July Budget Update

- Shopping
July Budget Update

Hello friends and fellow shopaholics! Ahhh yes I am back to that topic of July’s budget. I wanted to document my steps this month since it is my first time attempting to create a list of things I want for the month and a set budget. We are a third of the way through the month and I must say I am pretty pleased with myself so far!

I have spent just over $80 out of my $150 budget and have crossed four items off of my list of seven. I have $68.42 and I still would love gold shorts, a navy blazer and a  versatile silk top. This could be challenging to achieve, but I am ready to take it on! So far I have shopped at Forever 21 (online) and spent just over $50 (allowing for free shipping! Whoooooot!) If you remember from my budget post last week, I LOVE, ADORE, NEED online shopping in my life, but those shipping fees can really be a pain in the butt, especially while trying to stay on budget! I found my neon sandals online at URBANOG.com and for $20, I was willing to pay $9.99 in S&H!

So the next steps for the rest of the month: THRIFT! I have not made it to any local Goodwills or thrift stores and I think that’s how I am going to accomplish staying within my budget.

Fears/concerns: I have already spent over half of my budget within the first 10 days… I fear I may get anxious at the end of the month and see wonderful sales and want to buy more. Again, the goal with having a list of wants, staples, etc. and a set budget is to feel the satisfaction of finding great deals and getting what I set out to on the list. That doesn’t mean there won’t be some hurdles along the way… but I have already done well in saying “NO” and moving on. In fact just yesterday I was about to buy a pair of gorgeous earrings for $20 and I clicked out of the cart! It felt good to say no! I was so proud of myself I told my boyfriend about all of this and he didn’t seem so impressed. Of course I was confused, how could you not be proud of me?! Then I realized he had no clue what my previous monthly spending habits were. I used to at least spend twice as much a month, so I have severely cut back on my budget to help minimize my shopping impulse. Could I budget for $300 rather than $150? Yes, and in fact some months I may, but that’s not the point. I want to save up money for other things I love like traveling and exploring more of the fabulous area I live in… going to new restaurants, etc. Anywho, long story short, he was proud of me after I told him that! Yay! Happy me, happy boyfriend, happy life, right? 😉

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19 Comments

  • Reply
    TJ
    July 10, 2012 at 11:36 AM

    i love this idea of setting a budget and finding those things that you have been looking for. definitely going to be putting this to the test 😉
    xo TJ

  • Reply
    Tara
    July 10, 2012 at 12:56 PM

    Totally love the neon sandals!

  • Reply
    two birds
    July 10, 2012 at 2:35 PM

    good for you! it’s tough, but definitely doable. if you ever need a thrifting buddy, let me know!

  • Reply
    Di - City and Burbs
    July 10, 2012 at 2:44 PM

    Hey there, good for you! I really need to do the same and set a budget, it’s just so hard. Wish I had as much will power as you!
    xx,
    Di
    http://cityandburbsblog.com

  • Reply
    Kacie's Kloset
    July 10, 2012 at 5:01 PM

    This is the second month I have set myself a monthly budget. My problem was that I always feel guilty for purchasing clothes and usually return things. So having a budget helps take away the guilt 🙂

    http://www.daisyraeboutique.com
    http://www.kacieskloset.blogspot.com

  • Reply
    Heather
    July 10, 2012 at 5:15 PM

    Good for you for setting a budget… maybe you’ll rub off on me 🙂 I’m actually at Lake Nokomis in those pics but yes we should totally get together again soon! I am sending positive puppy thoughts your way girl!

    XO
    http://www.pearlsandpaws.blogspot.com

  • Reply
    Fifth n Sixth
    July 10, 2012 at 5:35 PM

    I love the idea of setting a clothing budget, instead of just buying things..my sister and I really need to adopt your philosophy!

  • Reply
    Tasia of Ruffles & Sequins
    July 10, 2012 at 6:26 PM

    Heck yes! To the neon sandals 🙂

  • Reply
    CC
    July 10, 2012 at 6:38 PM

    Wow, great idea. I have tried to make a budget and a general list of what I need, but haven’t thought of combining them in a month. I’ll have to give that a try! Good luck with the thrifting, hope you find some great deals. And good luck on sticking it out throughout the rest of the month!

  • Reply
    Franziska
    July 10, 2012 at 7:34 PM

    I’m proud of you! Yesterday I put some sunglasses back at UO (but I still want them…and they were only $14), and today I didn’t buy a shirt on the JCrew website because the code for 30% sale items ended up not working. SO MUCH MONEY SAVED 🙂 Keep strong the next 20 days…just think of it as saving towards a fall wardrobe!

  • Reply
    Atalante
    July 10, 2012 at 7:55 PM

    LOL Men will rarely understand our shopping habits… Mine has no idea. I think he would have a spasm if he knew.

    Don’t you wishing shipping was always free (without the minimum)?

    Good luck staying within your budget for the rest of the month! Will power! 😀

  • Reply
    Jessica
    July 10, 2012 at 9:19 PM

    You and I are ON THE SAME EXACT PAGE. I currently spend about $300 a month on shopping, but would love to be more disciplined and purchase things that are on my really, really, want list and not just impulse buys. And my bf SO doesn’t understand when I tell him about my shopping budgeting or how I scored something I had been lusting after on super sale.
    xx
    Here&Now

  • Reply
    Megan, The Frugalista Diaries
    July 10, 2012 at 9:58 PM

    i want harem pants
    Xo Megan

  • Reply
    erica
    July 10, 2012 at 11:56 PM

    I think I need to try this. I don’t necessarily spend too much on clothes since most of mine are thrifted but sometimes I buy stuff I don’t even need or somewhat like. I think my closet would love me a lot more if I kept a list of things that I really really wanted and stuck to it.

    xo erica

  • Reply
    Sharon
    July 11, 2012 at 8:02 AM

    I’ve done a budget in the past and it was really helpful. And then for a while I put myself on a total shopping ban because I realized I needed to spend the money I was using on shopping on more essential things.

  • Reply
    Megan
    July 11, 2012 at 9:13 AM

    Great job sticking with your budget! I love that gingham top 🙂

  • Reply
    the clothing menu
    July 11, 2012 at 11:58 AM

    Awesome deals! I’ve tried something similar where each season I write down what trends I want to buy and try to find the best deals for them. My problem is I don’t set a budget like you do – I probably should!

    Kristen

  • Reply
    Samantha
    July 11, 2012 at 11:18 PM

    Rachel, this is really good and inspirational! I’m actually about to start a shopping diet! It’s seems to keep a person accountable when you have it in ‘writing’! And you know I love thrift shops so I’m sure there are some great things that won’t break the bank there!

    xo, sam

  • Reply
    Final July Budget Update! – First Video Post | Rachel's Look Book
    July 27, 2012 at 11:05 AM

    […] post updating you on my July budget.  You can see my first two posts on my July budget here and here talking about what I was hoping to get and an update on where I was at part way through the month. […]

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