https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgets-unbelievable-but-true Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 03 May 2026 09:55:21 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgets-unbelievable-but-true#post-271921 Thu, 30 Dec 2010 00:07:11 +0000 Theresa 271921@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The way I worked it out was to get my income, deduct all my fixed and essential expenses, then look at what was left and divide it up between my hair/clothing/beauty expenses and my day to day discretionary funds. (I like having a separate category for hair/clothing/beauty)</p> <p>It means I'm not left with much, but I've been withdrawing that amount in cash, and keeping it in a little envelope so I can physically see how much I have and I feel more motivated to save it and not just fritter it away.</p> <p>LJ I like your internet shopping tip - that's been the one area I've struggled with - I tend to go and deposit the cash back if I've bought online, but sometimes I forget But subtracting it from the following amount seems much easier - I have all my fortnights planned for 6 mths in advance so its easy to adjust my spreadsheet... THANKS!<br /> It comes to just under 3% for my entire family for all hair, clothing &amp; beauty spending... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgets-unbelievable-but-true#post-271831 Wed, 29 Dec 2010 21:40:10 +0000 Kristine 271831@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I just set an amount and then later verified it was within the reasonable range, I think it's 4% of my net income or 2% of our household income. I could afford more but I have to balance clothing with other contributions, like retirement and emergency fund savings. I'm a saver, so it was actually hard for me to allow myself that much, at least at first.<br /> If I don't spend the full amount, or overspend a little, it just comes out of, or increases, our savings cushion.</p> <p>Like Sylvie, if I truly need something, like winter boots or a coat I give myself a little leeway. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgets-unbelievable-but-true#post-271825 Wed, 29 Dec 2010 21:14:52 +0000 Sylvie 271825@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't have a budget per se but I do use Mint to track my expenses just so I can see where the money is going. Each month, I just want to see that total spending is below a certain number.</p> <p>I try to spread out big ticket clothing purchases which helps keep the spending in check. Any clothing purchase that's a need (ex: hiking boots) doesn't count. But if I desperately want three pairs of shoes, I only let myself buy one pair each month.</p> <p>If you want to put clothing as a line item into a budget, then I'd just use a dollar amount, based off past spending and your other expenses. You can roll over any extra each month and raise/lower the budget if your needs/financial situation changes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgets-unbelievable-but-true#post-271820 Wed, 29 Dec 2010 21:02:35 +0000 qfbrenda 271820@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ours is within the 2-7% of income range... closest to 5%. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgets-unbelievable-but-true#post-271811 Wed, 29 Dec 2010 20:25:43 +0000 Maya 271811@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have the same numbers as Khris (or, I will be starting January 1). Since I'm single and have no kids or anything like that, and I love clothes, I allow myself the full 7%. Someone who doesn't care much about fashion or who has other expenses might be closer to 2%. To my delight, it worked out to be a fairly generous monthly budget. I was not expecting that, given how high my rent and other expenses will be, but if the math works out, it works out. Who am I to complain :)</p> <p>(I did work out all my other expenses just to be sure, though) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgets-unbelievable-but-true#post-271805 Wed, 29 Dec 2010 20:04:58 +0000 Debbie 271805@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>LeahJanes-The online shopping tip is great. Your dicretionary money idea is good too.<br /> Chewy I will check out that program. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgets-unbelievable-but-true#post-271804 Wed, 29 Dec 2010 20:02:52 +0000 LeahJanes 271804@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I just have a set amount for personal pocket money every fortnight. This includes clothes, eating out, entertainment. I pull it out in cash and once it's gone, I don't have any more. If I have some left, it just stays in my wallet. Entering a line item specifically for clothes doesn't work for me - I don't care where my discretionary money goes, only that I don't spend more of it than I ought to.</p> <p>Online shopping often throws a spanner in the works, but I've been a bit better keeping track of that lately, I subtract my online spending from next months allowance. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgets-unbelievable-but-true#post-271801 Wed, 29 Dec 2010 20:01:03 +0000 chewyspaghetti 271801@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm just working on this, too Debbie. I've been using Mint.com to help with our budgeting and tracking- it's a very cool free program if you want to check it out. 2-7% is what I see recommended online for a clothing budget- that's of your net income. My husband is salaried, so I chose a $ amount per month that is within that percentage, and that is for our whole family. If the money isn't spent, then I will roll it over so that I can buy a higher ticket item. Like you, I always just used extra money leftover for clothing, but this way allows us to always have some available for clothing emergencies (unexpected events, growth spurts for the kids, etc) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/budgets-unbelievable-but-true#post-271797 Wed, 29 Dec 2010 19:54:45 +0000 Debbie 271797@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have never set a clothing budget as a line item in our budget. I am working on our budget for the the next 3 months and would like to include clothing as a line item but don't know where to start.<br /> When you budget for clothing do you base the figure on a precentage of your income or do you just set an amount? If you don't spend it all one month do you roll it into the next month or put it in savings? If you go over do take it off the next month?<br /> The way I've always done it is if I had the extra I bought the item if not I didn't. I know I've spent a ton this year and would like a little more control over that.<br /> No shopping at all for months is not an option because I did that for years when my girls were growing up.<br /> I know these sound like dumb questions but to enter it as a line item I'm at a loss. </p>