YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Budget Woes and Q's

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Budget Woes and Q's https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budget-woes-and-qs Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 16 May 2026 07:03:39 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Laura (rhubarbgirl) on "Budget Woes and Q's" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budget-woes-and-qs/page/2#post-1409668 Fri, 12 Dec 2014 02:22:15 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1409668@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Kasmira at <a href="http://whatiwore2day.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">What I Wore 2Day</a> does a monthly budget that rolls over to the next month. Maybe that's the one you were thinking of, citygirldc? I used to do it that way but now that I've switched to a seasonal budget it's less of a factor. Helena on "Budget Woes and Q's" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budget-woes-and-qs/page/2#post-1409361 Thu, 11 Dec 2014 17:54:34 +0000 Helena 1409361@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am not a budgeter, but I use the "Wealthy Barber" approach (Canadians will know who that is! Non-Canadians, the Wealthy Barber is a great book for those who haven't a clue about savings and personal finance). His recommendation is to have all the "must do" things taken straight off your paycheque or bank account automatically. We have our retirement and investment savings, mortgage, etc., all taken off automatically - then we can just enjoy the rest on whatever tickles our fancy, guilt-free! (And we never carry a balance on our credit card). Not sure that this would work for everyone but works great for us. Limiting the number of items in my wardrobe has also helped, because whatever I buy has to be better than something out of my best pieces, if that makes sense - in order to be worth eliminating something first. Good luck! citygirldc on "Budget Woes and Q's" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budget-woes-and-qs/page/2#post-1409356 Thu, 11 Dec 2014 17:30:39 +0000 citygirldc 1409356@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I just recently saw a blogger (can't remember the name) who made a budget of $250 a month for clothing and if she didn't use it that month, it would carry over to the next month.  I think I may try this technique starting January since most of my winter shopping will be done and there's not many new things out until February, plus I'll have extra money in February. The trick is to not go shopping in January. Elizabeth P on "Budget Woes and Q's" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budget-woes-and-qs/page/2#post-1409327 Thu, 11 Dec 2014 16:15:12 +0000 Elizabeth P 1409327@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I haven't really thought about HOW I'm going to do this, but now that I've pretty much replaced entire wardrobe, I have to slow down and stop spending so much on clothes.  Have to.  But the reality is that I won't stop completely, so how to approch this will be interesting.  For the past couple of years, I've been on the Lisap approach (budget? what's that?)  :).  I do think I've slowed down on the "hey I like that, let's give it a whirl" approach to shopping, as I'm honing in on silhouettes that work, and the psychology behind what feels good.  And I'm feeling more and more like I want to enjoy what I have, rather than just move to the next new thing.  All good.  thanks for the thread, the responses have been great, and I'm going to reread this a few times in the next few weeks when I have some time to think! Carla on "Budget Woes and Q's" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budget-woes-and-qs/page/2#post-1409193 Thu, 11 Dec 2014 04:50:16 +0000 Carla 1409193@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I like fashion, and I like shopping, but I like being financially comfortable more! I am also a small wardrobe person. My trick is to divide shopping (catalogue on-line, bricks and mortar) into 2 types. #1 is 'research' during which I recon the inventory and look at EVERYTHING. I do this ALOT. This gives me a sense of what is out there, what the prices are, how things are being styled and marketed. I don't put any pressure on myself to come home with a purchase, since that IS NOT the goal. Knowing the inventory well gives me a feeling of owning stuff, even if it is just the memory of where an item can be found. (That green midi skirt at Zara, those navy leather gloves at Danier, that black lace over bronze satin at Sears, the white on navy mariner T in LLBean, etc.). If I feel shopping fever coming on, I take a break or go home. #2 is 'purchasing'. I bring a list, with pictures from magazines, or my iPad with Pins so I can show them to the SA's who want to help me. I wear good foundation garments and comfortable clothes that are easy to get in and out of. I put my blinders on, and I go to the places that I know will have the things I want to try on (because I've already done the 'research'). I stick with my list which might be quite specific - black pencil skirt, red turtleneck sweater...or more general - plaid shirt, floral print dress. I've been doing a fair amount of 'research' recently, but purchases not-so-much in part due to buying and furnishing a new home, and being at a style crossroads. But, I find the approach I take ensures purchases are well thought out, and this in turn ensures wiser budget friendlier purchases. shedev on "Budget Woes and Q's" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budget-woes-and-qs/page/2#post-1409187 Thu, 11 Dec 2014 04:32:40 +0000 shedev 1409187@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ If all these items are 10s, does this give you a wardrobe without a lot of holes for all your seasons? If it does, this may work for you. With your basic wardrobe in place, you can use the rest of your budget for any trends or serendipitous finds you want to try. Like Suz said, this type of shopping works better when tweaking than when building. I couldn't have put this plan into the works last year. These plans take some discipline. I save a lot of things in wish lists.Eventually, I have to choose. Storing them in wish lists does give me time to really think about what they bring to my wardrobe. I put most things in while they are new arrivals.  Some of them are there long enough to be put on markdown. Some of them do sell out. These plans also take some faith. I've had a lot of luck stalking items on the internet. If I really do miss out, something will come along eventually. Anonymous on "Budget Woes and Q's" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budget-woes-and-qs/page/2#post-1409134 Thu, 11 Dec 2014 02:06:20 +0000 Anonymous 1409134@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Budget? What's that? Jen W on "Budget Woes and Q's" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budget-woes-and-qs/page/2#post-1409099 Thu, 11 Dec 2014 01:02:18 +0000 Jen W 1409099@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ To keep on budget I have set up a separate account linked to my checking account. It has its own debit card so I can track all the expenses and returns easily. I've put money in monthly, seasonally, and annually and I think seasonally has worked best for keeping me on budget throughout the year. As a visual person, I also keep track with Amazon wishlists. I add everything I'm considering to one wishlist, and then as I consider, cull, and eventually purchase I move items into another wishlist that I set up for the year. I add into the comments what I actually paid for the item including tax and shipping. If I return something I delete it from the list. I can see what I've already purchased for the year and track the number of items. The two systems together help me stay on track. And the first wishlist makes it easy for my husband to purchase things he knows I really want with easy links to all the websites. unfrumped on "Budget Woes and Q's" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budget-woes-and-qs#post-1409096 Thu, 11 Dec 2014 00:58:41 +0000 unfrumped 1409096@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I've learned I have to not look. If I look I will find a way to think I need something. Anonymous on "Budget Woes and Q's" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budget-woes-and-qs#post-1409015 Wed, 10 Dec 2014 21:54:41 +0000 Anonymous 1409015@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My DH and I sat down and worked out a budget. I keep a certain amount of $ in our checking account each month, and we pay off our credit cards in full at the end of each month. Any excess $ goes into savings. That's it in a nutshell. carter on "Budget Woes and Q's" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budget-woes-and-qs#post-1408994 Wed, 10 Dec 2014 20:20:22 +0000 carter 1408994@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I predict some girl math in your future! It would be very difficult for me to use up that much budget at the very beginning. I would feel so deprived the rest of the year. Should we hope that much of what you ordered won't fit?? Anonymous on "Budget Woes and Q's" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budget-woes-and-qs#post-1408912 Wed, 10 Dec 2014 17:02:11 +0000 Anonymous 1408912@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am so.bad.at.this. If everything that I have on order or en route fits right and is the right color, I will have spend half my 2015 budget in the first month (I am running Dec. to Dec. to take advantage of sales). So far this month, I have ordered: Wishlist Items Tan Leather Sandals (to be fair, they were on sale, I had $40 in rewards, and an extra 10% so I got them for almost 90% off) Olive Cargo Pants Coral Eyelet Dress  Camel Shirt Dress Brown Leather Hobo Style Purse Teal Shell with interesting neckline detail (to replace one that isn't quite the right color and one that is showing its age) Teal elbow length boat neck T (to replace one that is too short and doesn't get worn)(really thinking about not keeping, since its a duplicate and I am not supposed to buy dupes anymore, but I really like the ivory one I have) Wild Card: Tan Faux Shearling Lined Moto Style Knit Jacket (?)  One Button Brown Poncho type fleece wrap Ivory Merino Cardigan (to replace one that is too chunky and one that is too thin) Purple Merino V-neck Pullover Basics: Brown L/S Layering T Accessories: Rose gold bangle Rose gold station necklace Rose gold knot ring That leaves two pairs of shorts, skinny jeans, a solid (non-black/navy) wrap dress, a light weight L/S blouse, two wild cards and underwear refreshers for the next 11 months! thimblelina on "Budget Woes and Q's" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budget-woes-and-qs#post-1405450 Thu, 04 Dec 2014 20:25:30 +0000 thimblelina 1405450@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I can commiserate avette: I'm one of those more summery autumns & I only wear a 15 or so color palette. So when dusky Rembrandt reds are in style (like this fall) I want ALL the reds!!! But still, knowing I've stayed within budget feels better than a few additional pieces of clothing. And in today's world even things you miss out on the first time can often be found elsewhere on the web at a later date. gradfashionista on "Budget Woes and Q's" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budget-woes-and-qs#post-1405425 Thu, 04 Dec 2014 19:25:32 +0000 gradfashionista 1405425@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ On that note: you could make a budget thread in the Off Topics area, and people could check-in weekly to say whether they're sticking to it. gradfashionista on "Budget Woes and Q's" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budget-woes-and-qs#post-1405422 Thu, 04 Dec 2014 19:24:40 +0000 gradfashionista 1405422@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ yAt the beginning of the year, I tried going on a shopping ban, and used a program called Expense. Exceptions to the ban were anything gym-related, and undergarments, because those are absolute necessities. It worked for a while, but the problem was that a) my wardrobe/tastes were in a big state of transition, so I found myself not having much to wear; b) I didn't have summer Ts; and c) I have major foot problems, and when I find attractive shoes that sort of fit, I will buy them. I gave up on it, but am going to be giving it a second go in January, resume using Expense, and set aside a set amount for the year. It's easier if you're accountable to somebody other than yourself, maybe approach it with a friend? Anonymous on "Budget Woes and Q's" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budget-woes-and-qs#post-1405312 Thu, 04 Dec 2014 16:19:24 +0000 Anonymous 1405312@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Wow.  You guys have given me some great advice through some tried and true experience! I did try one item a month last year after I blew through my initial budget.  I increased it and then said , "Ok, just one nice thing a month".  But I failed at that. My problems stem from FOMO and being very particular about what I like, especially colors!  Since I am a true autumn and am naturally drawn to those colors anyways, I tend to buy things within a limited palette (warm brown, camel, ivory, olive (+other greens), aquas/teals, orange/coral, and eggplant/burgundy).  Some of these colors are hard to find, so when they are in style, I jump at the opportunity to stock up!   Looking at my list, I have 12  specific items, ranging from a couple dresses, shorts, pants/jeans, tops, a purse, and a sweater.  I like the idea of one a month, but let's be honest - I am so impatient and the FOMO is strong so I can't practice that kind of restraint.   I think I am going to borrow from Shedev and keep my articulated list at 12, and leave space for 6 surprise items, since I have some lower cost items on my list (I want to test drive a cheaper maxi dress before I decide if the style is right for me). Suz on "Budget Woes and Q's" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budget-woes-and-qs#post-1405218 Thu, 04 Dec 2014 13:39:01 +0000 Suz 1405218@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ thimbelina, that's it. I feel that way, too. When I buy something as a calculated risk (ie I'm not sure I will enjoy a trend or silhouette but want to try it) I am okay with it if after some trying, the item turns out to be a fail. I usually buy such items on sale or from a less expensive source in the first place, so I am not unhappy to pass them on and chalk this up to style experimentation. Things like this can often be quickly consigned or donated to someone who will really get pleasure from them.  But if I buy a closet essential (or what should be an essential for me) and fail to wear it or even worse, fail to love it, it makes me unhappy. That feels like bad shopping and poor management to me, and I hate to do it!  thimblelina on "Budget Woes and Q's" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budget-woes-and-qs#post-1405072 Thu, 04 Dec 2014 02:44:52 +0000 thimblelina 1405072@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You are right, that's a very appealing number. I'm worried my small wardrobe will balloon up too fast, so finding a comfortable amount of intake seems important. Probably not this coming year, but soon... I'm one of those people who used to think a magic wand would wave & my closet would be 'done.' (Even as I snickered about garden design clients who viewed their gardens that way.) The gym doesn't stop billing once we're in shape, right? And our hair doesn't stop growing once we get a cut? I'm now fully onboard with the need for perpetual wardrobe stewardship. But I do want to bring that cost down to a level where I won't regret it later and make sure I only bring home clothing I care about. Deborah on "Budget Woes and Q's" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budget-woes-and-qs#post-1405061 Thu, 04 Dec 2014 02:33:00 +0000 Deborah 1405061@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I budget quite tightly.  I have a certain amount of money for clothing and that's it:)  I allocate it to myself over the course of the year so I don't access it all at once (I have no self control) lol. I really like Gaylene's idea and I have been toying with that concept of 12 items over 12 months.  jerica kane on "Budget Woes and Q's" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budget-woes-and-qs#post-1405052 Thu, 04 Dec 2014 02:14:05 +0000 jerica kane 1405052@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Excellent topic! I think I may try Gaylene's idea. Now I have to decide on a number... thimblelina on "Budget Woes and Q's" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budget-woes-and-qs#post-1405034 Thu, 04 Dec 2014 01:39:06 +0000 thimblelina 1405034@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Yes, budgeting is hard. And sometimes it feels like waving a red flag at a bull. (But maybe that's just me; I'm a Taurus!) But I do think it's an important piece of the wardrobe satisfaction puzzle because mastery over your own budget rewards one with a feeling of ownership & accomplishment regarding the things you finally choose, as gaylene so deftly points out. I would say try a few different approaches and see what works. It's trying to do the same exact thing over & over again and failing that defines insanity, right? So try something new! It maybe your own personal idiot savant way of budgeting, but it's yours! I just developed my wardrobe budget for 2015. I didn't have a budget in place for June-Dec of 2014 because I needed so many little things for my new job. But just a day or so ago when I added them up & divided by the number of pay periods in which I had shopped, it matched my 2015 budget goals exactly to within $3.00. Meredith on "Budget Woes and Q's" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budget-woes-and-qs#post-1404982 Wed, 03 Dec 2014 23:52:10 +0000 Meredith 1404982@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I've tried a couple of approaches over the years.  For a few years I divided my total budget into months and tracked what I spent on paper, but I found the monthly allotments too limiting and often went over my limit.  I'm going to try to explain what I am currently doing, but bear with me if it gets long and confusing.  It works really well for me. Instead of a a designated amount per month I have five categories - Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall, and Wildcard.  The amounts per month vary based on how much I need to buy for that season.  I also think ahead to when I will actually be making the purchases for the season.  For example, I budget more money for Fall purchases because there is so much new product available and many items will be in use through early spring.  My "seasons" begin with the first month I think I might want to buy for the upcoming season (which actually tends to be the last month of the preceding season).  Basically, I spend a lot in August/September for fall, November for winter, March for spring, June for summer (tracking purchase helped me identify that pattern). So, each season gets a set amount that I can spend.  I can spend every budgeted dollar, but no more.  If I run out of money for a season I can draw from the "wildcard" pot, but because the goal is to save that money for one really awesome splurge, I rarely do so.  But, having the option to pull from that pot really helps me stick to my budget and not feel completely restricted.   I track all my purchases on a very basic spreadsheet.  If I have money leftover in a season it rolls over to the next season.  I also keep a running list of wants in the same column as purchases (they just don't have costs next to them) to help remind me to stay focused in my purchases. This strategy has been my most successful attempt to stay on budget, but of course at the end of the day it requires self-discipline.  In my very humble opinion you'll be better served if you can set a budget and stick to it no matter what rather than messing with prepaid card, cash, etc.  It's hard, but we can do it! shedev on "Budget Woes and Q's" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budget-woes-and-qs#post-1404977 Wed, 03 Dec 2014 23:30:38 +0000 shedev 1404977@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I tried 2 items a month last year. I slipped a couple times, but limiting my numbers did help me make better choices. I did find a lot of HEWIs. I think for this year, I'm going to do a list of 12 list items and 6 surprise items.  Suz on "Budget Woes and Q's" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budget-woes-and-qs#post-1404967 Wed, 03 Dec 2014 22:37:46 +0000 Suz 1404967@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am finding this discussion very helpful. Thanks for starting the thread, avesttestingray.  I have to confess, I am terrible at budgeting. For many many years I really had NO clothing budget, and I mean that literally. I probably spent less than $200 a year on clothes for several decades. The result was nothing to wear. Then I lost weight and REALLY had nothing to wear. Yikes.  Well, I'm here to tell you, in the last three years I've made up for those years of not spending.  My "budget" was see it, want it, buy it, and then decide whether to return it.  Well, okay, it wasn't quite that extreme. But almost.  I did at least hit "pause" before buying -- I had a system of putting things in the shopping cart and not buying for at least a week. I also had a rough idea of a $ figure that I would not go over. Which, magically, I managed to keep to, more or less. And increasingly, as I honed my style, I made better choices and quicker returns. So I stopped losing so much money on purchasing errors. (I made a lot of those at the beginning.) Moving forward, my work life is about to change again and I will be once again operating on a very small allowance for clothing.  Since I now have a working closet (something that certainly was not true before YLF) I am strongly considering trying something like Gaylene's method -- picking a number of items that I will allow myself to buy, and using that as my yardstick rather than a $$ figure. I think this system probably works best for those who already have a decent wardrobe and who are only replacing/ upgrading vs. building a closet from the ground up, as I was before.  Laura (rhubarbgirl) on "Budget Woes and Q's" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budget-woes-and-qs#post-1404933 Wed, 03 Dec 2014 20:51:41 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1404933@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I keep a text file on my computer with my purchases by date and a running total. I started out dividing my budget by month but shifted to seasons (cross-quarters to be specific). Whenever I decide to keep something and cut the tags off I enter the date, the store, the item and what I paid. That also lets me keep track of how many items I bought per season and what kind of items they were (ie were they all tops, or all from the thrift store, or whatever). I've got a pending section for online orders I'm waiting for, tuff I'm still deciding on, etc. That keeps me from overbuying online and not being able to make my budget in case everything works out (it rarely does, but it's the principle of the thing). I do think that restraint has to be a part of it, and addressing your desire to shop in other ways, including avoidin temptation when necessary. Anonymous on "Budget Woes and Q's" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budget-woes-and-qs#post-1404909 Wed, 03 Dec 2014 20:03:30 +0000 Anonymous 1404909@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ First of all, don't use a Visa prepaid gift card for clothes. Returns take FOREVER to get processed-- unless they have changed things in the last year or so. Second, may I join your 98% cotton pants team? I used to be a hard core budgeter, with a will of iron. I'm much looser now, but budgeting is really a matter of self discipline, more than a matter of numbers or systems of keeping track. Every year I consider setting a limit and asking YLF to help keep me accountable, but then decide against it because I really loathe coming face to face with the fact that I want to fudge the numbers and buy what I want! Susie on "Budget Woes and Q's" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budget-woes-and-qs#post-1404908 Wed, 03 Dec 2014 20:00:32 +0000 Susie 1404908@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ For this year, I allocated a % of my earnings to spend on my wardrobe. I keep a list of purchases in Evernote, broken down into 3 categories of clothing, shoes and bags, and accessories. I also keep an Excel spreadsheet with those same categories and enter my monthly totals of dollars spent and number of pieces. Although I did an even distribution across all 12 months, there were months that I spent more than others.  At this point, it looks like I could end the year a bit over my budget but since my dad always gives me a check for Christmas, I will apply that to even it out.  I've already been thinking about next year and intend to spend much less than I did this year. I also plan to really reduce the number of items I buy. I am in great shape for fall and winter so my plan is to avoid the after Christmas sales! And I don't think that I will need much for summer either. Instead of a $ budget, I think I will try setting an item limit. I'm not sure what that number will be yet but, again, but it will be much lower than my total purchases this year.  Alassë on "Budget Woes and Q's" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budget-woes-and-qs#post-1404902 Wed, 03 Dec 2014 19:42:34 +0000 Alassë 1404902@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Very interesting thread. I keep a running total of how much I've spent, but I'd really like to try Gaylene's challenge to reorient my thinking about spending. Gaylene on "Budget Woes and Q's" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budget-woes-and-qs#post-1404899 Wed, 03 Dec 2014 19:40:41 +0000 Gaylene 1404899@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Good point, Firecracker. I think it's some times easy to forget that budgeting isn't just about crunching numbers in a spreadsheet. It's just as important to think about when, where, and how you are spending your dollars, as well as WHAT you are buying--and your ultimate happiness with your answers to these questions. Numbers provide us with the means to track, project, and analyze, but ultimately it's our buying habits and strategies that really matter. Firecracker (Sharan) on "Budget Woes and Q's" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budget-woes-and-qs#post-1404879 Wed, 03 Dec 2014 19:03:11 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1404879@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm not a budgeter. When I have tried to create a budget for myself, I have not taken it seriously. This is a good way to ask the question: what strategies people use, rather than how much to budget. I'm finding the answers really interesting, and perhaps even manageable for me, so I'm bookmarking. Thanks for posing the question, avettestingray.