Saturday, January 1, 2011

Closet Fashionista's Spending Challenge: December Recap

Happy New Year!!!  I was pretty good in December (with the exception of one big item, but I've wanted it for a long time and I need it for my vacations). I did some thinking about my budget & decided I am going to go down to $200 a month, for now.  I calculated my expenses in a spreadsheet (because I'm a geek and enjoy things like that) and I'll still have a good amount of money saved each year even with gas money, paying off my student loans and $200 a month for other stuff.  This next year will have extra expenses (London, Florida, maybe an iPhone) but then the next year I probably won't be going on any major trips so it will be fine.  I bought my iPad on December 23rd, I was going to wait until January, but whatever, I wanted it now, and I LOVE it.  I was so good at the beginning of the month...but then I exploded a bit at the end...but factoring gift money and stuff in I still stayed way under budget XD

Enough with all that rambling, here's my December spending recap.
  • December 2 - Chinese Food $7
  • December 10 - Diner with friend $5
  • December 10 - Movie Magic Magazine HP Issue $10.55
  • December 11 - 2 DKNY Cozies at TJ Maxx $40 (sold one on eBay and made $78.88 after all the fees, so this cancels out with $38.88 left over...so I took that off my spending too) 
  • December 23 - iPad (not counted in my challenge...haha...I need it for my vacas so I can still work on all my sites and such) 
  • December 25 - net-a-porter and American Eagle $0 
  • December 26th -  Disney Movie Club Order (Fantasia, Fantasia 2000, Beauty & the Beast, Pinocchio, and Free Beauty & the Beast Pin) $46.91
    [if you want to join the club leave a comment with your full name and email and I can invite you with a special offer since I'm a VIP :D]
  • December 29 - Diner with Friend $4
 Christmas Gifts Bought for Others:
  •  December 3 -  $24.96
    • The Princess Bride DVD
    • Arthur DVD (starring Dudley Moore)
    • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles DVD (the original)
    • Dirt 2 video game (brother)
  • December 5 -  $33
    • Hoodie (brother)
    • Sweater (dad)
    • Angel Bell (grandma)
    • Candy (grandpa)
    • Candy (secret santa)
TOTAL: $92.54
LEFT:  $157.46
Don't forget to join Shop It To Me for the latest markdowns, secret promotion codes & VIP sale events for your favorite brands and stores!

32 comments:

  1. agnesJanuary 1, 2011 at 9:14 AM

    Bonne et heureuse année 2011

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  2. Romance Is BoringJanuary 1, 2011 at 10:05 AM

    If only I was so well organised with my spending! One of my resolutions this year is to be better with money, so I might have to join the Spending Challenge :) x

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  3. Blondes on a budgetJanuary 1, 2011 at 10:51 AM

    UGH. This makes me feel convicted I need to budget my spending better... lol You are doing a fantastic job!!

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  4. Kaleido MindJanuary 1, 2011 at 11:12 AM

    wow, i wish i was as good with my budget like you are!! the cozies were such a good deal too!:)

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  5. Emily, Ruby Slipper JourneysJanuary 1, 2011 at 11:35 AM

    Well done, and good work on deciding to decrease your budget! It's always a challenge but you're so good at finding great stuff cheaply that I'm sure it'll be fine!

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  6. lulJanuary 1, 2011 at 12:21 PM

    Oh my gosh girl I wish I was as organized as you. I have to start keeping track of what I spend.
    Happy New Year sista!
    Kiss
    Lula

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  7. Rebecca MaureenJanuary 1, 2011 at 12:27 PM

    I am following you as inspiration even more closely now with my budgeting as I'm saving to visit my sister whose in spain on study abroad. thank you for all the inspiration this year, I finally feel in control of my expenses and I make such better financial decisions thanks to your influence so THANK YOU a million times!!

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  8. Gabriella RoseJanuary 1, 2011 at 12:32 PM

    I feel like I should join the spending challenge =D It would help me get more organized....you set a good example!

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  9. vdcoutureJanuary 1, 2011 at 12:37 PM

    i need to make one of those!!!

    vdcouture

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  10. Courtney ErinJanuary 1, 2011 at 1:47 PM

    You are so disciplined and organized with your budgeting - I'm in awe.

    xoxo ~ Courtney
    http://sartorialsidelines.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousJanuary 1, 2011 at 3:12 PM

    Oh my gosh. You budget so well!! I actually calculated my expenses for the entire Fall semester of school, and I spent well over $200 on just eating out! Ugh. And I don't want to tell you how much I spent on shopping.

    xo Sherrie

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  12. LyddieGalJanuary 1, 2011 at 4:38 PM

    Wow. You only spent $58 on christmas gifts? I wish that was what my credit card statement looked like right now. I mean, it kind of looks like that, only with an extra zero in there. Oh dear.

    I think I'd better try and not spend any money in January!

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  13. Just Another ShopaholicJanuary 1, 2011 at 5:18 PM

    I love how you budget so greatly!
    Happy New Year!

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  14. MarielleheartJanuary 1, 2011 at 5:26 PM

    woow good goal! I really want an ipad too, tell me how GREAT is it?
    xx

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  15. YajairaJanuary 1, 2011 at 5:32 PM

    I really don't know how you do it..
    I spend and spend and I don't even know in what..

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  16. vicky h.January 1, 2011 at 5:35 PM

    WOW, you are really really REALLY good at budgeting! I can't believe that was your total for December even including xmas gifts! great job!!

    xox Vicky
    Bikinis & Passports

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  17. Lee OliveiraJanuary 1, 2011 at 8:48 PM

    You are so good. I'm reassessing my spending patterns as we speak as I am now jobless. May have to go wash some dishes for a while.....haha

    LOx

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  18. AnonymousJanuary 1, 2011 at 9:16 PM

    You did great as usual :)

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  19. Nicole JeannetteJanuary 1, 2011 at 9:40 PM

    Wow! Good for you! I'm impressed! :)

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  20. TabithaJanuary 1, 2011 at 10:49 PM

    Nice job on sticking with your budget. Hopefully this teaches me a lesson.

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  21. Jamie-Lee BurnsJanuary 1, 2011 at 11:05 PM

    you have been so good with your spending! I just have a saving schedule and the rest is play money.. it's probably a little naughty but whatever lol. happy new year dear x

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  22. Rosa TangJanuary 2, 2011 at 12:31 AM

    i am so impressed! I should totally follow your footsteps for next year because i spent a ridiculous amount of money this december, plus i like the neatness and organization that comes along with making spreadsheets/charts as well :) happy new year + congrats on your budgeting!

    love,
    http://buttercupbuttons.blogspot.com/

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  23. For every Lady Goodman.January 2, 2011 at 12:35 AM

    congrats. that's amazing. i might create myself a challenge as such. my inspiration: you

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  24. Marta from With Love...January 2, 2011 at 12:51 AM

    Congratulations,I am looking forward to keeping my spending in order in the new year :)

    ♥ Marta from With Love...

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  25. SAVING BETTYJanuary 2, 2011 at 1:45 AM

    wow when i read this, i was like you sound exactly like me on my budget hahaha..it feels so good to know that i am not the only one challenging myself to save and work on a budget, because it is seriously hard work to fight temptations off (at least for me)

    happy new year!

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  26. jeminaJanuary 2, 2011 at 4:13 AM

    Happy New Year my dear, and how inspirational you are, Living On a Budget is definitely a MUST for me too :))

    Wishing you Love & Happiness dearest

    Kisses
    Jemina
    xoxo

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  27. The Fashion MoodboardJanuary 2, 2011 at 5:01 AM

    I need to live on a budget too, looks good! And happy new year dear! That all your wishes may come true!

    xoxo
    www.thefashionmoodboard.blogspot.com

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  28. thingsIloveJanuary 2, 2011 at 5:12 AM

    Good job! Happy new year!

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  29. ReneeJanuary 2, 2011 at 5:27 AM

    wow great! Well done :)
    Happy New Year!

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  30. SamanthaJanuary 2, 2011 at 5:33 AM

    I love spreadsheets! :o)

    -Samantha

    http://thisfashionista.blogspot.com

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  31. PhuongJanuary 2, 2011 at 6:22 AM

    Wow you know how to spend it! Love to read it. Happy 2011

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  32. Lee OliveiraJanuary 3, 2011 at 12:59 AM

    WOW.. you are so organized..I must give your website to my best friend that a look and get an inspirations from you. she has no clue.
    On your previous post I loved the way you put your best look for each month.
    Have a fab 2011.
    LOx

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