Budgeted Shopping

How much do you spend a year on clothing? You don't know? Well now is the time to start figuring it out! I am a recovering shop-a-holic. Yup I said it. I say recovering because I have noticed that I have a problem. You see this weekend I was unpacking and arranging my clothing, shoes, and etc. and noticed I have over 100 pairs of shoes. I thought I downsized a few months ago but for some odd reason the numbers have increased again, because I have been shopping, unconsciously. Thus, I am on the verge once again of doing yet another closet clear-out and working on making smarter purchases.

To help cut back on my spending habits, I have laid off Ebay. I am not buying every pair of Vintage Shoes or dress that I fancy, these days. I have also only bought items in the past few months that I LOVE. I am not ashamed to admit that I have a problem, because the first step to resolving an issue is admitting you have one. Another thing that made me open my eyes was my mother and her telling me about wedding expenses and how it's actually easy to save, each month. She taught me as a child to tithe 10% and save 10% every month, from your paychecks so I am getting back into that. Now, every time I want to buy something, I hear my mother in the back of my mind saying "Ghogho do you need it? And if you do, do you need it now?" that has helped me so much. You'd be amazed at what you won't buy when you say those words to yourself. Not to mention she calls my fiance every week or so telling him to tell me to cut my spending and save more. So I have two loved ones whispering money advice into my ear consistently, which definitely helps!!!

So to help me 'cut my coat according to my size' I have a budget. Last year I was reading Elle I believe, and one of the fashion editors said, she only spends £2,500.00 a season or a year on clothing. And I thought to myself this is someone with sense! If you calculate everything you have bought over the last year, I can almost guarantee you that it is more than that (if you are a shopaholic or loves clothes). So I told myself this year I am only spending a certain amount on clothing. I have a list of what I want to buy this season on my phone, looking at it before I make a purchase.

If you are trying to save, downsize or just want to cut a bad shopping habit I would definitely recommend setting a budget for yourself in regards to shopping and sticking to it. If at any point you exceed that budget, don't buy anything until you sell something in your closet to make yourself break even. As much as we all want to look good, we don't have to break the bank or spend money we don't have (credit cards) trying to look 'fly.' I don't buy clothing on Credit Cards and try as much as possible to not overspend now. I love designer shoes, clothing and accessories more than the next person (tis why I blog), but I work hard for my money and now make more planned purchases. No sales attendant can swoon me into a purchase, and I always think about my 'big and even small' purchases now. Money is money. £100 or 1p it's all money. So if your interested join me this year in learning to spend wisely.

I am also, going to start a blog post every now and again called "Guess that Price." The first person that guesses the right price of my ensemble will get a vintage item of my choice. That way you can see what I generally spend on my clothing (it is also indirectly helping me as well) and how you can look fabulous without always breaking the bank. Granted I do spend a great deal on my shoes from time to time a pair of YSL pumps or Christian Louboutin Pumps here and there won't hurt, but if you don't need it, don't buy it! This year if I am about to surpass my budget, I will close my eyes walk away and buy something within my budget or buy nothing at all. 2013 is the year when I will buy what really want whilst spending wisely!!! I hope you plan to do the same!