i got the budget blues

I feel like I've probably addressed this before on this blog, but I am addressing it again - more so for myself than anyone else. So if you don't want to read about my monetary woes and the new budget I am strictly enforcing for myself, then you'd better just leave right now. Go on, scram.

Okay, all the budget haters gone? Good. Let's proceed.

I recently got a raise at work, which was really exciting because obviously this meant I'd have more money. Then I got to thinking about what I wanted to do with that money. I know that, more than anything else, I want to buy a house. I don't like renting - the idea of giving my money away and not owning anything in return bothers me. Especially when it comes to something as personal as your home. However, I am nowhere near being able to afford a house, and definitely not on my own. Boyfriend and I would be buying a house together, but even then we'd both have to save for quite some time in order to even afford a down payment on something decent. Sadly, we live in a part of the country where your money just doesn't go very far when it comes to buying a house. I know whatever we buy will have to be a fixer-upper, but even then we can barely afford a run down old shack! I know we'll find something perfect for us when the time comes to begin looking...but we'll never be able to start looking without some money in the bank first!

So I am imposing a  budget on myself. Obviously there's nothing I can do about bills that have to be paid, so after factoring those out of my income, this is the budget I am allowing myself [*Note! I live at home currently, so that is why I have so much money kicking around]:

Shopping: $200/month
(clothes, accessories, etc.)
Entertainment: $100/month
(movies, food, etc.)
Emergency Fund: $50/month
(as in, extra pocket money, this is not for medical emergencies or any kind of real crisis)

This may seem insanely generous. I know there are people out there way better than me when it comes to spending and saving, but I am just not very good. I am decent with saving money - as in, I have a savings account and I contribute to it as often as I can - but I also feel no remorse about dipping into it to buy a new pair of shoes or something. Also, the AmEx bill has got to go. To be honest, I probably spend a lot more than $200 a month on clothes and stuff. And I don't need clothes! I have plenty! I am going to embrace the art of the remix. I am also going to try to spend my clothing allowance on better quality things. I will not be blowing it all at Forever 21. I think I may even have a specific store or brand I will spend the $200 each month. Heck, some months I may decide not to buy anything at all!

I'm going to have a spreadsheet at home where I keep track of every penny I spent on anything that isn't a bill. As soon as I hit that $200 mark, I'm finished.

The $100 entertainment fund will be spent on going out to dinner, grabbing drinks, the movies...anything like that. That's plenty, I think. Because you know what's fun and free? Hanging out at home playing board games and watching movies with your best friend.

The $50 emergency fund is money that I will keep in cash, in an envelope, at my house. If an impromptu diner comes up and I've spent my entertainment fund - I'll have that to dip into. If there's an article of clothing THAT I WILL DIE WITHOUT - I'll dip into the envelope. I figure I won't need to do this every month, so the money in the envelope will eventually add up. Then I can use it on weekends away or something.

Fingers crossed, this will allow me to save a big hunk of cash every month! This all sounds so lovely and logical written out, doesn't it? now let's just see if I can manage to put my words into action...wish me luck!

Now it's your turn. Are you on a budget? How's it working out for you? Do you have a shopping addiction like me? How do you keep yourself from going all Becky Bloomwood every time you step into a store? Leave a comment or shoot me an email.

the end of the world as i know it

So this is it. The last day. Tomorrow marks September first and thus the beginning of my entire month of no buying clothing. I am kind of freaking out, but I also have a weird sense of relaxation. Of course, the relaxation is probably brought on by me fantasizing about the other things I will buy instead of clothing. Here's what I scored in a mad frenzy to buy whatever I could this past weekend:

Marc Jacobs Latin Phrase Ring -$3

Marc Jacobs Swallow Earrings -$32

ring only found at Marc Jacobs stores, earrings can be found at shopstyle.com

Jamie and I spent the afternoon in Boston on Sunday (more on that in another post). Happily, that meant we got to hit up Marc Jacobs for some affordable accessories and also to drool over shoes and bags. 

Forever 21 Leatherette Jacket - $34.50

I. Love. This. Jacket. I have wanted a cropped leather jacket (faux or otherwise) for the longest time. I do have one, but it's not quite so motorcycle-esque, which is why I really like this one. I plan on putting it over every dress I own once the weather cools down. It is the softest, squishiest fake leather too. (Note: blogger is telling me I spelled "faux" wrong, which I did not, but has nothing to say about "squishiest" which feels made up. Hmph.)

And that's really it! I did buy a work out tank for yoga, and to be honest I will probably buy more in September, but I think work out clothes should be excluded, seeing as I truly have none. I go to yoga twice a week and need a clean outfit each time as I sweat like a you-know-what in church. I don't have the time or inclination to do laundry more than once a week, thus I need more workout gear. The tank I bought (and am about to test-drive for the first time) is Under Armor, bought on sale at Nordstrom. I can't imagine a plain work out tank is interesting enough that anyone will be upset I am not including a photo. Google it if it is bothering you that much. :P

Oh and I did purchase a sweater dress and a pair of tights at French Connection, but they were bought with store credit and so I am not counting them! (I am feeling very sassy with this post, can you tell?) You will get to see them come fall when they are inevitably included in an outfit post. 

What do I plan on spending my hard-earned money on in September that isn't clothing, you ask?

Wa-BAM! Super Mario Galaxy 2 my friends. I will be hibernating for all of September with this, waiting for October, when the mall is once again a safe haven. Just me, Yoshi, and those adorable little stars. Special times are just ahead.

fall wishlist - part 1

I know it's only just July, but I'm already thinking about fall clothes. The stores are already starting to carry "back to school" stuff, so I've fast-forwarded to crisp leaves and apple pie. And, of course, new clothes. :)

Since it is only July, I'm just gonna go ahead and call this part 1, since I'm sure more will follow.

Aldo Elfering - AE Leopard Flats - Madewell Lace Illusion - Madewell Skinny Ankle - Aldo McKew

The brogues were on sale when I was perusing the Aldo site looking for a pair to use as an example, so I went right ahead and bought them! And I got an extra 10% off for signing up for their email club. They actually should have arrived at my Mom's today so I am going by later to get them! I hope I like them. Look how cute the brogues look with the ankle skinnies!

Speaking of the skinnies, I need a new pair of black ones, hence their appearance on this list. My cheapie Forever 21 pair have seen better days. I've heard nothing but good things about Madewell jeans and they have an inseam I won't need to get hemmed, so I think they will be worth the splurge.

The boots, on the other hand, will not be mine. I do not love them $110. But I am counting on finding a similar pair somewhere on the cheap. I'm looking for a short pair of motorcycle-ish boots (under $50) so if anyone sees any good ones let me know!

The Madewell tee is gorgeous. I love it. My love justifies the $42 for a tee shirt thing. I feel it can be dressed up or down.

Leopard flats. Adorable. I've been coveting a pair for awhile, so I'm finally going for it. Plus, I have a coupon.

Anybody else already have a fall wish list started, or am I the only crazy?

shopping sleuth

So I am a big fan of ModCloth for their interesting collection of t-shirts and dresses. I am wearing my Catcher in the Rye shirt I got from them right now! I've had this dress on my Wish List for a few weeks now. I can wear it to work when it's hot without a cardigan over it because it has sleeves, and it also has pockets. This makes it awesome. It is, however, a little pricey for el cheapo me.

Leapfrog Dress - $49.99

This morning I was perusing the Forever21 site, and came across this. Imagine my surprise/glee:

Printed Shapes Woven Tunic - $27.80

Qu'est-ce que c'est? Looks like the same dress to me. For a fraction of the price. And, if I am a very lucky girl, I will be able to find it in the store and won't even have to pay shipping. Because now I have to have this dress. I don't know who the one from ModCloth is made by - I can't find that info on the site. If the Forever 21 dress is a knockoff, it is spot on and that is fine with me. It's even got the pockets! El Cheapo wins again.

EDIT: I actually posted a comment in the reviews section of the ModCloth site, not to be nasty to them, but I feel like I should alert my other shopping lovers of a good deal. ModCloth rejected my review, on the grounds I didn't buy the item, but they wrote a very nice email explaining their pricing policies. They got back to me so quickly and took the time to write a personal email. Rare in customer service these days. So ModCloth, you still rock!

madewell: online shopping, finally!

Gosh I'm so excited. Madewell FINALLY has online shopping. Will I purchase anything? Maybe. But I am cheap and poor. I really just love being able to look at everything and dream.

Madewell

images via madewell.com