Without the insurance factored in, I came in at $1136.74
So I technically went over my $1000 budget by $136.74.
This was a more controlled month, but I am really upset with myself for something that happened.
At the start of the month, I got suckered in by retail therapy by being STUPID, and buying a pair of low heels on impulse.
It’s just that I was looking for a pair like that for a while, and when I found them, I lost all reason.
….and I forgot to ask about their return & refund policy.
I got home, experienced buyer’s remorse,and ended up keeping them in the end because they only did exchanges or store credit.
I really felt stupid.
Like, really, really stupid.
This is the first time in a while that I’ve bought something that I really regretted doing so.
(I hate doing returns).
But instead of dwelling on the past, I am putting a ban on myself.
No more wardrobe purchases until end of December 2010.
It’s only been 3 weeks since I’ve put this ban on myself, but I am getting more creative with doing things in my wardrobe of what I already have.
Like layering, changing up the jewelery, etc.
I actually have.. it all. (Wardrobe wise)
I have everything I need in my wardrobe and there should be NO REASON whatsoever to buy ANYTHING else.
So.. no more clothing or jewelery.
This is going to be nasty hard, especially with my lust for Etsy items, but.. it’s gotta be done.
And I want to see if I can do it. What a great challenge it will be.
- What would you do with your old credit cards?
- I am going through my year end numbers…
- There is such a thing as being too frugal
- Shopping strategies to save money, time and space in your wardrobe!
- 5 Lies we tell ourselves to Help us Continue Spending
frugalscholar
on Dec 5th, 2009
@ 1:01 PM:
Please wear those shoes. Often when I make a mistake like that, I don't wear the item, compounding the buyer's remorse.
The Asian Pear
on Dec 5th, 2009
@ 2:33 PM:
Did you spend $11.24 on JUST Mars Bars? Cause… that's alot of Mars Bars.
me in millions
on Dec 5th, 2009
@ 3:58 PM:
The no shopping this is sooo hard at first! But it gets easier for sure. And now when I do go shopping, I'm so much more particular. No impulse purchases for me!
Alexandra
on Dec 5th, 2009
@ 4:10 PM:
$140 on groceries for A WHOLE MONTH?
Is that for 2 people? 'cause if it is, I need to know how you do it! We pay 3 times as much…
L.A. Daze
on Dec 5th, 2009
@ 5:46 PM:
December 2010?? That's a long ways away! I was expecting to read until the end of December 2009…good luck!
E_Z
on Dec 5th, 2009
@ 6:25 PM:
Go easy on yourself FB, eh? Being that harsh on yourself will just cause more damage to yourself than actually buying the product itself. It may not have fallen under that ideal world you're trying to create for yourself, but retail therapy once in a while doesn't hurt – as long as you can afford it, which you can.
Be nicer to yourself. 
Rachel @ It's a Hero
on Dec 5th, 2009
@ 6:28 PM:
I really love your blog. I've been following for a while, and it's inspiring to me (someone who is trying to overcome debt).
dogatemyfinances
on Dec 5th, 2009
@ 6:51 PM:
Holy moley. A whole year?!?!
Impossible. Well, no way I could do it for sure. Why not just set a budget?
Arianne
on Dec 5th, 2009
@ 6:51 PM:
Wow best of luck with your wardrobe ban. How are you liking the purple eyeliner?
munchkin
on Dec 5th, 2009
@ 7:43 PM:
No wardrobe purchaeses until the end of next year???! Are you crazy? I could never do it. lol
Investing Newbie
on Dec 6th, 2009
@ 12:46 AM:
Don't ban yourself! Well, ok, you can keep the ban, but enjoy those shoes. I love the LOW HEEL. It's not painful, but still chic.
liz
on Dec 6th, 2009
@ 1:39 AM:
you seriously aren't buying anything for a year? or did you mean december 09? :O
Kino
on Dec 6th, 2009
@ 3:40 AM:
Where does the gas for your car fall under?
eemusings
on Dec 6th, 2009
@ 3:52 AM:
A whole YEAR!
Wow,,,I'm speechless.
still, if your wardrobe really is complete, I'm sure you'll manage to do it! Good luck
Sammi
on Dec 6th, 2009
@ 4:47 AM:
FB… I have to say. You are my money management Hero. No wardrobe additions until End of dec 2010? I haven’t bought any clothes in general lately and swore off shoes until Jan 2010 but an extra year… Wow. Good luck to you in your goal!
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com
on Dec 6th, 2009
@ 6:57 AM:
I didn’t drive at all or use my car this month. So my gas category is not in there.
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com
on Dec 6th, 2009
@ 6:57 AM:
Like a whole year until Dec 2010.
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com
on Dec 6th, 2009
@ 6:58 AM:
Yeah, except the right heel is not steady (is off by a small millimeter or so and makes the shoe wobbly), so it was a waste of $35 to buy a pair of shoes that I am not steady to walk in.
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com
on Dec 6th, 2009
@ 6:58 AM:
I am not seeing a huge difference versus wearing brown eyeliner… but it’s a nice change without being too dramatic.
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com
on Dec 6th, 2009
@ 6:59 AM:
Because I don’t do well with budgets.
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com
on Dec 6th, 2009
@ 6:59 AM:
I have too much in my wardrobe as is.. it’s a nice challenge
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com
on Dec 6th, 2009
@ 6:59 AM:
That grocery amount is for one person
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com
on Dec 6th, 2009
@ 7:00 AM:
HELL YES I DID
They were on some sort of promotion and I went whacko.
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com
on Dec 6th, 2009
@ 7:00 AM:
Oh I do wear the shoes.. it’s just the right heel is wobbly which means I should not have bought it to begin with without really vetting it
Vee
on Dec 6th, 2009
@ 4:11 PM:
I have a huge problem limiting my wardrobe purchases even though, like you, I have everything I need (despite what I tend to think after reading a fashion magazine – lol). Please keep us updated on how you deal with your shopping ban…
How in the world do you keep your grocery bill so low? We average $100 a WEEK. Of course, that includes dog food and toiletries and our allergy medicine, but still…. Holy crap.
Don@Moneyreasons.com
on Dec 6th, 2009
@ 8:35 PM:
WOW, very impressive!!!
And to think, I consider myself to be very frugal…
Just my monthly mortgage payment alone ($1560), is more that your monthly expenditures!
Going at this rate, you'll have to create a new website call "Fabulously Rich in the City"…
Jazz
on Dec 7th, 2009
@ 2:46 AM:
no new clothes until next december – you are a good one . I wish you all of the luck on that one
Financial Samurai
on Dec 6th, 2009
@ 11:27 PM:
Ok, let's get a confession. How many pairs of jeans do you have FB? 3? 6? 10+?! If more than 7, I have some retail therapy for u!
I'm impressed you have a strict budget! I kinda just say, "Here's $1,500/month, go spend whatever I want within it, but don't worry about how you split it up."
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com
on Dec 7th, 2009
@ 8:20 AM:
I only have 2 pairs of jeans. One is dying, the other is brand new, and it’s future replacement (though I am wearing it now)
I want to cut my budget down from $1500 to $1000. That’s the goal.. hence the strict budgeting. I don’t have a contract right now and without income, I need to work on expenses.
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com
on Dec 7th, 2009
@ 8:22 AM:
*LAUGH*
I don’t consider myself “Rich”.. but I do watch my expenses (as does BF for the household), because we need to stay focused/on track, as we are freelancers without steady incomes.
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com
on Dec 7th, 2009
@ 8:23 AM:
Well we don’t have dog food, or toiletries or allergy meds in that category.
Grocery Bill = Only groceries.
If either of us needs toiletries, we buy it on our own dime… he’d never use my lip balm for example
And we keep it low because we cook at home, and tend to eat pretty simple things during the week.
Mostly BF — he takes oatmeal + sugar in the morning, then pasta + tomatoes + veggies & sauce during the week.
I’m the one that jacks up the bill with my deli meats, chicken, veggies.. but I also bake a lot of stuff like cakes and pita bread.
Plus, I eat ramen. For $1/meal, that sure ain’t bad!
Duddes02
on Dec 7th, 2009
@ 2:02 PM:
Hooray for purple eyeliner!!
I now mix purple and navy. It’s perfect.
Duddes02´s last blog ..Student Loans and such
@lauraannc
on Dec 9th, 2009
@ 2:17 AM:
Hey!
Just found your blog – and I love it! Congrats on being so open and good luck on the lack of clothing purchases for another YEAR! hahaha.
Looking forward to reading more of your posts,
Best,
Laura