May Budget

- Shopping
May Budget

Before I get into my horrible spending habits this month, let me tell you how I feel right now as I’m putting this post together (in gif form of course):

1000w

Up until this month, I have stuck to my budget… well for the most part (a couple months I was over oh by $20 at most)? This month shame shame I am over by about $80. Which is almost as much as I set my budget at. Excuse me while I give myself a dirty look. My fault, I know, but still. Old habits die hard I guess.

Let’s start by breaking it down:

Ralph Lauren Jean Jacket – Thrifted via Goodwill $6:  Perfect fit and the perfect color I was looking for. I wanted something in a dark denim so I could wear it over dresses at work and feel more dressed up.

White Dress – Thrifted via Goodwill $6: This dress is gorgeous and the perfect LWD for work and play!

Monet Gold Earrings – Thrifted via Goodwill $2.50: Had to have these earrings. I usually accessorize with gold, so they are perfect.

J.Crew Gladiator Wedges – Thrifted via Goodwill I was THRILLED to find these strapped wedges for $8 and even though they were a 9.5, I tried them on and they fit! Hooray. (See here)

Thrift Store Finds Total: $22.50 (I bought these items for a new series I will be doing on the blog about thrifting, stay tuned!)

Cap-Toe FlatsShoeDazzle $4.95 I don’t think I have expressed my love for ShoeDazzle enough, have I 😉 I was so excited to get these flats for $4.95 with my VIP credits!

It Takes Two Top and Double Decker Capri – Ellie Monthly Subscription $49.95 + $0.00 S&H = $49.95 My obsession with Ellie’s fitness clothing continues to grow. These capris are amazing and so well made and the top is a great alternative to my usual razor back tanks. I wore this to work out the other day and then ran errands. These are the best errand clothes too! ***If you are interested in signing up, you should do so SOON for the fit fashionista club because they are going to start charging S&H on all accounts, if you sign up BEFORE June 1, you can continue to get free shipping. Just like other monthly subscription sites, you can skip a month, or if you aren’t interested in the new items they came out with, you can still get a full outfit from previous collections for $49.95. If you are interested in signing up, you can save 20% here.

Gold Spike BraceletSira & Mara $13.50 I adore this bracelet and it is stretchy, which is perfect for my big wrists.

Candy NecklaceSira & Mara $12.99 I’ve been searching for a gorgeous colorful necklace ever since seeing this outfit on Elle. FOUND IT and for under $15, I was sold. (See here)

Sira & Mara Total:  $29.99 including S&H

Gray T-ShirtOld Navy $14.94 Needed TO replace this one. Love the length, style and feel.

White T-ShirtBanana Republic $22.50 This has been on my Holes in My Closet list for awhile. I just never could make a purchase because I wasn’t sure. I want a really nice one that lasts awhile, but didn’t want to spend more than $50. I remember I had a nice oxford from Banana Republic that lasted me a long time, and read good reviews on this one, so we shall see. It is too early for me to tell if this is the perfect white t-shirt for me or not.

Green Gingham Button-UpOld Navy $17.99 I have been looking for a long-sleeve gingham shirt for awhile and wanted a red or green one. Tempted by the free shipping of over $50 with my purchase of the other t-shirts, I had to buy this!

Old Navy/Banana Republic Total:  $48.49… It was $54.99 with $0.00 for being over $50, but then I got $6.50 off in PROMO codes (one for Mother’s Day, do I feel guilty using it and not being a mother, NO I do not. I mean I am technically a mother of a crazy hyper Mini Aussie). Yeah, I like being able to get free shipping even after it goes below $50 with promo codes!

Cargo ShortsH&M $12.50 I went shopping with my bestie last weekend at the new H&M in Uptown (thank goodness, because if you are like me you will avoid the MOA at all costs – okay Sunday mornings are the best time to go – and this one has a better layout). Well I couldn’t resist these shorts for summer at $12.50. They are super comfortable and don’t stick to my thighs, which will be great in the summer heat. I might go back and get a couple other colors!

Striped T-Shirt – H&M $5.95 Can you tell I was on a t-shirt theme this month? I desperately needed to replace my old one, which I shrunk in the wash and ended up as a belly shirt (whoops). The material is super soft and for $5.95 I guess I could replace it with a nicer one in the future.

Striped Cardigan – H&M $10 For how much I love wearing stripes AND cardigans, I didn’t own a single striped cardigan until now. For $10, I was very excited to pick this up in a blue color!

H&M Total: $28.90 I do feel guilty about this shopping excursion last week, but not guilty enough to return anything. I will be wearing all of these items a lot, so I guess it could be worse.

May’s Budget: $100

May’s Total Spend: $184.78

OVER BY $84.78

But here are a few thoughts (thoughts sounded nicer than justification):

I did end up crossing off at least one item on the Holes in My Closet list. I love the way this  white t-shirt felt when I tried it on and it is better than digging through my boyfriend’s closet to wear one of his plain white Hanes t-shirts. Also, after taking outfit pictures with my old gray t-shirt, I realized I really needed to update that t-shirt as well.

I guess I can’t defend my purchases too much. I also really really wanted to challenge myself to thrift a WHOLE outfit for under $20. Props to Macklemore. Luckily I had $22.50 in my pocket that day and I think I came out pretty good: white dress, jean jacket, gold earrings and a pair of strappy wedges! Summer casual perfection in my book! Hopefully I will be wearing and sharing this outfit soon 🙂

Linking up with Budgeting Bloggers over at Franish!

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20 Comments

  • Reply
    AJ
    May 26, 2013 at 7:40 AM

    Don’t beat yourself up, I go over almost every month! I think I might check out that Ellie website…I’ve heard both good and bad things, but I won’t know until I give it a chance myself.

    -AJ
    FitTravelerAJ.com

    • Reply
      Rachel
      May 26, 2013 at 9:04 AM

      You definitely give it a chance! I must say I LOVE the styles and it is high quality. They have had some problems with shipping on time because they are new, so I know a lot of people were upset about that, but in this last collection I got my package a little over a week later, so not too bad. In March though I ordered on the 1st and didn’t get it until the 28th 🙁 But they have fixed that now. Also, I know some people really want them to create more supportive tops, which for me doesn’t matter because I always double up on the support anyway with a sports bra and the tops still look cute!

      • Reply
        AJ
        May 26, 2013 at 9:10 AM

        Cool, thanks for the info! I signed in, but haven’t signed up for the actual service yet. Is there a way that you get credit for me joining?

        • Reply
          Rachel
          May 26, 2013 at 9:21 AM

          That’s a good question! So I just looked it up and there is link that connects to my account to earn $10 towards their clothing! It’s no biggie 🙂 I’m just hoping if you order you love their stuff as much as I do! 🙂

  • Reply
    ashleigh
    May 26, 2013 at 10:28 AM

    I can’t wait for your thrifting feature! You did great with those J.Crew Wedges, I am beyond Super jealous right now. Though you went over, you can always scrimp next month. You seriously did such a good job these past few months! I need to shop online more and sign up for coupons etc. I usually blow my “budget” in one shopping trip! You are still and inspiration, so don’t feel too guilty.

  • Reply
    Sue
    May 26, 2013 at 4:46 PM

    I’m impressed that you found those shoes! They’re pretty nice. You’re still doing better than me on the budgeting front – I’m still adjusting to being responsible for pretty much all my needs, so I’ve got a bad tendency to spend way too much on clothes…

    xo
    Sue

  • Reply
    GLAM Life Blog
    May 26, 2013 at 9:25 PM

    I love thrifting; I always find the best things whenever I go bargain hunting. Don’t beat yourself up too much about going over budget. It happens to the best of us. I don’t even *want* to think about how much I went over my own budget this month. *sigh* There’s always next month to do better! 😉 ~Maika
    glamlifeblog.com

  • Reply
    Heather
    May 27, 2013 at 9:09 AM

    lol don’t cry Dawson!!!! After we go to Savers, you’ll feel much better 🙂 🙂 🙂

    XO
    Pearls & Paws

  • Reply
    Amy
    May 27, 2013 at 10:14 AM

    Oh my goodness, I am sorry about your overspending but I am loving this crying Dawson. Just made my day! Don’t worry–you can always catch up next month 🙂

    xo Amy
    urbanfrill
    poppy

  • Reply
    Franziska
    May 28, 2013 at 5:49 PM

    some months we go over, and some we stay under. I think you’re really trying to make your money stretch as much as it can with thrifting, and you are thinking more about your purchases, which is what budgetting bloggers is all about 🙂

    • Reply
      Rachel
      May 28, 2013 at 9:27 PM

      Indeed! I figure at least I know how much I’m spending on clothes, where in the past I would just spend and spend and wonder why I never had extra money to go out with friends. Now I know 😉

  • Reply
    Valerie @ The Style Files
    May 28, 2013 at 10:06 PM

    I LOVE that LWD and can’t believe you got it at Goodwill- amazing find! And although you went over this month, at least you are conscious about it and can adjust accordingly for the coming months! Being aware and tracking this stuff is half the battle, I’ve found!

  • Reply
    Double Stripes
    May 29, 2013 at 6:00 AM

    […] blouse or cover-up of another color.  I am thinking that even though I feel guilty about what I spent this month, at least I am already wearing some of my purchases. When I wait too long, it usually means it just […]

  • Reply
    Ashley @ The Preppy Runner
    May 29, 2013 at 10:06 AM

    Um, I want to live where you do…GREAT goodwill finds!! So jealous. I went over my budget too, but think of it as an investment!

    xoxo
    Ashley @ The Preppy Runner

    • Reply
      Rachel
      May 29, 2013 at 10:07 AM

      Haha, yeah sometimes our Goodwills are full of some really nice things! 🙂 I am trying to think of it as an investment. I mean I have literally worn everything I bought this month, so that’s good!

  • Reply
    Ashley
    May 30, 2013 at 10:35 AM

    I can’t believe you found those cute wedges thrifting! Looking forward to your post about thrift stores – I love them, but I don’t go enough. Even though you went way over, everything you bought was such a great price. You can make up for it next month hah!

  • Reply
    Let’s Talk Finances
    May 31, 2013 at 7:22 AM

    […] finances, regardless of my attempts to stay on budget (and this isn’t just relating to my May shopping budget) and I thought maybe some of you feel the same way or could offer me some […]

  • Reply
    Ana
    May 31, 2013 at 10:51 AM

    I feel your pain. Last month, I spent a ridiculous amount and I ended up regretting several purchases. This month I made a return and tried to stay away from the malls. I failed at that, too! You however, WIN at thrifting! Those JCrew sandals are sooo cute!

  • Reply
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