Growing Up - Spinoff from Mo & Lyn*

Jumping on the budgetary planning bandwagon here. A good eye-opener and pace-setting tool, especially since I have done so much purging in 2013 that I won't be able to raise anywhere near as much of my 2014 fashion money through reselling. This is a huge change seeing as how I was still doing fairly frequent swap meet shopping only a year ago. It's scary to think that I don't plan to buy something new every week or so... but even saying that last sentence out loud sounds so weird and greedy. It's a change that needs to happen.

By taking a look at my Pinterest board for Spring (#1), I realized that I am in mostly good shape for the upcoming season - at least in my world. My goal is to represent the department where I will be selling, and I already have a good selection of carryover pieces that will help me do that - my blue moto, ankle booties, linen tees, various white and light gray tops... it's nice to be limited to representing a few brands, because that takes away the pressure to be a generic Retail Fashion Woman who knows and sports every trend on sale at any given time.

#2 is the list of refreshers that I came up with while trying to decide the minimum amount of pieces that would help me feel current in Spring. Already adding up to near $600! Kind of stings when you look at it all together like that, but I may put off the sandals until closer to summer. And of course the $200 mark is just what I'm willing to part with for The Perfect Ones; I may always find them for less.

I've already got the rest of the unhighlighted items squared away. The photo print bag in #3 was a slight impulse order I just put in, but it fit in so well with my ideas for sneaking in some pastels - as well as a long-term goal of finding an edgy, grown-up cat bag - that it felt like a good bet.

If I can wait until about May to get the sandals (fine with me, since my feet run cold anyhow), I should be on track to spend about $500 per quarter/$2000 for the year. Of course, I can't foresee how my tastes or needs will change so I have not made a list or game plan for F/W 2014. From what I've seen of the pre-Fall lines, I'm hoping it won't break the bank.

Knowing me, I bet a lot of you think I'll fall off of this plan pretty quickly - If I'm honest, I sort of do, too! I really hope that whatever trends emerge later in S/S don't diverge too much from my current baseline and tempt me too sorely.

What do you think? Do you think I can follow a plan like this, where I can't just reach into the magic closet and liquidate assets for new purchases?

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12 years ago

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Veteran

I think the bigger issue is how much you can allow yourself to spend, knowing the resale influx of cash won't be there. Knowing what you want to get and planning ahead is awesome, too, but not everyone works that way, and I totally get that. I also put in an amount I'm prepared to spend, but often come in under. This is great, in that it allows me the flexibility to either splurge a little more on another item, or expand the number of things and maybe pick up a superfluous bracelet or clutch, say. Good luck!!
(and hey, I didn't do this 'grown up' stuff until after I turned 40, so you've both got a heck of a head start on me!)

Jewell

First off, save some space for me on that bandwagon, because I'll be hopping on soon.

Your post reminds me of the "Shop like a Fashion Editor" features in InStyle magazine, where each editor has a different budget for seasonal purchases and they share their inspiration and the pieces they buy to update their wardrobes. I love the way you've laid it all out in this post. I was initially suprised by the $500 total until I saw that the bulk of it is going toward shoes and a handbag- which imo is a great way to spend the dough. I think this new plan (sans reselling) will present its share of challenges, but I'll be cheering my support from the sidelines.

Caro in Oz

I think it is great that you have thought about your needs/wants & produced your budget & I don't think you need to be 100% perfect for a budget to be useful.

Budgeting is a process imo - a way we find out about our habits & foibles & what we need to do to best manage our money My budget never made sense until I kept a slice of it for serendipitous purchases because that works for me.

Suz

I'm amazed at your level of clarity! I don't think I am there yet. This sounds like a good plan, especially since there is some room for flexibility. It seems as if you have a clearer sense of your needs going into this department, and that maybe the placement will help you refine your personal style goals further, which is a terrific thing.

deb

I am definitely not there yet, Suz. I am still working on 'my' style. Rae, I think this is totally doable especially with how you have culled and replaces your wardrobe. Maybe you can but a new lipstick every week instead of clothes.

shedev

It actually doesn't seem like a huge budget. I'm sure you will get some of this below the estimates.

JulieJohn

I like this. It is helpful to me to see what you have planned. I don't think you will have much trouble sticking to it, actually. That's because you are a whiz at venting any pent-up feelings on some benign impulse buys that are true $1 wonders.

Gigi

I agree with what Caro says--budgeting is a process, and it may take a while to see what works for you. But it sounds like you know yourself pretty well, and what you've outlined is a good place to start.

I think for you, the biggest thing is going to be the "withdrawal" from buying something every week. This is something that is emotional and not just financial. Maybe there is a way that you could continue to shop during the week, just for the emotional benefit? Like Deb says, maybe buy yourself something small each week, or maybe hit the thrift stores more often than you had previously to make sure that you don't go over your budget.

Deborah

Budgeting is not my greatest skill, however my DH is constantly amazed at how I can s t r e t c h my budget to get the wardrobe items I need/want What you have described sounds very workable. I would just remind you to allow yourself some flexibility so that your 'plan' doesn't start to feel like you are in bondage to it. I am impressed! I don't usually think that far ahead and certainly not with the level of clarity you express.

I normally have a few things on my want/need list and just work slowly through those.

Last Winter was the first time I started to really think ahead for summer wardrobe planning - because summer is so challenging - and I was a little more specific and am pleased with the results.

Lisa

I really need to sit down and plan my shopping for next year. I have plenty of pieces and I think those big purchases will be a lot easier to handle if I know I have the money and have preplanned for such a purchase. It will also help me make sure I stay on track better. Thanks for making me get the ol' wheels turning, I have some homework to do.

lyn*

Hmm; I think things look pretty good - $2000/year is a pretty good budget I think; it's about what mine is too so I'm pretty biased!

I think you know enough about your style to be able to hone in to this - and of course, we could all fluctuate throughout the year - it's part of the adventure!

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