One Month Challenge: Learn to Budget, Week 3 ~ New Fashion Project

Sabtu, 21 Januari 2012

One Month Challenge: Learn to Budget, Week 3

Okay, okay! I admit it! I went off budget this week! I shopped! I bought an item of clothing that I did not need and probably will not use for quite some time! But it's useful! I swear! And I will use it…just probably not until next winter.

I bought a winter coat, which was on sale. Which really isn't all that big of a deal if you don't know the fact that I have a lot of coats. Leather. Wool. Down. Denim. You name it, I have it. But what do you want from me? I live in New York City, the coat capital of the world! With every season represented and plenty of excuses to buy lots and lots of coats. And so I do.

It was just a slight slip up. I was on my way to CVS when I passed one of my favorite stores with a big, huge, sale sign in the window. I had some time to kill, so I figured, why not? I'll just browse. And then I got to the coat section. There it was: a belted, black, mid length coat. On sale. And it was just my size. I tried it on, and yes, I bought it. But the damage wasn't that bad. The coat which was original $200+ was on sale for $50. And although I probably won't be wearing it this season, I will be able to wear it next winter, and the one after that, and after that, because it is, in fact, a timeless piece. And it's better I buy the coat now then next November when it's at its original price, isn't it? You see how good at rationalizing, I am?

But no, seriously, while I didn't stick to my original goal, I do not think this week was a complete failure. I bought an item that I will most definitely use time and time again. And I bought it on sale. It was a smart purchase. And at the end of the day, that's really what I want to begin doing: making smart purchases. Assessing the value of what I'm spending my money on before I spend it, and making sure that I can control and keep track of my spending habits.

So for now, I'll just chalk this week up to a learning experience.

Jenn is a communications grad student and social media fanatic who spends her free time reading, writing, watching too much tv, and shopping for shoes she can't afford. You can follow her on twitter @jenninzetta.