2014 vs 2013 Shopping & Spending

I finally got up the nerve to look at the numbers (both quantity & $$$) of what I spent in 2014 and 2013. It is funny how my perceptions don't match the actual numbers. On the other hand, I didn't count underwear (bras, camisoles, panties, hosiery), so maybe if I had, my perceptions would have matched the numbers. I spent about $550 more in 2014 than 2013, but what I bought wasn't drastically different:

2014 2013
Footwear 7 pr 8 pr
Outerwear 1 1
Toppers 6 7
Pants/jeans 4 4
Skirts 3 5
Pullovers 4 5
Cardigans -- 1
Blouses/tops 7 3
T-shirts 8 9
Gloves -- 2 pr
Belts 4 --
Bags 2 --
Dresses 1 --

What a YIKES!!! moment. My purchasing mistakes in both years have been in footwear (uncomfortable!) and in T-shirts, but looking at the numbers it may be due to the sheer number of purchases in each category. Famous last words, but I definitely plan to slow down my shopping in 2015 after my sobering review of the past two years. I like the idea of wearing out my clothes, and it won't happen if I have too many.

No more:
Outerwear (temps too mild here)
Jeans/pants unless 1 in/1 out
Skirts for work (but need a casual skirt or two)
Cardigans
Belts, esp. cheapies
Thrifting since my success:purge ratio is not high enough

11 years ago

MsMaven

Veteran

You are brave, Donna. It's quite an eye opener, isn't it? I keep track of everything I buy, but I don't analyze it. I think my list would look quite similar to yours. I did write down everything I bought last year that is still unworn.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

I enjoy reading these sorts of posts so thanks for sharing. I don't think your numbers sound outlandish at all, but then mine would be higher still. But it's always worth thinking about whether we're wearing the things we buy and how much is 'enough' for each of us. One of the reasons I wanted to start tracking wears for 2015 was to try to narrow down how long things actually do last, and so by implication how often I should need to replace them.

I too have really cut down on thrifting for similar reasons; I had all the basics I really needed so a lot of my thrifting scores were things I might have not bought at full price. Some of them became workhorses but some only got worn a time or two before I decided they weren't worth keeping in my wardrobe.

DonnaF

I have also learned not to buy anything for myself when DH and/or DD is with me as they are both enablers. I need to keep this in mind when I take DD to Nordstrom Rack later this week. When I took her shopping at an outlet mall before Christmas, I just came back with $5 gray tights which may be one pair too many.

Suz

It's kind of shocking how our perceptions can vary from reality, isn't it? But it may be that you're not as far off as you supposed. At least your shopping was more mindful this year. Uncomfortable footwear is REALLY hard to judge in advance, as is the quality of a tee. Your overall numbers are actually about half (gulp!!) that mine were this past year (different categories/ items) -- but then I have multiple seasons and was consciously wardrobe building, not in maintenance. Still....

I have pretty much entirely given up thrifting for the same reasons. I do not do well with it as a rule.

Anonymous

It does look like footwear and tees were probably your main down-fall for mistakes Donna, but I really don't think your numbers are excessive. Footwear which is always pricey can be such a minefield and difficult to get right. I see that you say you won't be buying any outerwear this year, and as you only bought 1 per year previously, I think you've been well disciplined in that respect. Good decision re- belts too as I always regret a cheap one.. they never last! Funny about the shopping with DD or DH. I think I feel the same!

Pretty insightful, isn't it? I think every new decision starts with an understanding of previous habits. You did a great job of assessing previous buying trends/habits. You should do very well in 2015.

Oh, and as Diane pointed out, footwear is hard. I can't count the number of times I wore shoes in the store and they felt great only to find out later that they were a fail.

Category