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? 😉