JULY’S BUDGET: $150

1. Staples:

• Navy Blazer
• Silky Tank

2. Replacements:

• Olive Green Shorts

3. Wants:

• Gingham Blouse
• Neon Flat Sandals
• Harem Pants
• Gold Shorts

$150 is my budget for the month of July.  I typically have a bit higher of a clothes/shoes/accessories budget but just getting back from my Europe trip where I took time off without pay is not really ideal for a large shopping budget.  Honestly, I could do without ANY shopping this month, but I know myself too well and have realized if I set a budget and make a list of items I’ve really been wanting or know I should invest in, it will be best for me and my shopping habits.  Basically, it will make it easier to get the shopping high I get from finding great deals and steals, along with staying within my budget and leading to more versatile wardrobe and last, BUT NOT LEAST, a smaller credit card bill…. and who doesn’t love that?! After hearing from Fran of Franishh and how she is starting a Blogger Budgeting Link Up, I knew I needed to be a part of this not only to show readers how to budget, but to challenge myself to do a better job of sticking to a budget while shopping! One of my favorite bloggers who shows her monthly budget and pieces she finds is J from J’s Everyday Fashion, definitely check out her blog for more budgeting tips!

Budget Challenges:

$150 can go pretty quickly if you are trying to buy more than one staple and trying to stock up on some of your wants.  Sometimes the question is do I try to invest all of this in a great navy blazer (which is first on my staples list) or do I try to find budget-friendly versions or try to thrift.  The biggest challenge for me would be to find ALL of these items for $150 or less.

Also, with working full time, volunteering, keeping up with social activities, working out, the blog and things around the apartment, let’s be real I LOVE ONLINE SHOPPING.  Online shopping is convenient and makes it so easy for me to find what I’m looking for, but sometimes the shipping and handling is just ridiculous.  On a tight budget of $150, I don’t have much wiggle room when it comes to shipping & handling charges!

Let’s take a look at my solution to these challenges and what might help me in my budget goals this month.

Budget Solutions:

Thrifting! There are a few of these pieces that could be easily thrited since they are staples, classics or patterns that have been around for years.  I have seen many navy blazers at Goodwill, etc. in the past and if I find a good one for less than $10, it may even be worth tailoring it for a perfect fit. Especially after seeing the 45 Amazing New Ways to Get Dressed in the Morning in LuckyMag, I know a navy blazer is a must, especially for the upcoming fall months! Fit will be the biggest challenge in thrifting a blazer and I really want one with gold buttons.  A silky tank is going to be another investment piece for me that could potentially be thrifed.  It can easily go under suits, blazers and with pencil skirts for work and go with a nice pair of pants, shorts or a maxi for easy summer casual or weekend wear.

Then there is the “replacement” category… meaning there are certain things in my wardrobe that I absolutely LOVE and are extremely versatile, but after many years have become worn out and could stand to be replaced.  This month, I would love to find a new pair of olive green shorts to replace the pair I bought from H&M five years ago. They have served me well, but they have seen better days.

The wants are simply that… WANTS! I don’t own any gingham, I want a pair of neon flats since I love my neon heels, and a pair of harem pants would be a cute alternative to skirts and shorts when I have to keep my legs covered (I’m currently in the process of laser hair removal and you can’t have any sun exposure 4 weeks prior to the appointment). I want gold shorts as a dressier alternative to my denim shorts for more dressy night looks. I think my best bet on the wants is to dive into sales and stores like F21, Charlotte Russe, TJ Maxx, Target, Marshalls, etc.

And with that, I am patting myself on the back saying “GOOD LUCK” on my budget and hunting for these items this month! We will see how my first shopping budget attempt goes! Do you set a budget each month for shopping? What are your needs/wants for the month of July? I will be updating my progress and picks throughout the month of July and share tips for bargain shopping along the way!

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