YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Budgeting for the larger expenses- coats, shoes

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Budgeting for the larger expenses- coats, shoes https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgeting-for-the-larger-expenses-coats-shoes Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 04 May 2026 13:36:10 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php MsMary on "Budgeting for the larger expenses- coats, shoes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgeting-for-the-larger-expenses-coats-shoes#post-223971 Thu, 30 Sep 2010 06:07:44 +0000 MsMary 223971@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Anne, you took the words right out of my mouth! I think of clothing as an annual expense, too, and deposit a set amount in my "clothing" account at <a href="http://www.ingdirect.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.ingdirect.com</a> every month. I generally only shop a few times a year, so there's usually enough money for major purchases. I also have a "discretionary spending" account that has seen a lot of use for clothes lately! anne on "Budgeting for the larger expenses- coats, shoes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgeting-for-the-larger-expenses-coats-shoes#post-223890 Thu, 30 Sep 2010 02:39:34 +0000 anne 223890@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think of clothing spending as an annual expense. I think through what I need for the whole year and spend more at some times (biggest spending would occur at the beginning of winter). I have set myself a fairly tight budget for 10/11 and since I want to buy a new coat, jacket and shoes next (australian) winter I am saving a fair whack of that budget for that. Isabel on "Budgeting for the larger expenses- coats, shoes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgeting-for-the-larger-expenses-coats-shoes#post-222636 Mon, 27 Sep 2010 20:52:47 +0000 Isabel 222636@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I tend to do buying twice a year, so I save up for it. I am also really patient about finding something. So I figure out what I can spend on clothes then I allocate about 70% of that toward bigger purchases and 30% for immediate, more trendy, fun stuff during the year. I put it in a savings account ( it doesn't earn interest, but it keeps my grubby hands off of it ). Sometimes, I just put it in an envelope in a safe place. If I under spend during the month, I put the extra in the long term - or if I find something I really useful now, I take what I need out of long term. I also "negotiate" my other categories.... I will cut back on entertainment or books or something to get the additional cash if I need it. But since I handle the finances in our household, my husband has to skip lunch a few times ; ) Fianally, if you guys get paid every two weeks, then two months out of the year you will get three checks instead of two. I often take 1/2 of one of those "extra" checks and put it toward clothing. FiestyWife on "Budgeting for the larger expenses- coats, shoes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgeting-for-the-larger-expenses-coats-shoes#post-222530 Mon, 27 Sep 2010 18:45:15 +0000 FiestyWife 222530@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I currently have a very small monthly budget but for big ticket items (a good winter coat) DH & I discuss it and decide how much we're willing to contribute. If the coat I want is outside the extra money then I make up the difference out of my own pocket/monthly budget. Does that make much sense? I hope so! Beth on "Budgeting for the larger expenses- coats, shoes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgeting-for-the-larger-expenses-coats-shoes#post-222518 Mon, 27 Sep 2010 18:34:27 +0000 Beth 222518@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Like crwilson, shoes seem to often be purchased even when they're not in the budget. Whoops! As for things like winter coats, Christmas can be a good coat-gifting season. A few gift cards can really add up quickly:) crwilson on "Budgeting for the larger expenses- coats, shoes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgeting-for-the-larger-expenses-coats-shoes#post-222319 Mon, 27 Sep 2010 13:32:38 +0000 crwilson 222319@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I don't budget well for these things, which explains why I never have a coat that I like. Shoes, well...they always seem to be in my budget even when they're really not. RoseandJoan on "Budgeting for the larger expenses- coats, shoes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgeting-for-the-larger-expenses-coats-shoes#post-222293 Mon, 27 Sep 2010 11:47:45 +0000 RoseandJoan 222293@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have a cup which I throw pound coins and my left over monthly budget into to try and soften the blow of these items. I will use credit for a winter coat but it's a very infrequent. Theresa on "Budgeting for the larger expenses- coats, shoes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgeting-for-the-larger-expenses-coats-shoes#post-222281 Mon, 27 Sep 2010 10:32:22 +0000 Theresa 222281@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is something I struggle with - I like to spend my shopping budget (well until SYC!), but its not enough for anything like shoes etc, so I've often bought cheap shoes and as a result, I have only a couple of pairs of super comfy shoes - although having said that, my feet aren't that fussy, I can just tell the shoes are the best. I've been thinking more and more about a seasonal budget lately though - saving my shopping budget in my savings account, and then once every few months/season change, go shopping... Actually, if I did that, I could probably save up, fly to Brisbane, shop at the DFO (outlet centre), and fly home again, and have heaps more variety and clothes for less than what I would spend if I just shopped locally... hmm something to ponder! Thanks for asking this Q Kristine - you have my mind thinking!!! Kristine on "Budgeting for the larger expenses- coats, shoes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgeting-for-the-larger-expenses-coats-shoes#post-221927 Sun, 26 Sep 2010 17:28:52 +0000 Kristine 221927@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks for all of the input! I think what I may do is stick to my monthly budget but then allow a lump sum for fall and spring (maybe $100-200 extra for each season or something like that). Or maybe I should just use all of my budget for two major shopping trips a year. That would help me plan better too. One of my issues is that I never used to shop at all and everything I bought was cheap, so unfortunately I don't have anything worth selling. So in some sense this is a good development for me (I sure dress better than before!), but now I'm going a little too far in the other direction. Hhm, shopping IS kind of fun after all. catgirl on "Budgeting for the larger expenses- coats, shoes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgeting-for-the-larger-expenses-coats-shoes#post-221874 Sun, 26 Sep 2010 16:21:06 +0000 catgirl 221874@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I've created a relationship with my local consignment stores, two of which are very picky about what they take in. I use that money and also ask the owners to hold any big-ticket items or give me a call if something I'm looking for comes in. I've gotten two winter coats that way. It is tough, but I agree it is a seasonal expense, and if you really need something, you may have to just bite the bullet... Sometimes I also feel that paying more is worth it to save the time I waste looking for the bargain, waiting, and obsessing. I enjoy hunting for stuff I want, but not items I genuinely need. Scarlet on "Budgeting for the larger expenses- coats, shoes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgeting-for-the-larger-expenses-coats-shoes#post-221870 Sun, 26 Sep 2010 16:16:48 +0000 Scarlet 221870@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think in terms of a monthly budget and if I have to buy larger ticket items then I go on a shopping ban afterwards. I don't differentiate between clothing, coats, and shoes. Alternatively if I haven't been shopping in the last couple months then I give myself credit to spend more. In general I plan to spend more in the beginning of fall and spring because I enjoy when everything is new and all the sizes and colors are available and then cut back in the following months. Maya on "Budgeting for the larger expenses- coats, shoes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgeting-for-the-larger-expenses-coats-shoes#post-221862 Sun, 26 Sep 2010 16:04:03 +0000 Maya 221862@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I will cut back on other things, sell unwanted clothes and accessories on ebay or consignment...do whatever it takes to make up the cost. If there is anything I bought that I have tags on and don't need, it goes back. This season I really want to fill out my shoe wardrobe and come to some kind of finality, where I don't have to worry about buying shoes for a long time. I am almost there. It has NOT been easy at all and I have to admit, if I wasn't constantly selling things and pinching pennies elsewhere, there is no way I would have been able to get anywhere on my budget. Even so I am shot for September and will have to wait until next month to try the Steve Madden booties. rute on "Budgeting for the larger expenses- coats, shoes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgeting-for-the-larger-expenses-coats-shoes#post-221846 Sun, 26 Sep 2010 15:30:41 +0000 rute 221846@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I admit this is a problem for me.. I'm looking for a good winter coat for 3 years.. first it is difficult to find one that it's not double breasted.. but finally this year I'm starting to see more options and then, I really want to invest in a nice coat and the price is always a problem. When I have to buy an expensier piece I buy but spent the rest of the moth on a shopping diet chewyspaghetti on "Budgeting for the larger expenses- coats, shoes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgeting-for-the-larger-expenses-coats-shoes#post-221832 Sun, 26 Sep 2010 14:49:08 +0000 chewyspaghetti 221832@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I don't have a specific budget, but I think that you need a seasonal budget in addition to your monthly budget. Things like shoes, coats, special event wear and swimwear are significantly more expensive than every day clothing and should be budgeted for accordingly. Sihaya on "Budgeting for the larger expenses- coats, shoes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgeting-for-the-larger-expenses-coats-shoes#post-221819 Sun, 26 Sep 2010 13:27:48 +0000 Sihaya 221819@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I don't have a budget but just a sense of how much I have to work with overall. I usually have a running list in my head of what I need, the gaps in my wardrobe and just keep my eyes open for those items. This year (since Laura's SYC challenge), I have been trying to stay clear of the mall unless I do need to explicitly fill a gap in my wardrobe. So yes, I have been avoiding the smaller purchases in favor of strategic ones. Kristine on "Budgeting for the larger expenses- coats, shoes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgeting-for-the-larger-expenses-coats-shoes#post-221814 Sun, 26 Sep 2010 12:56:10 +0000 Kristine 221814@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ For those of you on a fixed monthly clothing budget I'd be curious to hear how you handle the larger items like shoes or coats. My monthly budget is plenty for clothing but it's difficult to manage larger items. A few weeks ago I ordered three pairs of shoes! My shoe wardrobe was very sad when I came to YLF so I needed it but my monthly budget would have never covered it. I also needed a winter coat, so I went way beyond my budget. We had the money so it wasn't a question of using credit, just spending more than I allotted myself. I don't feel guilty about it, but I'd like to learn how to plan for it better. Do you allow a larger chunk for fall shopping or do you have another tactic? Do you forgo clothing on the months when you buy shoes or a coat? I think this'll get easier now that I'm getting close to a wardrobe that works for me, but this first year it's been hard to plan. I probably should have allowed myself a little more each month to build.