots, or if it includes upkeep.
I would love to be able to do it!!!
Maintenance–dry-cleaning or hemming for instance–does not come out of our regular clothing budget. I try to keep this sort of upkeep to the bare minimum by hand-washing, doing our own mending, and such, but any expenses come out of a household services category (the same category as snow plowing, septic tank pumping, and such). I’d be curious to know how others handle the budgeting.
We sometimes allow an additional budget for special purchases coming in a given year–things like a suit for a job hunt or a mother of the bride dress.
When we were newly married and very strapped, though, we didn’t pad the budget this way, and more things fell under the umbrella of clothing. I was so devastated the year my husband told me that my serious knitting habit had to be funded from my clothing budget! We have since renegotiated . . .
Sheri- LOL
But seriously, budgeting as you do makes sense. I’m not certain what most people do, but I suspect that some don’t think about dry cleaning at all when they set up their budget, or worse, two parties working off the same budget each think it comes from a different category.
Carrie - I don’t think the shirt looks nearly as good in the picture as it does on. And I usually wear it tucked in.
Duchesse - you are right, it is challenging! I don’t need formal business clothing, although I do have four distinct seasons and include upkeep, and it’s still challenging. Which is why I freely supplement my clothing budget from my spending money.
And I’ll probably grant myself the leeway to budget separately for the mother of the bride dress. Although I really would like to get something that is otherwise useful.
I’m due with my first baby in just 4 weeks, so this year’s challenge will be the size game. Obviously I have my existing wardrobe still in place, but I don’t know if I will be bigger, smaller or the same size, and how fast I will reach a “new normal” - plus, I’ve heard even if my weight is the same, it might not be distributed like it used to be. So I’m just going to have to wait and see and buy as I go. I have bought just a few things on super-duper clearance in one size larger than my old usual size to wear right away.
I think having a few things on-hand in a size larger is a good idea. Also, don’t be too disappointed if you can’t fit into anything non-maternity at first (I remember having to wear elastic waist pants and/or loose fitting dresses for awhile right at first). But then, and I know this may be controversial, it seems perfectly normal to me (I’ve had three kids) to be able to wear your normal jeans within a few weeks or months. But maybe not your normal shirts until you’re done nursing.
The state of my wardrobe is excellent. A relative who recently lost enough weight to need all new clothes gave me damn near everything in her closet (she’s quite a fashion plate so it came to eight giant black garbage-bags full). Even after I removed everything that didn’t fit or wasn’t my style or color (she’s a tad into the peasant look and hot citrus shades) I have half a dozen decent jackets, ditto sweaters, ditto skirts/pants, and more tops than you can count. Some will need a little renovating and most of the hems have to come down (I’m taller than she is) but I’m not complaining.
Nice! And it looks like you probably have the skills to do the renovations.
Thanks for stopping by!
You’re welcome. I just learned about your blog and I’m enjoying it.
(Iin the words of either Gen. Macarthur or Arnold Schwarzenegger, I’ll be back!)