Saturday, November 30, 2013

Budgeting Bloggers: November 2013

It is time for Fran's Budgeting Bloggers again!  I was back at $150 as my goal for the month (no gift money this time!) so I thought really hard about what I wanted to purchase for November.  I had a few needs that stuck out to me from my wishlist last month, so I wanted to find items that fit the bill.

That said, I ended up with a lot of shoes and a lot of BLACK this month.  I have to admit I love black.  I had some big-ticket Poshmark sales (I think people are holiday shopping already) and made some big donations that gave me space in both my budget and my closet.  But then I bought a party dress... and busted the budget.


  1. Members Only Quilted Vegan Leather Moto Jacket (originally $99, paid $65):  This jacket in black happened to be on sale in my size online at Urban Outfitters.  I got it for $59, but paid tax on it bringing the total to $65.  I wanted something to layer over my outfits in the fall when it wasn't cold enough for a wool peacoat.
  2. Dr. Scholls Bethany Wedge Bootie (originally $100, paid $58):  I found the wishlist  Timberland Savin Hill Tall Boot for under $100 on Amazon...  but the calf was too tight.  Then I ordered the Coconuts Canda Wide Calf Riding Boot from DSW and these wedge booties to try on to get the two-pair promo deal, plus I had free shipping and a reward cert.  I figured I'd try them on and return them.  Well, I ended up not loving the Coconut boots (wrong style/color for me) and deciding to keep these!  They were less pricey than my Toms, which I was looking to buy in black for a second pair.  I actually think I prefer these; the Dr. Scholls insole is SO comfortable!  But I'm still on the hunt for brown leather riding boots with a wide calf and rubber sole around $100.
  3. Payless Women's Felix Flat (originally $25, paid $10):  Every year I toss my stinky flats out and replace them.  Always from Payless.  I just haven't found another brand that fits as well (the American Eagle line) and doesn't give me blisters.  I have these identical flats that I replaced during a BOGO sale with promo code.
  4. Payless Women's Fantasy Flat ($20):  Another pair of black flats, because I live in them!  This is a different style from what I normally get, more on trend.
  5. Everlane Snap Backpack ($70 with shipping):  I originally planned to get this bag in Burgundy, but then I decided that Hunter was more versatile.  I still debate as to whether I should have gone with Burgundy, but I absolutely love the bag.  I wanted a bag that could tote a laptop but with a classic look.  My current work bag is very techie and branded, and this serves as my MBA bag.  It's HUGE and durable.
  6. Old Navy Embellished Sweatshirts (originally $30 each, paid $20 each):  I've been looking for some warmer tops to wear in the office (I swear we still have A/C on) but comfort is a plus.  Embellished sweatshirts seem to be very "in" right now, so I snagged these on sale from Old Navy.  With the sale price, promo code, and shipping/tax, they came to $20 each.  Lisa at Respect the Shoes has one of these and it looks super on her!
  7. Eliza J Dot Mesh Bodice Fit & Flare Dress ($158+$15 in stupid TN taxes):  ERMAGHERD.  This may be the most favoritest dress I have ever bought in my LIFE.  I also tried another Eliza J that was a Facebook favorite of my friends, but this one just made me swoon.  I want to wear it all the time.  It makes me feel like Joan and Betty from Mad Men rolled into one.  I want to be buried in this dress.  It was not on sale, nope nope nope.  Taxes killed on this one, but shipping was free.  It's the little things.
$436 - $278 Poshmark/Blog = $158
Total Savings = $111

I was over budget for the first time EVER on Budgeting Bloggers!  Womp womp...  but $8 isn't terrible, right?  Especially since I've been under every other month.  I blame the tax on that splurge dress!

If you're shocked you don't see Black Friday deals, don't worry, I did shop! But I went with Mom so every single clothing item (mostly from LOFT!) ended up as a Christmas gift I will receive next month. My one big Black Friday purchase (hint, it's kate spade) won't ship until December so I am counting it next month.

Now that I've been doing Budgeting Bloggers for a while, I'm starting to think that I like how Fran has switched to a quarterly budget.  While hers was more for scholarship reasons, my reasons are more for the sake of wanting to make investment purchases vs. fitting everything to a smaller price per month.  So starting in January, I plan to move to a $500 quarterly budget.

Also, no wishlist this month!  It is the Christmas shopping season after all, so no doubt here will be lots of "free" items in the form of gifts here next month, plus some irresistible deals.

Don't forget to check out what the rest of the Budgeting Bloggers bought!

14 comments:

  1. You did incredibly well with your budget this month. That dress is to die for! A lot of her fit 'n flare dresses look great. I'm eyeing up this one: http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/eliza-j-stripe-metallic-fit-flare-dress/3579669?origin=keywordsearch

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    1. I LOVE that dress!!! This one is my first Eliza J, but I have a feeling that my big fancy dress purchase (tend to have one every year) will be her from now on. It is hard for me to feel good about spending so much on a special occasion dress, but my hope is choosing ones with a class shape and color will mean I can repeat them at events for years to come. :)

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  2. i love that bag in burgundy! but i am pretty biased though bc i have been curating wardrobe items in a specific color palette so it would literally go with everything i own! so so beautiful. and of course i love that dress, i hope to see it on you sometime! (ugh, that sounded like a pickup line or something)

    my must have items right now are a fitted varsity style jacket and the perfect hoodie. . . it's the little things!

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    1. I know, I still think about whether I should have gone Burgundy! It is a high quality bag and very sturdy.

      Maybe we need to have a little dress-up cocktail hour sometime? Just dress up for no special occasion and be fancy? :). I love the dress so much!

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  3. oh the dress, amaze-balls! I also went over my budget ($5) but all in all I got some great things (mostly thrifted) so I think like you, i've had a successful month.

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    1. I really need to get into thrifting! You got SO much this month. I have to admit, thrift stores often overwhelm me. There are just SO many things, most of them not right for me but some that are, and it requires so much patience and digging to find those gems like you do. Maybe that will be a good challenge for me next year.

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  4. I have been trying to spend on clothes only what I make on poshmark...but I was shitty at that and cannot stick to that restriction! :) I did find some amazing items on PM recently though. I got some brand new Toms flats for $25 that I am in love with...and a really cute blouse with a peter pan collar and bow tie. I call it my pilgrim shirt! I wore it for friendsgiving! :) I also got 8 bottles of Essie Nail Polish (full bottles) and a clutch for $25. I gifted half the essie to my sister so really that knocked out a nice hostess gift as well.

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    1. Ironically since I sell so much on PM, I hate buying because of the shipping costs! The few items I have bought turned out to be less stellar than their listing, so I think that initial bad luck months ago made me scared to keep trying, you know? I should give it another shot and look for things I have in mind specifically.

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  5. Also FYI that dress is adorbs. I am with jenna- we should have a LBD party!

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    1. LOL I love that suddenly we're planning a party around a dress! :)

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  6. Beautiful dress! Unfortunately I wouldn't even have anywhere to wear a gorgeous party dress like that. Love the booties too!
    Inge
    This Ever Evolving Life

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    1. I didn't think I would either, but now that I work a corporate job vs. the military suddenly there are holiday parties and I can attend more weddings. But I definitely wanted to choose one that I would feel comfortable wearing in my 30s, 40s, etc. if it still fits, and from the reviews at Nordstrom there are definitely older women buying the dress too. :)

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  7. I'm so glad to read what you wrote about Dr. Scholls shoes. I have been eying a pair for a while - I am looking for some more comfortable flats! And I LOVE that dress. I can definitely see why you got it - it's stunning!

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    1. I love pretty shoes, but as I have gotten older I will always go for ones that are more comfortable! Farewell cheapo heels from Forever 21... Hello Dr. Scholls. LOL

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