Budgeting Bloggers Q3 2016
I admit it, I spent way too much this quarter. As far as budgeting bloggers is concerned, I threw my budget into the wind, decided it didn’t exist, and did whatever I wanted. Not good for my wallet, but also not the worst thing ever. Let me explain:
Before I left my job earlier this year, I set aside quite a bit of money. I put together an emergency fund that should sustain me for about 6 months if everything in my life falls apart. That’s not getting touched. I also put aside some spending money. I knew life was going to be different, and that I was going to explore new options, so I gave myself a little money to buy myself some nice things. I felt like I deserved it after a year of struggling with happiness and self-esteem.
Well, lets just say I have now spent most of those extra funds. Not just on clothes, but this quarter clothes took out quite a chunk. But again, it’s not the worst thing ever. In fact, the clothes I’ve acquired over the last 4 months or so have me feeling more like myself than I have in a while. For the last few years I was buying clothes largely for my job. That shopping mentality, combined with some weight gain that made most of the clothes I already had in my closet no longer fit, left me with a wardrobe that didn’t feel like me anymore.
Now I’ve changed that. I wrote about my big closet clean-out a while ago. With the new things I’ve added to my closet recently, I’m thinking about doing one more sweep and really narrowing down the things I have to things I like, that fit, are comfortable, and feel like me. Sometimes you have to budget, but sometimes you have to put yourself first (within your means, of course). I needed a change in my wardrobe to go with my change in location and lifestyle, and because of it I’m feeling happier and more confident every day.
Moving forward, I’m slowing my roll. I want to get good use out of the things I have now. The only things I want to spend money on for the rest of the year are things to help me make it through the rainy/cold weather headed our way. I just bought a new rain coat that should sustain me, but I’m sure gaps in my wardrobe will become apparent once it’s raining every day (I’m really excited about the weather change though!). But my plan is to only buy the minimum to make it through the season. We’ll just have to see how I do in my next budget wrap-up!
| Date | Item | Store | Cost |
| 7/10/2016 | navy shorts | modcloth irl | $33.99 |
| 7/10/2016 | red button skirt | modcloth irl | $44.99 |
| 7/21/2016 | bow ring | old navy | $7.95 |
| 7/21/2016 | black/gold ring | old navy | $7.95 |
| 7/25/2016 | clever girl pin | kate gabrielle | $10.20 |
| 7/25/2016 | black happy color pin | kate gabrielle | $10.20 |
| 7/25/2016 | women inherits pin | kate gabrielle | $10.20 |
| 8/4/2016 | grey sweater vest | yesstyle | $17.51 |
| 8/4/2016 | pink oversize cardigan | yesstyle | $20.32 |
| 8/5/2016 | nude bow wedges | nordstrom rack | $44.90 |
| 8/5/2016 | jegging | nordstrom rack | $39.97 |
| 8/5/2016 | botanical dress | nordstrom rack | $14.97 |
| 8/5/2016 | blush skirt | nordstrom rack | $34.97 |
| 8/5/2016 | floral black skirt | nordstrom rack | $34.97 |
| 8/15/2016 | pink stone necklace | charming charlie | $13.00 |
| 8/15/2016 | teal dress | loft | $78.02 |
| 8/15/2016 | pink flower tee | loft | $15.06 |
| 8/15/2016 | black sleeveless blouse | loft | $34.77 |
| 8/15/2016 | black pencil pants | loft | $39.57 |
| 8/15/2016 | black dotted pants | loft | $39.57 |
| 8/19/2016 | pink scallop dress | asos* | $20.00 |
| 8/19/2016 | sheer pink blouse | forever21* | $10.00 |
| 9/10/2016 | black button down top | loft | $14.50 |
| 9/10/2016 | white spotted tie blouse | banana republic | $38.99 |
| 9/13/2016 | tiered peplum top | yesstyle | $43.91 |
| 9/13/2016 | white collar | yesstyle | $4.46 |
| 9/13/2016 | black gold tip collar | yesstyle | $6.41 |
| 9/13/2016 | rabbit brooch | yesstyle | $3.53 |
| 9/13/2016 | bow hair tie | yesstyle | $4.25 |
| 9/27/2016 | rain coat | nordstrom | $230.00 |
| 9/29/2016 | black jumper skirt | modcloth irl | $64.99 |
| 9/29/2016 | houndstooth cardigan | modcloth irl | $49.99 |
| Q3 Total: | 1044.11 |
*bought second hand
I wish my wardrobe was half as cohesive as your purchases from this quarter! The nice thing about your purchases is that they can largely be worn year round (in my climate they can anyway). I love the mix of textures and patterns that you picked up.
Thanks Cassie! I’ve been working really hard on making my whole wardrobe cohesive over the last year or so! And I’ve lived most of my life in places that don’t have much in the way of seasons, so I tend to pick things I can wear all the time. Now that I’m in Portland, though, I may need to add some more sweaters to the mix!
That picture with the blush and black and white is swoon-worthy! So pretty! And you’re a fellow Portlander!!! Yay! (Okay, so I live in the ‘burbs, but still. :)) I think it’s great that you did a wardrobe overhaul and are now left with clothes that work for you!
Lol, I sorta live in the burbs too! And thanks! It’s been so much more fun to play with a wardrobe that works for me ๐