Mark and I have been on a budget since October. We've noticed a reasonable decrease in our debt each month, but we've also noticed a lack of money for other things, like new clothes. No, we don't think we need new clothes all the time, but a few extra pieces to help subsidize our fall/winter wardrobes would be nice.
We have varying clothing frustrations. Mark only has a few pair of "work" pants that range from being too big to too small with probably only pair that are the right size. My selection is lacking anything beyond the t-shirt and jeans variety of which I wear to work. I've even pulled out the ones from the back of the closet I'd rather not have in my rotation, just have a few more pieces to choose from.
You might see us and think we look nice and even stylish, but you are seeing the better end of our wardrobe. If you saw me at the past 2 or 3 events I've worn anything nicer than jeans to, you'd see the same pair of brown Gap pants I've been sporting this fall. They happen to be my only pair of pants that fit correctly beyond my jeans.
We do actually have a budget for clothes, but $60 a month for 2 people doesn't get you very far and I think we spent part of it on something else last month.
I'm not sure why I felt the need to write about this, but I was just reflecting on how today I'm wearing the same pair of brown Gap pants I wear when I'll be seen beyond my normal stops (work, gym, errands, home), and the same blue sweater I purchased with the Gap pants and a coat I haven't worn yet this fall that I like. It all goes nicely together unless you look closer. At which time you'll notice the jacket has black trimming, which doesn't match my navy blue sweater or brown pants! I decided this morning, when I had no other warm nicer winter coat to wear, that Beggars can't be choosers!!
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Clothes Smothes!
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9 thoughts from other people:
You guys are FAR from being beggars. I've LITERALLY not gone shopping for new clothes for 6 months.
All new things are either "hand-me-downs" from other friends closets or resale shops like Plato's Closet.
I've spent less than $60 on clothes in the last 6 months.
I know how it feels not to have clothes. Ever since I've had Rian I can't find the time to go shopping. So basically, I feel this way all the time. Now anything I wear looks terrible on me since I am growing in all areas of my body.
This is for Mark:
Hey man, I've got one pair jeans I actually like to wear and two pairs of work pants that fit correctly but one I don't like the fit on. I have a very small rotation of shirts and sweaters :) It's okay man, I'm there with you. In debt, poor, broke, but you have a wife!
Hey, Carrie..
Have you looked at the clothes at Costco? They actually are a great price. We buy most of Doug's pants there.. they have the best price on Dockers that I have seen. Just a thought.
I totally understand the budget thing. It can be tough. I would have a whole new wardrobe if I could just lose 40 pounds...heehee!
You guys are doing great!! Keep sticking to the budget... trust me it does pay off, hard as it is!
I have no income, thanks to Chronic Fatigue and Immune Disorder and am not able to hold a job. Budget is tight. I do what I have always done. Shop Goodwill!
Our family loves shopping at Goodwill stores. There are often items that still have their new tags on them! Lots of great things that have been previously owned, too. We drop by about twice a month, to browse and see what treasures we can find. Sometimes there isn't anything. Sometimes there is a cart-load! It's a blast!
I love living in reality. I am right there with you. I struggle to determine what I can and cannot buy for cloths. I have a budget for $50 a month for cloths and I try to save it each month so I can something big about every three months. It's crazy because I have soo many cloths but I for some reason always crave something new to wear and with 90% of my money going to buy cloths for work- like new suits which my last one was a mere $120 (the cheapest I could find)-I struggle with having the right thing to wear at each event I go to.
Please check out my blog to see the change so you can update your links *hugs*
I would offer to give you some of my clothes - but being as I'm like a foot smaller than you I don't think that would work. At some point we should sit down and talk about this budget thing you have been mentioning - I think I'll need to start one once I get into "the real world" and could use some pointers.
I think you should wear your black-trimmed coat with brown pants and blue sweater with pride ... the Brits (whom I think tend to have much better fashion sense than Americans) don't get hung up on the brown/black, black/navy blue thing -- wear it with pride and people will admire your style! :D
On a more serious note (tho I am serious about the brown/black thing), kudos to you guys for living on a budget -- that takes a lot of self-control, and I have a lot of growing to do in that area!
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