Sunday, July 28, 2013

Budgeting Bloggers: July 2013

I'm not a fashion blogger.  Sure, I used to post a lot of outfit photos (and may do so again in the future, if I feel photogenic), and I still post a lot of shopping stuff.  But really I'm a random blogger, with shopaholic tendencies.

The first step is admitting you have a problem. (image source)
I was sooooo naughty in June.  $250 on two Kate Spade purses alone.  So I was bitching whining talking to my friend Caroline about how I need to just stop spending cold turkey in July, when she reminded me that Fran does this Budgeting Bloggers link-up every month.  You hold yourself accountable for your spending and do your best to stick to a pre-set budget, all while learning to stock your closet with things you'll actually keep.  (Quality>Quantity)  Quitting cold turkey is extreme, but budgeting is not!

Even though June was an epic bust, I figured I'd give this a go for July.  That said, I decided to count any purchases that arrived via mail after July 1st against my budget this month, as a little punishment for crazy June.  I also decided on $150 target budget per month, but credit myself when I make sales via Poshmark. When I told Duke about the $150 target, he was skeptical I could achieve it.  That just made me want to accomplish it even more.


  1. Downeast Basics Maxi Skirts ($60 for two):  I got a $10 discount code for this purchase, but it basically went away when I had to return a couple other items from the order (ugh, paying return shipping).  I love these easy, breezy skirts though.  They are already being worn every week.
  2. Bandelettes ($25 for two pairs with discount code):  I ain't ashamed of this purchase.  I saw these on Girl With Curves and Little Chief Honeybee, and I knew I'd be using them in the HOT Tennessee summer.  They're basically these beautiful little garters that protect your thighs from chafing in dresses/skirts.  I purchased in nude and black.
  3. Old Navy Shorts and Jeans ($17 total! with discount code):  I got these for a great deal.  A pair of black gingham shorts (inspired by Fran) and some tried and true skinny jeans.  Returned other items from the order though.
  4. Payless Comfort Plus Karmen Pumps ($30 for two pairs during BOGO sale):  Nude and black pumps for work, scored during a BOGO sale in-store.  These are way comfier than more expensive heels I own!
  5. Coach Legacy Stripe Scarf ($9+Posh credits):  Okay, random.  But it is pretty and I wanted one for my leather Coach bags.  And it's been sold out for ages.  <-- attempting to justify this most impractical and silly of purchases, probably the only thing on the list I am annoyed about. Ugh.
  6. Everlane T-Shirts ($30 for two):  Because Fran and Caroline insist they're amazing, and I'm fed up with finding a comfy white tee that isn't too sheer.  I chose white and muted black.  I agree with them that the white tee is just thick enough not to be sheer!  Best white tee I have every owned.  I don't think I'll buy white tees from anywhere else.
  7. Target Merona/Mossimo Tees ($25 for 4):  I needed more new t-shirts to survive the summer, and these fitted v-necks were on promo for a great deal.  I got two in black (two different sizes for different fits), one in mustard, and one in grey with thin stripes.  Love them all.
= $196 - $65 in Poshmark Sales = $131

For my first Budgeting Blogger month, not too shabby!  I thought I'd killed my budget in the first two weeks with June purchases.  It was hard to resist those summer sales.  But between returning stuff and selling on Poshmark, I was shocked how quickly I recovered.

I think budgeting will drive me to sell more things I don't need, shop more thrift stores, and really try to be choiceful.  I also want to focus on having clothes that fit, and purging my closet of, well, the extra stuff.  I have dropped off two large bags at Goodwill in the past couple of weeks, and I love how my dresser drawers open and close smoothly, and how my closet looks so nice and clean!

I think I'm going to see if I can do $100 next month!

Check out more Budgeting Bloggers here!

26 comments:

  1. This was my first month joining in, too! Congrats on the stuff you got while still sticking to your budget! I need to get in on this Everlane tee thing. I keep hearing such great stuff!

    Kaitlin
    www.teaandsequins.com

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    1. I was hesitant to jump on the Everlane bandwagon because I wouldn't normally pay $15 for a t-shirt. But when I think of all the $6 white tees that have disappointed me, this made it all worth it! Soooo luxuriously soft, and not too sheer.

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  2. Off topic - you have great taste in blogs! I will now be a Girl With Curves follower. She makes me proud to be curvy!

    I probably spend $30 a month on extras. I love thrifting and it has made me really cheap! Probably not a good thing...

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    1. I need to do more thrifting!!!

      And Girl with Curves is amazing.

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  3. Go you!!! SO many things - and while I'm not set on a set budget, I do work within a perimeter, and being strict about keeping only great pieces really has helped me edit my closet. I never feel as though I hate my clothes anymore. :)

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    1. Thanks for convincing me on that white tee. :)

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  4. Welcome to budgeting bloggers! Seems like you're off to a really great start, and all of those look like really good staples!

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    1. You have great budgeting skills! I'll be keeping my eye on your buys for inspiration.

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  5. I have those same Payless pumps -- I agree, so comfy! Stopping over via Budgeting Bloggers :)

    Jen @ Librarian for Life & Style

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    1. Your budget post this month rocked! So much for so little $$!

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  6. I just bought three of the Merona Ultimate Tees because they're AMAZING. I was able to get two of them for $4 each because one of the Targets near me had them on clearance. I was tempted to buy one in every color.

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    1. They are awesome! Much better than pricier ones at other stores. Except for Everlane white tees. LOL

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  7. This is awesome. I tried this a few months ago and need to get back on it. I spent way too much last month. What a great idea.

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    1. I have some months where the shopaholic in my goes crazy. Well, Duke says that's every month. But I think this will keep me honest!

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  8. Love all the t-shirts you got! And all of that for $131?! Great job!

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    1. I could have done better... but it was a good month.

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  9. Replies
    1. Look for discount codes from other bloggers! :)

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  10. Can you shoot me an email about your experience with Poshmark? I was on it for a hot minute, but then got discouraged. Love to hear your input.

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    1. I think I will turn my e-mail to you into a future post on Posh perhaps.

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  11. Wow, even though you spent more than you wanted to, you got a ton of awesome things. I love those shorts, and It's good to buy some basic tees, jeans, shoes, etc. once in a while. I would love to get an Everlane tee as well (I've been looking at them for AGES) but I haven't bitten yet (and I'm trying to spend much, much less from here on out). Everything I've read about them sounds perfect :)

    brynnash.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
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    1. I am an admitted shopaholic, so this was a challenge! I'm wondering if, once I build the ideal wardrobe, I can really trim it even more.

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  12. I'm sort of a very half assed catholic and a few years ago I gave up impulse buying for lent. I saved an ungodly amount of money. My stipulation was I couldn't buy it unless it was a necessity or unless I had set out to buy it when I left the house. This was surprisingly agonizing! I never realized how much I impulse buy.

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    1. I am the WORST about impulse buys, especially when I'm at Target! I don't know if I could give it up for that long.

      I actually saved a lot of money with this budget plan this month, though I know many people operate on a much smaller wardrobe budget. I'm happy with this as a start.

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  13. I am so glad you joined the budgeting bloggers this month! You pretty much nailed it right off the bat which is pretty impressive! I'm totally with you - the more I budget, the more excited I am to see if I can stick within the perimeters. It's kind of a great little victory every month :)

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    1. I think it's going to save me a lot in the long run; I can't believe I never tried to budget before. I used to force myself to not spend for an entire month which, like binge eating, made me want to spend a ton the next month.

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