*NOTE: This budget is for shopping/food/gas only, or expense that I can control fully. I’m not including fixed expenses (mortgage, utilities, medical bills) because they’re fixed and honestly pretty boring to talk about. My TOTAL spending is not reflected in this budget. “Food & Dining” = Eating Out + Groceries *
Blown Budgets:
1. Clothing
- Off the shoulder top from Necessary Clothing (I jumped the gun and bought it before I found out a cheap >$8 dupe on Ebay. DANGIT.)- $30.67
- ASOS Lace Petite Playsuit. I’m telling myself that I bought this for our Vegas trip tomorrow. I have been eyeing this since it first came out and when it was on sale I bought it on the way home from LA… I’m wondering if it will go on further sale…? – $58.93 (omg just typing that out makes me cringe.. what was I thinking?? But I still like it. ARGH.)
- Bebe corset top and Abercrombie sweater from Goodwill – $11.48
- Seven for All Mankind light wash jeans from Goodwill – $10
- Striped button down shirt from Marshalls – $10.84
- 1 nude tank top for layering, 1 polka dot shirt (instagrammed here) – $6.27
- 3 pairs of pants: SOLD legging jeans, 2 pairs of J Brand jeans (blogged here) – $86.72
2. Gas & Fuel
Driving to LA takes a lot of gas!
Overall budget:
$-235
The Verdict?
I bought too many clothes :T *shake fist at the shopping gods!* I was too lenient with my shopping this month. I think the ASOS playsuit and the deals I found at Neiman Marcus Last Call really did me in.
Next months plans?
- Today is mom’s last day at work! And its also her last day as my roommie I will miss her around!
- A contractor is going to fix a mistake that the original cabinet installers made… after that gets done I’ll be able to buy a bigger fridge! Mom hates my current fridge (“You can barely fit anything in it!!!” Being in an Asian household means the fridge must be fully stocked!)
- I finished refinancing and my lower payments will start in December.
- Phew! October was a fun filled month! We don’t have any real travel plans for November so I’m looking forward to spending cozy autumn nights snuggled up with Justin and Buddy (hopefully while drinking some hot cocoa or apple cider)
- Oh and did I mention we’re going to Vegas tomorrow?! AHH! I’m so excited
♥ E&I
I’ve been following your blog silently for a while now and I love how you budget your monthly spending!! I never thought to split up different purchases in different categories the way you do, so a few months ago, I started doing the same thing =P I signed up for Mint.com but I didn’t want to give them my info (I have trust issues lol), so I created a Google Spreadsheet and input my expenses manually (more control, but more work).
I just wanted to say thank you for the idea b/c it really helps me divide up my paychecks in a more responsible manner. I just moved out to an apartment and will have more expenses (rent, utilities, cable/internet, groceries) than I ever did before, so seeing how I spend my “extra cash” helps me manage my cash flow so I don’t go broke lol.
Have an awesome time in VEGAS!! I recommend hitting up the Bellagio buffet, Gordon Ramsay Steak (my bf reviewed it on my blog, amazingggg), or Lawry’s Prime Rib (best prime rib IMO).
And lol at the Asian fridge being stocked at all times… We have three fridges at home stocked at all time and we can never eat it all, crazy moms.
Random question, but where do you usually go to thrift? I’m in the Bay Area as well, but I haven’t really explored many thrift stores and would love to get your feedback!
I generally go to the Goodwill stores in the south bay… San Jose, Santa Clara, Mountain View, Sunnyvale. And in my experience, salvation army is cheaper but the merchandise is generally much older. Goodwill is my favorite spot to thrift at so check the company website for locations
Do you track your expenses manually or is there an application that you use? I kind of want to do this since I’m curious about my expenses, but also kind of lazy…
Mint.com
But they connect to your online banking/investment accounts. Some people don’t trust outside sources with their personal banking info.