https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-some-accounting Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 05 May 2026 16:24:11 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-some-accounting/page/2#post-190170 Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:03:41 +0000 lynne 190170@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Kristen, that's impressive financial organization and you've made it sound very do-able. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-some-accounting/page/2#post-190155 Mon, 26 Jul 2010 12:31:11 +0000 Kristen 190155@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Crazyone, we do have a cashback-reward card for all our regular purchases (groceries, gas, gifts, dining, etc) but I got a store card (and it is a Mastercard so it's not just for the one store) to separate out the clothing from the regular stuff. I don't always have time every month to balance my budget so separating out the cards (and see below for my second part of the plan) is a fast way to automatically track totals.</p> <p>Theresa, I also have separate savings accounts for each credit card, and I transfer the amount due as the month goes along. That way when the bill is due I can just transfer it back to my checking account and pay it in full, but it's not one big shock at the end of the cycle. It is yet another to manage a budget without having to fill out an Excel sheet or look at pie charts. If my checking account is getting low mid-month because I have had to transfer more than usual over to the savings accounts, that means I need to rein it in for the rest of the month... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-some-accounting/page/2#post-190021 Mon, 26 Jul 2010 02:57:26 +0000 Theresa 190021@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You know, I am definitely not going to add up what I've spent this year LOL Primarily because a lot of it has been at thrift stores and I always just use my loose change there so never really think too much about it.</p> <p>I do know that I have spent a lot more lately than in the past say 10 years - but part of that is due to me finally putting myself as a priority - I really did need new clothes as I had very little, and any money I am spending these days is well thought out, (well, mostly!), so I'm not guilty about it at all.</p> <p>I only have a very small income, but I figure if I'm covering everything else and need clothing to wear, I refuse to feel guilty.</p> <p>Also, most of my clothing budget is purely for me - my daughters are inundated with hand-me-downs from friends so besides their school uniforms, they need very little.</p> <p>Those of you with a separate card for clothing - I really like that idea - that way when I do my fortnightly budget, I could just transfer the $$ there regardless of if I spend it or not that particular fortnight. You have me thinking!!!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-some-accounting/page/2#post-189745 Sun, 25 Jul 2010 16:27:25 +0000 Isabel 189745@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi there Crazyone......one disturbing theme in this thread is how most of us feel guilty about getting ourselves things. Men don't. Why is that ?? ( A question for another thread. ) </p> <p>Somewhere along the line, we have been passively taught that to care about our looks or how we dress is vain and selfish. ( My in-laws feel that way , though they are all artists - funny, how we don't equate creativity and beauty and self-expression with dressing). This brings me to your comment about how you should probably spend your time on "experiences", like reading a book, or traveling. Well, allow me to say that choosing clothes and putting them together and enjoying how you wear them IS an experience ! AJ, on this site, does it so beautifully. For her, it is not about the actual acquisition - which is not an experience in my book- but the process of finding, examining, mixing, putting it on her mannequin, considering the texutures, colors, prints.....oh, how wonderful an experience.</p> <p>I LOVE reading and learning ( I am not a fan of travel, but I have been fortunate to have done alot of it, including a 14 day trip to the Amazon, where I camped in the forest ) and let me tell you that I enjoy the experience of this site and the boundaries it helps to me push and think about, just as much as anything else.<br /> ( I am off now to take my meds...........just kidding )</p> <p>ENJOY IT while you have no other responsibilities and it doesn't harm your future.</p> <p>( If you ever get the chance, read Open and Clothed by J Siegel...it is a wonderful book that address all of this. Read it while wearing your tweed shorts ! ) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-some-accounting/page/2#post-189541 Sun, 25 Jul 2010 02:36:31 +0000 crazyone 189541@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>and by the way, I definitely plan in indulging in some tweed shorts, though I'm hoping I can find a pair cheaper than the Sanctuary pair (even at the sale price)... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-some-accounting/page/2#post-189532 Sun, 25 Jul 2010 02:26:40 +0000 crazyone 189532@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think this thread has had more posts than any other thread I've started here on YLF :-P</p> <p>Speaking for myself, it's not actually the financial aspect of it, because I can afford it and still have money to save, travel, etc., and I'm single, have no dependents, and no debt of any sort. It's also a bit symptomatic of some sort of Puritan mentality, that I shouldn't be so wasteful and buy so many clothes that I don't *need* (often I purchased these things because I enjoy shopping), and also that maybe the money might have been better spent on some other things, like say, books, traveling, etc., which might have given more long-lasting joy/knowledge/experience. </p> <p>Scarlet: to a certain extent your surmise is true, but to a larger extent it's just more that I've gotten more into trendy fashion and thus am more frequently seeing things that catch my eye! </p> <p>Kristen and Taylor: For me personally, I like having just one credit card that gives me cash back (literal cash into my savings account), rather than a credit card which would give me dollars that I could use at a store...but it seems like the store specific credit cards work well for you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-some-accounting/page/2#post-189511 Sun, 25 Jul 2010 02:01:34 +0000 annagybe 189511@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've been studious avoiding this thread. I've been way over budget recently.<br /> But I'm single and have no dependents.<br /> Need to check out the other thread on shopping your closet. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-some-accounting#post-189505 Sun, 25 Jul 2010 01:51:32 +0000 taylor 189505@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>They tried to talk me into a mod card, but I really love my AT style rewards:)</p> <p>Kristen, I once got an 80.00 rewards...I have never seen the likes of that one again, and probably shouldn't!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-some-accounting#post-189500 Sun, 25 Jul 2010 01:40:54 +0000 Jenava 189500@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>r.e. style rewards (at least from Nordies) I was feeling a little guilty about how much I was spending but today I realized I haven't even gotten a $20 one in the mail in a loooong time, so that made me feel a little better about recent splurge...I'll bet one will be rolling in soon, though...LOL...</p> <p>Also, I have only a "Mod" card, which is like a Nordies debit card. No CC debt for me from my Nordstrom distractions, at least! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-some-accounting#post-189482 Sun, 25 Jul 2010 01:02:29 +0000 Kristen 189482@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>agrace, I agree, it would be easier to figure out a percentage of your income to at least be able to gauge. But even then you have to consider that people who don't care about fashion will spend less, and those who do will spend more. So what percentage is the right level for you, you know? </p> <p>When I first started getting interested in fashion I worried if I was spending too much, but I didn't really know anyone else in the same set of circumstances than me, and honestly, I realized I could afford it. I do get teased a lot for my shopping and my shoe collection from my friends, but they're not into it as much as I am, and the ones that are into it like me spend way more than i do. So I figure I'm in the happy medium range.</p> <p>Taylor, those style rewards are the BEST! I once had a $60 one, LOL. They haven't been that high since, which I think is a good thing. Ha! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-some-accounting#post-189447 Sat, 24 Jul 2010 23:07:14 +0000 Isabel 189447@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>agrace - you are right about the housing percentage. Unfortunately, borrowers stopped following that route during the bubble and that is why so many people couldn't pay their mortgages !!!</p> <p>Regarding the woman at Nordie's....who knows her situation. She may be rich, she may have a shopping addiction, or she could be like Teresa on the Housewives of NJ : she and her husband earned ( at the top of their game ) about $250K/yr and just declared bankruptcy because they owe $11 million. </p> <p>We never know the other's situation ........... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-some-accounting#post-189442 Sat, 24 Jul 2010 22:41:09 +0000 agrace 189442@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Kristen - I agree with what you said, and it is also helpful to have a handle on what is normal, or even appropriate. I guess in the end it is an individual decision but I am always kind of curious in the way that for example, it is common knowledge that your housing costs should ideally not be more than 28-ish percent of your income. I think so much so that (correct me if I'm wrong somebody) they won't even approve a loan for your mortgage if the house will be much more than this. </p> <p>So in the same vein, I wonder what is considered fairly 'appropriate' or 'normal' to spend on clothing. </p> <p>I was talking to a customer service person at Nordies on the phone and she said she had a client spending $2000 a month consistently. To me that sounds unbelievable. But maybe that represents only a fraction of her income that she is free to use as she pleases. </p> <p>It's always fun and helpful to read how others perceive this and handle it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-some-accounting#post-189439 Sat, 24 Jul 2010 22:36:55 +0000 taylor 189439@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Kristen, It cracks me up!! We have the same strategy...I have the AT Master Card, and I put all my clothes on that each ,month then just pay it off..We also have the same philosiphy regarding shopping and spending. I really never feel too guilty since I spend what I can afford.<br /> Plus I love gettring the style rewards!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-some-accounting#post-189406 Sat, 24 Jul 2010 21:25:34 +0000 Kristen 189406@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Realistically, there is no way that YLF as a group will spend the same amount on clothes. We all have very different lives, needs, families, incomes, budgets, ages, store and style preferences, etc etc etc -- what I might consider a fair price for shoes might be ridiculously expensive for someone else, or someone in the north/northwest part of the country might need 5 times as many boots (and pricier wool coats) than someone in Florida or Arizona. </p> <p>I think everyone has to find their comfort level for how much they spend: does it *feel* like too much? Do you feel guilty about it? Can you afford it? I firmly believe as long as you are able to support yourself/your family, pay off your credit cards every month and are also socking away savings and retirement, then you can choose however you want to spend anything left over. </p> <p>Crazyone, getting a separate card (with a good benefits program from a store you frequent, if you can) is a really easy way to keep tabs on what you are really spending. I've had mine for a year now, and it's helped me keep on budget nicely. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-some-accounting#post-189381 Sat, 24 Jul 2010 20:30:43 +0000 Lisa 189381@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I plead the 5th to my shopping at the moment. Since this is my first fall/winter with YLF I expect there is major damage to the wallet. There certainly was so far this summer. I am hoping after a year, my wardrobe will be in shape, my purchases will be one in and one out rule and my spending will be less hectic. So for this year I am turning a blind eye. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-some-accounting#post-189374 Sat, 24 Jul 2010 20:16:41 +0000 Louise 189374@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maya snap just today I returned £100 worth of stuff! x</p> <p>Edit - oops though some new stuff jumped out and hung onto my ankle and wouldn't let me leave the store without it x </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-some-accounting#post-189355 Sat, 24 Jul 2010 19:53:07 +0000 Maya 189355@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well in my defense, I do buy a lot, but I also return a lot :p </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-some-accounting#post-189348 Sat, 24 Jul 2010 19:43:27 +0000 Isabel 189348@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maya - this is not for you ; )</p> <p>Ahh, stats, I love them. The "average" family spent almost $1900 on clothes in 2008, the results have not been tabulated for 2009, but with the economy in a shambles, it is expected this will be a much smaller expenditure last year. That is a family of 4 earning around $60 K ( before taxes )</p> <p>I don't spend every week or month. I have big times of the year : Fall ( school and me ) and Spring this year. I also tend to spend on clothesif we are going on vacation ( there is always something one of us "needs"). I also have alot of patience in waiting for something that I love to come along, and that it is affordabel - sometimes I save all year for something.</p> <p>Suze Orman, the financial guru, once did a worksheet on how to determine what you should spend on clothes. And it broke down in two ways :</p> <p>After you save 10 % into an emergency fund and max out your retirement fund - go at it with the rest </p> <p>or</p> <p>Once your emergency fund is fully funded ( 8 months worth ), as well as your retirement account, split whatever is left 50/50 and spend half and save half.</p> <p>( Of course for those of us with children, she HIGHLY recommends putting money away for college - also this doesn't include work clothes - if you NEED a suit, then it should be a priority. )</p> <p>I think that it is a good rule of thumb, personally......stop peeking Maya ! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-some-accounting#post-189343 Sat, 24 Jul 2010 19:37:26 +0000 Maya 189343@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm going to continue ignoring this thread... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-some-accounting#post-189342 Sat, 24 Jul 2010 19:36:13 +0000 Kristine 189342@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Agrace, I think that's actually really frugal for a family of four!! I never really allowed myself money for clothing and now give myself about $100 a month. So you're spending only $25 more for a family of four! You should be proud of that actually. </p> <p>A very broad rule of thumb I found online is 4% of your take home pay (range 3-10%). Obviously that's going to vary a lot depending on your individual situation.</p> <p>I'm debating whether I should save my budget and just make a few big trips a year. Of course I'd advance myself some money for fall shopping. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-some-accounting#post-189321 Sat, 24 Jul 2010 18:44:50 +0000 Angie 189321@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hah! I keep a record of what we spend per month on our wardrobes and I just updated it five minutes ago.</p> <p>Around my birthday and the NAS I do the most damage of the year. I feel sick for less than a second and then move on. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-some-accounting#post-189318 Sat, 24 Jul 2010 18:31:30 +0000 agrace 189318@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Okay, so is there a 'norm' for a budget for clothing and how often people buy? I mean, I have some friends who will go 6 months and not buy a single thing. Me, it's rarely 2 weeks go by that I haven't added some little something. </p> <p>I guess I could google this to find out. I just am curious where the median is for this type of thing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-some-accounting#post-189307 Sat, 24 Jul 2010 18:23:09 +0000 Scarlet 189307@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am not big into feeling guilty about this stuff. We all have to be sensible in living within our budget and planning for the future and the unexpected, and beyond that pffff.<br /> Anyway, Crazyone, maybe this is bad advice, but you are young with no family obligations etc. and I imagine just for the first time in life able to build up your wardrobe. (I don't know that. I don't know anything about your circumstances.) So I think it is normal to spend more when you are building up a wardrobe and missing a lot of basics. Later on purchases are more, let's say, therapeutic as opposed to necessary. But you should definitely wear all your nice clothes and not hold yourself back because you are surrounded by schlobs. Otherwise it really is a waste.</p> <p>Sorry if I have falsely projected onto you your life circumstances </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-some-accounting#post-189298 Sat, 24 Jul 2010 18:05:16 +0000 agrace 189298@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Crazyone, this is actually a very timely topic for me. </p> <p>I realized yesterday I spend about $1500, maybe a little more, a year on my family of 4 (including myself) clothign. I have no idea if that is excessive but I'm thinking it might be for us. I'm a MOTG who until recently didn't work outside the home at all, my husband requires very little formal clothing for work or anything like that and my children are forever getting clothes passed down (they are 1 and 4) or gifts from relatives, etc. So a good 75 % of that is me. </p> <p>I think that's excessive for me and yes, it made me sick to my stomach. I did a painful thing and looked at my credit card's year end summary and realized that LAST year (2009) I spent about $800 on all my beauty treatments - cut, color, waxing, so on. I've spent maybe a fraction of that this year so there is some improvement as I feel that was excessive for what I got (brassy highlights!)</p> <p>Point being, everyone is different and has different circumstances but I am very curious if where I/ my family falls is normal or excessive. Not that it matters terribly, I'm just curious. I know for me, I will be ceasing to shop for a good while as I simply do not need anything. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-some-accounting#post-189269 Sat, 24 Jul 2010 16:30:23 +0000 Jenava 189269@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Me, too...(-: </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-some-accounting#post-189257 Sat, 24 Jul 2010 16:08:29 +0000 Tanya 189257@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am with Jenny ... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-some-accounting#post-189254 Sat, 24 Jul 2010 16:07:01 +0000 JennyK (NC) 189254@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I feel a little sick at my stomach when I think about this subject, so I'm just going to very quietly move along... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-some-accounting#post-189251 Sat, 24 Jul 2010 16:03:38 +0000 Isabel 189251@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I went a little ( ok alot kooky ) this Spring since it was my first full season with YLF ( you know, the crazy infatuation of new love, ahhhh ). The good news is that I look good and feel sooooo much better about myself ( this also came on the heels of a near death experience over the winter, so YLF was great during my recovery ), even my doctor said I was looking really good !!! I didn't have the heart to tell him it wasn't his fabulous medical abilities, but rather all of you ; )</p> <p>I am going to get a couple of things for Fall and that is it !!! Or I need to find the money in the budget elsewhere. I am thinking about cutting out the allowance for my husband's lunch - yay or nay ???? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-some-accounting#post-189219 Sat, 24 Jul 2010 15:19:05 +0000 lynne 189219@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I only add up on a monthly basis, I can only handle so much information when it comes to numbers. I think this is the same reason I don't weigh myself. I'm not a digital gal, I prefer analog. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/did-some-accounting#post-189201 Sat, 24 Jul 2010 15:04:39 +0000 Louise 189201@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I daren't even add it up!!! I've spent £80 today and I only went out to take some stuff back then to Birmingham so BF could show me the way to the big station for my train to London in a couple of weeks! x </p>