2. Thrifted Cardigan: $2
3. J. Crew Belt (seen here): on sale for $12
4. Thrifted Black Blazer: $4
5. Thrifted Ralph Lauren Sweater: $4
6. J.Crew Factory Popover(seen here): on sale for $32
7. Old Navy Dress: on sale + rewards for $9
8. Gap Belt (seen here): on sale for $7
9. Target Scarf (seen here): on sale for $5
10. Thrifted Gap Sweater: $4
11. Target Scarf (seen here): $10
12. Forever 21 Necklace (seen here): $9
13. Forever 21 Scarf: $9
= $125
So am I cheap, or just a smart consumer? I felt like I bought so much this month, but I ended up $25 under budget and still bought quite a bit. I think thrifting and good sales this month made quite a difference. I don't have any regrets about the purchases I made - I didn't buy any of it just because it was on sale so we'll just decide that I'm a smart buyer ;)
I filled a few holes with the black blazer and red sweater, which I'm very excited about. The black blazer I purchased is very similar to the one in the picture above - it's a bit more casual which works well for my current lifestyle but I know that in the future I'll need a more structured black blazer as well. The grey Target scarf is something I've wanted for a while - it was originally $15, then on sale for $10 but I still didn't buy it until it was on super clearance for $4.50. Before I started a budget, I would have purchased the scarf at full price because come on, it's only $15, who cares! But thinking about what percentage of my budget is used up with just a simple scarf made me reconsider if it's something I needed/liked enough to spend that much money on. Budgetting has definitely made me less of a impulse shopper which means I'm buying clothes I know I'll actually wear.
Next month's plan is to find a replacement pair of black skinny jeans since my favorite black jeans are now forever out of commission (they finally completely ripped). I also hope to find a nice pair of dark brown boots - I think February should be a good month for boot sales! I think these pairs (1, 2, and especially 3) are some great contenders!
How did you do this month? Link up with other budgeting bloggers below! Please make sure you link back so other bloggers can participate and so your readers can be inspired by everyone.
Well done! It looks like you've perfected your thrifting skills! I'm pretty jealous of you black blazer fine, I've been on the look out, but no dice.
ReplyDeleteGinny
mynewfavoriteoutfit.blogspot.com
Great job and great finds!!!
ReplyDeleteThose gap pants!! ohhh the need to be mine :)
ReplyDeleteStyle Id Net
You did an awesome job. I going to have my recap on Thursday. I have gone 6 month with out buying shoe and brought that today with a pair of black uggs.
ReplyDeleteI would recommending look at dsw for boots. We have so many that are 50% and 70% off. Also if you aren't a rewards member. I would sign up. Its free and you get great coupons.
Great job this month! I tried that polka dot shirt last weekend, but it didn't quite work for me... I was really sad since it's so stinkin' cute! I'm also a bit jealous of your luck at the thirft stores because I can find other people great items, but I always fall short finding myself goodies there.
ReplyDeleteI need to start joining in on this to hold myself accountable! You found a lot of really great pieces this month, and all for great prices!
ReplyDeleteJess - J's Style
fancypants514.blogspot.com
Please join us Jess!!! I'd love to see your finds :)
DeleteNice work!! That dot popover gets a lot of wear from me. I'm looking to find a pair of low (2-3in thicker heel) brown or cognac boots on sale, so let me know if you see any. Once I fill that hole, I think my boot collection is solid for a long time
ReplyDeleteyou did great this month! i am definitely going to link up in a day or two, maybe i should just do it now so i commit to not buying anything else the rest of the month! ;)
ReplyDeleteI bought that Old Navy dress (#7) today! We'll totally be twins!
ReplyDeleteGreat picks! You did great!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.mythriftychic.com
I plan on posting all my purchases this year too. I already have the January ones down. I think these kinds of posts help keeping us fashion bloggers on a budget. =) I think you got some great pieces, especially the Old Navy Dress, Polka Dot Top & Black Gap Pants & Black Blazer.
ReplyDeleteThank you for congratulating me on the baby. Also, every week I run a feature of Week's Best Looks and you were part of my Selective Ladies last week. Here is a link.
http://elegancepersonification.blogspot.com/2013/01/weeks-best-looks-january-20th-2013.html
I'd love for you to check it out and hopefully we can continue to support each-other and get inspired by each-other. =)
Have a Great Sunday, Ada. =)
Thank you so much Ada, you're too sweet! I'd love for you to join us for Budgetting Bloggers!
DeleteI'm loving the spotted top, am looking for one similar.
ReplyDeleteI REALLY want that striped Old Navy dress, but I'm concerned about the material and my lady lumps. Does it seem really thin to you?
ReplyDeleteyou did great this month! i of course adore the polka dot pants. the scarves are great as well. :)
ReplyDeleteGood job on your budget. I should totally do this next month. I have no idea how much I spend on clothes and accessories. I know I don't go crazy but I never actually keep track of the total. I bought a polka dot J.Crew Factory top this month too!
ReplyDeleteMethod Clothe
Those are beautiful purchases! Those pants are so cute, also love that blouse!
ReplyDeleteI am SO impressed with all the things you got for your budget. Amazing & inspiring!! :)
ReplyDelete-Emily
www.herphilly.com
You are SMART dear and NOT cheap! Great pieces you selected.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Val
http://styletoenvy.com
You did fantastic this month! That's a lot of great pieces for not a lot of money! (I just ordered that Old Navy dress online- hope it's as adorable as it looks!) I hope to post my first ever clothing budget later this week. Gulp! I'll be sure to link up with you!
ReplyDelete-Valerie
www.the-style-files.com
You did a great job! Lots of great stuff! This month was a good month for sales!
ReplyDelete~Jessica
Jeans and a Teacup
Wow! This is impressive!!!!! So many great pieces and all for $125?! Thrifting definitely helps with my budget and I'm hoping to do more of that next month! I really really really love your thrifed Ralph Lauren zip up sweater, dress and polka dot top!
ReplyDeleteThanks again for having this link up! Always fun to participate :)
I just put this on someone else's blog post, and it gave me a self-chuckle, so I had to share it here, too: I love living vicariously through all of you who are allowed to shop! ;)
ReplyDeleteI'll be linking up tomorrow!
W
Good job lady! I think you are definitely a smart shopping, and am so impressed with your thrifting skills. I tried to go to the Goodwill today and gave up after 15 minutes! Light weight! I'll be back to link up later this week!
ReplyDeletexx
Here&Now
Thanks for coming by look.feel.be. I am working on a similar post to this and I also bought #6 this month- although i got mine for $.49! When I finish the post i will have to remember to come back here and link up!
ReplyDeleteYou did very well! I hope you find some good boots at a great price!
ReplyDeleteI've definitely gotten some amazing deals this month too! I can't believe all of those items were $125! So amazing.
ReplyDeletexo,
Angela
headtotoechic.blogspot.com
Man. I really need to get on a better budget for my shopping. I basically make it up as I go but I feel like this is much more exciting and ya know... budget friendly haha
ReplyDeleteSuch good finds!!
ReplyDeleteOooo love your finds! And amazing prices too! I am guilty on impulse buying a lot and used to buy anything at full price esp under $20. So now I've come to realize.. it all adds up! I can't wait to read more of your blog to learn on how to budget better. I know my husband would love that. :)
ReplyDeletexo - Sheila
www.sheislovelyblog.com
Wow nice work! I really need to start thrifting! So many awesome deals... and that striped dress from Old Navy will be awesome to style! I am also cheap :) My goal is no shopping (only accessories) and shopping my closet... we'll see how I do :)
ReplyDeleteXO
Pearls & Paws
Nice job!!! So much smart shopping there, you got some amazing deals! I love the polka dot top and that gorgeous F21 necklace in particular. Linking up today! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat assortment of versatile pieces... seems like you'll get a lot of wear out of all of it. Love the yellow belt and striped dress :)
ReplyDeleteAbout the black skinny jeans...I just bought a pair from Target for under $30! They're pretty awesome. I love these posts by the way...I think I'm gonna start doing posts like this myself and linking up! Nothing like holding myself accountable :)
ReplyDeleteI'm loving that polka dot shirt–so cute with boyfriend jeans for a weekend look!
ReplyDeleteAlyssa
The Glossy Life
Wow - you did amazing with your budget! Way to go!
ReplyDeleteSo lovely!
ReplyDeleteWow, nice finds. I need to tally up my goodies and link up too.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
I thought I was a bargain shopper, until I saw your post. Wowzers! Currently, I do not have a budget, which I should. Maybe I should be on a shopping hiatus, like our friend Whitney. Boy, I don't know how many times I would cheat. hahha.
ReplyDeleteYou're hilarious! I think it's easier than you give a hiatus credit -- though, I did blatantly cheat this month (just a tiny $5.58 worth!).
DeleteI need to TOTALLY do this.. I keep seeing it on blogs and I really could use the accountability because I'm always fudging my budget to my husband ;)
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Nikki at www.bedazzlesafterdark.com
Great finds, Franziska! When I first saw all the pictures in your post I thought "oh, I bet she took advantage of January sales." I had no idea that you did THAT well. I LOVE the old navy dress and the thrift store finds. Seriously, great job!
ReplyDeleteMy goal is to also one day have almost 15 items and have my budget be $125! I spent less than $100 this month, but it was on 5 items AND I had either a gift card or store credit for 2 of them! :/
ReplyDeleteSuper jealous of the dot blouse. I decided just this week I needed one and have been looking ever since. Actually, all of your finds are spectacular.
ReplyDeleteI love love LOVE the fit of those Gap pants and that polkadot blouse from J Crew is perfect. I'd definitely say you're a smart shopper and not cheap!
ReplyDelete