https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/birthday-spending-dilemma---what-would-you-do Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 03 Apr 2026 21:51:47 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/birthday-spending-dilemma---what-would-you-do#post-1234808 Sun, 27 Apr 2014 14:51:05 +0000 Anonymous 1234808@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Anne, you are very sensible and frugal and I have no doubt that you will know what birthday treat you want when you see it. I just hope, as I'm sure does the gifter, that you will spend the money on yourself. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/birthday-spending-dilemma---what-would-you-do#post-1234779 Sun, 27 Apr 2014 14:05:24 +0000 anne 1234779@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks Lisa and Beth An. I've been out of range all weekend. I'll need the shoes before Christmas! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/birthday-spending-dilemma---what-would-you-do#post-1232382 Thu, 24 Apr 2014 18:01:11 +0000 Beth Ann 1232382@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well, I immediately think of Christmas money!&nbsp; </p> <p>I know, no help at all!&nbsp; </p> <p>Seriously, I'd let next Summer sort itself and think of what you might need in the next few months. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/birthday-spending-dilemma---what-would-you-do#post-1232381 Thu, 24 Apr 2014 18:01:00 +0000 Lisa 1232381@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I would hold on purchasing anything until things settle down.&nbsp; A new job may mean new dressing requirements you'll have to shop for. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/birthday-spending-dilemma---what-would-you-do#post-1232280 Thu, 24 Apr 2014 16:23:25 +0000 anne 1232280@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks everyone. Lots to think about ! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/birthday-spending-dilemma---what-would-you-do#post-1232136 Thu, 24 Apr 2014 13:34:49 +0000 carter 1232136@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wouldn't spend a penny now. Peace of mind that you can buy true essentials when you need them sounds like the best birthday present ever. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/birthday-spending-dilemma---what-would-you-do#post-1232023 Thu, 24 Apr 2014 11:11:42 +0000 leopardluxe 1232023@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm with rabbit. If it's birthday money I like to be able to find the exact right "special" thing that I will always associate with having bought for my birthday and enjoy searching for what that might be. I also like to be able to share with the person who gave me the money (usually mom) what I finally bought with it.</p> <p>So one year mom gave me some money and I spent several months looking for a&nbsp;particular type of earrings then used the money to buy them. Then I could say to mom, " thank you again! These are the earrings I bought with the money you gave me" --and I always associate the earrings with my birthday and mom when I wear them so they make me even happier/nostalgic than if I had just bought them with my own money or just used the money to buy some new t-shirts for the that season (which would be replaced in a year or two out of necessity). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/birthday-spending-dilemma---what-would-you-do#post-1232010 Thu, 24 Apr 2014 11:01:25 +0000 Kim 1232010@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'd keep most of&nbsp;the money for sandals, UNTIL I had another job. &nbsp;I wouldn't want to be without an "essential" if I was unemployed too. &nbsp;It would be nice to have one less thing to worry about if that does happen. &nbsp;&nbsp;I would however take a small bit of it, ($40?) and buy myself something fun NOW too. &nbsp;Best of both worlds! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/birthday-spending-dilemma---what-would-you-do#post-1231960 Thu, 24 Apr 2014 09:32:30 +0000 Lantana 1231960@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Since you don't have certainty about work post-July, I suggest you save all your dollars for the much needed sandals. Have fun in the meantime shopping your closet. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/birthday-spending-dilemma---what-would-you-do#post-1231936 Thu, 24 Apr 2014 07:47:10 +0000 anne 1231936@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jeanie, I wouldn't buy the sandals until next summer - it is past sandals season here and I don't need them til around November.</p> <p>I will be able to purchase these things out of my regular budget IF I get a job! I don't think I'll have a &nbsp;clothing&nbsp;budget as such if I don't! (we'd be living off savings and what DH gets, equiv to about 2 days a week pay, though it may go up).</p> <p>Rabbit, I think you exactly understand! My fear is that "there may not be any give in the budget before next summer". And I agree with not buying clothes for next season. &nbsp;Your wisdom sounds good - to put aside enough to &nbsp;cover those necessities and leave a little for a treat. And of course if I do get a job I can spend the saved money earlier, since I'll be able to allocate money to shopping again.</p> <p>In answer to your question,&nbsp;am not a huge fan of spending a lot of time in shops and hunting bargains, though I do over analyze pretty much any purchase I make. I am much more likely to just not buy ANYTHING. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/birthday-spending-dilemma---what-would-you-do#post-1231904 Thu, 24 Apr 2014 06:23:58 +0000 rabbit 1231904@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If you are worried that there might not be any give in the budget before next summer I&nbsp;would set a ballpark price for the sandals and other necessities&nbsp;(what you can get them for at a discount for decent quality) and have that as part of your emergency fund savings - &nbsp;if you track that anywhere or keep the money in a separate account. &nbsp;I wouldn't buy many clothes a season before you need them unless you come across a style you know will work that is very deeply discounted.</p> <p>I would maybe take part of your birthday money and spend it on something fun and useful, but if it were me (and I've been in a similar situation) &nbsp;I would have fun with the searching, and try to get the biggest bang for the buck. &nbsp; I got an Etsy gift certificate once and spent over a year searching Etsy until I finally finished it off just because I found the process enjoyable.</p> <p>I guess it really depends whether you have time for and enjoy the hunt (thrifting, clearance, sales, etc.) &nbsp;or whether you don't and would rather buy fewer things without the time investment. &nbsp;Which part is the treat for you? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/birthday-spending-dilemma---what-would-you-do#post-1231889 Thu, 24 Apr 2014 05:59:05 +0000 Adelfa 1231889@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Summer is a ways away for you. Do you have time to save up for sandals out of your regular budget? I would be inclined to buy something special (but still useful) with the birthday money.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/birthday-spending-dilemma---what-would-you-do#post-1231886 Thu, 24 Apr 2014 05:49:40 +0000 Jeanie 1231886@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmmm. Since shoes are expensive but tend to jazz up an outfit, I would get a new pair of sandals. &nbsp;Maybe you will still have enough left for a new tee or 2&nbsp;and you could buy a bra with your monthly budget money. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/birthday-spending-dilemma---what-would-you-do#post-1231854 Thu, 24 Apr 2014 05:22:11 +0000 anne 1231854@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So this is the situation<br />My "clothing budget" is around $40 a month, which I have currently overspent up til around June. So I am pretty much on SYC, though I have been buying the odd small (ie less than&nbsp;$10) purchase and shoe mending from other, "pocket money". But my work contract (it is a&nbsp;maternity leave relief position) ends in July, so I may not have any more for some time (that is a worst case scenario, obviously I hope to find a job, but they aren't that easy in my field and the job market is softening)</p> <p>Looking ahead the only absolute need I have is a new pair of flat sandals for next Aussie summer. My cobalt sandals may not last the distance, and need a replacement too. Otherwise there may be other things that are okay now, but need replacing over the next year or so - my one everyday bra for example. And my tees are probably in need of refreshment - they are 3 summers old.&nbsp;<br />And then there are just things that are nice to have to update the wardrobe a little - a new casual sweater, a new top.</p> <p>I plan to spend the money I received for my recent birthday ($140)&nbsp;on clothes at some point. The question is &nbsp;should I buy something "nice to have"&nbsp;now, or keep it for the essentials (eg the flat sandals) next summer?</p> <p>What would you do? </p>