2019 shopping challenge - update and insights

My shopping challenge for 2019 is to adhere to a budget of 5-6% of income. My closet was in a very good place after the big purge in October 2018. To help me stay on track going into 2019, I created a list of what would get me through the last of winter and into spring/summer.

Plaid blanket scarf
Highrise jeans (bootcut?)
Running shoes
Sandals (cognac/strappy)
2-3 sundresses
White shorts
Hat(s) for sun protection
Sweater/cardigan

January and February passed without any purchases. I never found a blanket scarf, and broke my shopping fast in March when I stumbled upon a pair of olive chinos-better than jeans. Picked up the running shoes and a pair of running tights. April I thrifted 2 sundresses, a pair of cropped beige chinos, a silky scarf, and bought 2 (new) hats. May I bought a bra and navy exercise top. Yesterday I added sandals, and a pair of olive leather sneakers.

The sandals aren't as refined as I was aiming for, but I fell in love with them anyway (wildcard?). Also, I was thinking about what I would like for the next half of the year and decided building up my olive capsule would be a good idea. Olive sneakers were the only specific item I identified. The rest of the capsule is still abstract!

So, I am still under budget (have spent 70% of 5 month allowance) and going forward this is my (revised) list:

1 sundress (?)
White shorts
Sweater/cardigan
Utility coat/topper
2x long sleeve t-shirts (striped? Olive?)
Olive turtleneck sweater (F/W)
Build up olive capsule and consider large dark florals featuring olive/green

Insight: I enjoy the thrill of the hunt, and THRIFT shopping is a real challenge when adhering to a list. You have to be prepared to walk away. However, staying on track can be fiscally rewarding, and you can sometimes find real treasure (or a HEWI!)

And, take-away from recent forum threads - it is as important to itemize what is being edited and why, as keeping track of new purchases and cost.

#1 olive leather sneakers - Josef Siebel - Caren
#2 cognac and navy sandals - Spring Step L'Artiste - Leigh

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4 years ago

Bonnie

Veteran

I love the color of the sneakers. I tried to find them in a few stores but struck out on the mint color. The sandals are super cute and will go perfectly with your bohemian summer. You are so organized in your shopping and are an inspiration for me.

rachylou

The sandals are unexpected and totally fab!

Anonymous

You found the sandals on thrift?! Lucky I check thrift for Hewis mostly, and sometimes will find unique unexpected pieces. And there are often new with tags things in there.
Btw-Etsy is a good source for blanket scarves!

Runcarla

No thrift purchases in May, suntiger. Footwear, including sandals bought full price from local independent shoe store. Thrift purchases were April, HEWI white dress, red sundress, silk scarf, Gap beige chinos.

nemosmom

Oooh I LOVE your new olive sneakers and floral sandals!! I am sure they will get lots of wear with what you've added so far. Congrats on sticking to your budget and putting great thought into a revised wish list.

RobinF

Love the new shoes, especially the sneakers! the sandals will be fun too. Good for you, having such a concise list! I rarely find anything at thrift stores but don't really go often enough and I think that is key.

celia

I love both pairs of shoes and the fact that you are sticking to your budget.

karen13

Awesome shoes and insight! I’m trying to adhere to no more than an average of 3 items a month and I’m a bit below that right now. It definitely is making me pickier. Helps with sale goggles too - no matter how good the deal! Is this worth giving up a precious spot for the as yet perfect item.

I do need to do a better job IDing a list to fill. Still too much buying things I like!whether or not they fill a hole or have a supporting act in my closet.

Suz

(website)

Great report, Carla. And good insights going forward. Olive will be fab on you and work well with red, blue, white, and blush.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

You are organized, disciplined, relaxing into the process, listening to your feelings, reaping the reward, enjoying your style journey - and looking better than ever.

Carla, can I clone you?

Cardiff girl

Good job!and well done at being so disciplined even in the thrift shops where it can be easy to get carried away.l love the thrill of the hunt too,it’s so much more satisfying in thrift shops somehow isn’t it.

Style Fan

I love your Olive sneakers. I can see the sandals working well with your new wardrobe items. I agree that chinos are better than jeans. Summers are hot and humid.

Jenn

You are having the best style year, Carla! Retirement suits you.

RainB

Active Member

All your purchases have been so fab! I love the thrill of a bargain too (both online and in store) so I think I need to implement your strategy of an annual budget goal rather than x number of pieces, which I can never stick to.

This is a great post. You may have explained this in previous posts, but I am curious about the following:

Is your five percent after tax?
Is your five percent an annual thing or do you allocate five percent for each month and what is not spent rolls over to the next month?

Having a list is brilliant ... especially if you are thrift shopping. I cannot tell you the number of prized pieces I happened upon while thrifting that I had to buy because the price was so good. It takes real discipline to walk away, but the staying on track is definitely rewarding. Congratulations.

Sterling - I have a smallish collection of clothing and I'm super frugal, so it is 5-6% of MY after tax (pension) income. I do not look at household income which includes DH's monies and our investment throw off. It is monthly, with the surplus rolled over to the next month.

Thrifting is new to me, but I apply the same criteria to shopping second hand that I do to retail. I've posted previously that if I'm feeling sorely tempted to part with my cash, but haven't had sartorial success, I buy a magazine or a book as a treat. Books bought at thrift are just as inexpensive as the clothing.

Joy

You are a wise woman. Having a list can really help when thrifting. You don’t have to look at everything. I find it helpful to look for certain colors, like olive, that are not readily available at retail and anything black. My thrift/ consignment store list right now is mostly to look for skirts and dress up play clothes for the grandchildren. Silk scarves are high on the list. Jeans are practically all low rise. Unless you want vintage or something for gardening, they are probably not worth looking at.

I have most of my thrift luck with accessories, but agree with Joy about hunting the hard to find colors!

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