Sunday, August 29, 2010

Closet Fashionista's Spending Challenge: Want to Join?

Okay, I have decided on the terms of my "Spending Freeze" that will begin on September 1st, but I have changed the name to a "Spending Challenge".  I made up a contract for myself that you can read below.  This is to help control my spending but also to make sure I can still spend, because going cold turkey is madness.  Even $150 is more than I want to spend each month, but I figured I would make it a little more JUST in case XD. I'm planning on spending less than that.
*There is a splurge exception for getting a digital video camera since I will need one IF I'm invited to interview at the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows premiere for my site. My travel/other expenses for the premiere will also not count*
In my sidebar I will keep a tally of how much I have spent and on the first of each month I will do a post stating how much I spent and what I bought.  This way I can find out if I'm buying things that I don't really need.

If you want to join me in this, make a contract for yourself, post it on your blog and the first of each month do a recap of how much you spent and what you bought.

AMENDMENT ONE:  As of November 2010 the budget is now $250 since I got hired full time and can afford to spend a little more. I will still try to stay under $150 though.

AMENDMENT TWO: As of January 2011 I have decreased the limit to $200 to account for my 2 big vacations of the year. Also, any money I make advertising or from babysitting/anything not related to my real work will be put into a fund that I can use on a splurge item(s).

AMENDMENT THREE: As of May 2011 the spending limit has decreased to $150 and my budget is only for clothes.  Based on my spending I feel that this is a much better way to control myself because my problem with shopping is clothes. I don't buy much else and when I do buy things that aren't clothes its very infrequent and something I need. So when I do need to buy other things I don't want that to hinder my clothing budget. But I did feel like I needed to lower the budget since it is only for clothes.  

Are you woman (or man) enough to join in?! ;)

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39 comments:

  1. There is so much you can get for $150!

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  2. I think you will do great with the $150....watch for sales, and itll really make you RETHINK if you want the item....thats almost #38 per weekend...if you try, you can really do it:)

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  3. this is such a good idea

    styleaccordingtome.blogspot.com

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  4. GREAT IDEA! I love it!
    I'm gonna be posting my own spending pledge soon. Thanks

    xoxo jaz

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  5. cool deal! i didn't spend that much ($150) a month though; me and my sister are still students, hahaa. good luck with your pledge! :D

    Castor Pollux

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  6. Good luck doll! I may join you next month. ;) xo- karrie

    www.hellopretty.net

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  7. You know I'm of course on this path already, but I was only thinking in terms of clothing/accessories/shoes -- as for those other 'non-essentials' I have really been counting, I've gone out to eat, to the movies, gotten lots of coffees... which all adds up, and I'm not really watching it. I also really want a new lens for my camera which would be a splurge purchase indeed, at $600...

    Chic on the Cheap

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  8. I'm really excited to follow your progress on here! I know for sure that I couldn't do this.

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  9. I'm in but my purpose is to spend any money that I don't NOW, in October when my girlfriends and I go to NY.

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  10. good luck with this (and i'm afraid to say i'm not man/woman to join in for now) :)

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  11. i've been on a fashion diet for a while and so far have been a good girl... after a while you start to realize your bank account looks really healthy and your European trip doesn't look impossible anymore... have a great weekend!

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  12. Good for you. I think that you are on the right track to financial freedom....

    Good luck.

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  13. such a quite worthy & timely challenge, which i applaud you in first undertaking yourself by example & then extending to all "to step up..." in similar manner & spirit! i definitely & eagerly accept such!

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  14. I think this sounds like a great way to hold yourself accountable. I need to seriously look at my shopping budget. I was doing so well... then I'm not sure what came over me!!! BUT I am happy to say that all recent purchases are items that will last and I will get a decent cost per wear ratio out of it.

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  15. Thanks, im so happy that it's finally over! Haha. This idea sounds very good! I think 150 dollars for me is even to much.. But im not much of a big spender either.. Good luck on the challenge, but im sure you'll do great.. You probably should now that the WHOLE world is watching you haha :p

    Love,
    Sjanna from wehavebeenexpectingyou

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  16. Sounds fab! Do u include things like take out? Cos thats my downfall!
    Jenna
    Http: //ukfashiontrends.blogspot.com

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  17. such a good idea! and you can get so many great things for only 150$ :) good luck to you!

    http://dressedupallligators.blogspot.com/

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  18. That's a great pledge. Often deciding what will last for years or not is the hardest part. All the best!

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  19. Ha ha, great pledge! I would love to join you but I donated a lot of clothes to charity before my move and need fall clothes now!

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  20. HAHHAHA!I love your statement. I wish I could join but I am not strong enough to make this promise to myself. :)

    xoxo
    B* a la Moda

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  21. Wow! I'd love to say I will try but, I know I won't be able to resist....Good Luck I'm holding thumbs!!
    Wendy
    www.wendylifeinthefashonlane.blogspot.com

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  22. This sounds like a great idea, good luck!!

    xx
    www.milkteeths.blogspot.com

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  23. I would join in if I didn't have pre-orders from Karen Walker and Lover coming out in the next couple months!

    Good luck x

    http://pagesixxx.blogspot.com

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  24. Great idea! You will get a lot for $150.:) My budget is horrible at the moment, I have only about €30 to spend on non-essential items p/m. Ughhhhh!!!!! Someone give me a job. haha SarahD:)

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  25. oouuww, great idea ! ;)

    dianaurora.blogspot.com

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  26. This is a cool idea!

    ¡Besitos fashionistas!
    http://stylefashionfamous.blogspot.com/

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  27. good luck hunniie: )
    I am back from SH come checkout my blog~
    xx
    vnikali
    www.vnikali.blogspot.com

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  28. Hah! With your bargain hunting abilities, $150 could keep you shopping most days of the week! Seriously though, I think it's a good idea. I couldn't possibly post my spending habits on my blog though; I would just end up lying. Too many years of lying to my mother... ; ) Anyway, I'm fairly well behaved, so I feel justified on the odd splurge!

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  29. I'm in! I think I'm going to try to keep it under 100 though or less. We will see :)

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  30. Such a fantastic idea! I definitely encourage you in sticking with it :)

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  31. I'm in!
    I follow you :) xx
    http://lady-gabby/blogspot.com

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  32. Oh geeze good luck! I've already got that spent for september! Well actually I was thinking about not buying everything I wanted! Great Idea I will Try!! xoox Camille @ NeverNaked.blogspot.com

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  33. I have a lot of admiration for you! I need to do this too, thats for the inspiration.
    check out my blog, www.wearandwhen.blogspot.com
    I think blogging is a good way to let out creative energy without actually spending money on clothing etc.
    Thanks

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  34. I am taking the challenge! My month starts today anyways because this is when my billing cycle ends.... I will post sunday on my blog with my expenses!

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  35. I love that you're doing this! I have a half-written post about my spending evaluation - and impending budget. I love that you wrote your spending amount in the sidebar to keep you accountable.

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  36. This is such a good idea! Since leaving college a year ago and being on my own, I've struggled with ways to save money and not buy dumb stuff, and this may be a great idea for me, too.

    -RB
    http://justaddwaterlife.blogspot.com

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  37. Good luck! And congrats on your full time position!


    Just Better Together

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  38. Just wanted to let you know you inspired me to do The Spending Challenge! Such a great idea and the posting of the spending I think will help me be held accountable!!!
    I did a post on my blog and gave you credit!

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