Control Yourself, You Have a Budget!

If you're anything like me, I go through shopping phases.  Sometimes shopping for clothes is a take it or leave it kind of thing.  Sometimes it is addicting consumes me.  These enveloping desires to shop would be no problem for the budget of a celeb, but alas I am no celebrity.  This is how I balance my love of shopping while still remaining on my set budget. 

When the shopping bug bites I find myself perusing the websites of all my favorite stores.  I tell myself I'm looking for deals, but it seems every item I come across that I even remotely like gets thrown in my cart.  

This is strategy number one - put everything you love in your cart.  

Strategy number two - Don't think about your budget.  You like it? Throw it in.  

Open multiple browser tabs for all your favorite stores.  Repeat step one with each of these stores.  Throw it in the cart, girl!  For me sometimes this will take a few days as I continue to remind myself that I don't really need any of these things and that I am in fact on a budget.  

Strategy number three - Now comes the hard part.  Leave these items in your cart for a few days (at least three).  Yes, three.  Every once in a while over the course of these three days review the items in your cart.  I guarantee there will be a few that you no longer "need" to have, some that have been removed because others bought them and still others that you just can't seem to justify buying.  This narrows down some of your choices.  

 DAYS...

Strategy number four - Once three {LONG} days have passed, truly examine your budget.  

• How much money are you willing able to spend?  
• Will this set you back in your plan for the future such as savings, retirement, or paying bills? 

I do not believe in debt.  I refuse to be ruled by debt.  It's a restricting, miserable way of life that only leads you to feel temporarily happy.  Ultimately you wind up unhappy and disappointed in yourself and continuing to put yourself in debt just perpetuates the cycle.  

If you determine that you can in fact spend a set amount of money without destroying your finances then you have the even harder task of sorting through all your carts to figure out what items to buy.  

Strategy number five - If my budget is $300 I will compare all my carts eliminating those things that may be similar to items I already own or items that do not serve more than one purpose.  Can you really wear that black leather dress in summer or for a walk in the park?  If you can't pair it with multiple things you already own or if you can't use it for multiple occasions you probably shouldn't buy it.  I try to pick a mix of versatile and trendy items.  It always makes me =) to own some of the newest trends.  I only spend a lot of money on basics and classics. Trendy items are much better bought at a discount as trends come and go with the wind.  

Strategy number six- My narrow-down process could take a day or two.  Finally when I've picked my items and I'm within my $300 shopping budget, I buy.  Almost.  First I Google the {name of the store + promo code} to see if there are any discounts or coupons available.  I also check the homepage of the store to see if they are listing any promos.  Hopefully (!) I find some.

Strategy number six A - BUY!    

Just a note for those of you who love the act of shopping in the flesh.  You love walking the mall, scanning the window displays, hunting for bargains.  A tip you may not know though - go to the website of the mall before you leave.  Often the mall website will list which stores are having sales and what those sales are.  

I always start my shopping trips at the stores with sales.  There's nothing worse after a long day of shopping than finding your item, or a similar one, on sale at another store.  Your feet and legs are tired, you're hungry and you're definitely not walking all the way back across the mall to return your full priced item to buy this sale one.  Start with the sales and you'll never go wrong!  

Westfield malls list their sales like this, so easy to scan for deals!

Happy shopping!

Enjoy your new purchases and be grateful you are within your budget. Your future self will thank you.  

~And that my friends, is worth a glass of champagne!~