Purchases of 2013 - January

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Something strange has happened. I mean not just a little bit odd but really strange. I'd just finished looking through the new Next catalogue, having ripped it open, dropping everything else the moment it arrived on my doorstep, and I thought to myself 'I'm not sure I really need any new clothes'.

I know. Weird, right?

Having looked at what I purchased last year, I was shocked by the fact that 33% of new purchases hadn't been worn (or maybe only once). So I made myself a promise to reduce my spending in 2013 and actually wear the clothes that I have (I know I've said this before, but bear with me, I'm fighting against 20+ years of bad spending habits here).

I'm not going to impose a spending ban (it invariably has the opposite effect and sends me into a spending frenzy - my biggest monthly spend last year was September after a spending ban in August). Instead I'll be trying to stick to a monthly clothing budget. In the light of my clothes spending being over £1,700 in 2012, I'm going to try and limit it £700 this year. This gives me a budget of £58 (ish) each month.

So, how did I do in January?

The top four items pictured below are the result of an eBay frenzy in early January (before the monthly budget was introduced) and totals £19.78. The two scarves on the bottom row fed my scarf obsession and led to the realisation that reducing my scarf intake was going to be tough! The khaki shirt is something I have been keeping my eye open for. These items totalled £34.99.


In all I spent £54.77, and four of the items are pre-loved, so I'm pretty happy with that and I LOVE my new scarves!

In order to succeed in this I think I'll definitely have to avoid eBay, the thrill of winning an auction is too much of a temptation. One day I'll share my most ridiculous eBay purchase with you and you'll see what I mean!

Love

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9 comments

  1. Good idea. I look forward to seeing how you do. I have quite a bad spending habit as well and have a monthly budget.

    http://stylishsass.blogspot.com

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    1. I'm considering taking part in Frugal February again this year, if its running. But I do think that it'll be the summer months that are the hardest - I love summer clothes!!

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  2. Wow, I am loving all the colour and patterns xx

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    Replies
    1. A little unusual for me but I love the patterns!

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  3. I do know what you mean! I am exactly the same and I have been the same in January, except a couple of berets and then a vintage dress!

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  4. I've decided against shopping bans because they always send me into a shopping frenzy too. Instead I just decided to be more clever with my shopping and just buy what I want and need, and this has worked amazingly - I haven't spent money on clothes in weeks! No restrictions, just really thinking through purchases.

    Looks like you got some great stuff. I'm loving the look of both scarves.

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    Replies
    1. Fingers crossed that it will work the same for me!

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  5. you've whet my whistle - wondering what on earth you bought off ebay that is so ridiculous! well done for sticking within your budget x

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  6. Hi Hazel, I loved your previous post about last year's spends and I think it's influenced me subconsciously - all I've bought so far this year clothing wise is a jumper in the sale for £9 and a pair of running shoes for £28 - a mere FRACTION of what I'd spent on clothes this time last year! I'm also v intrigued about your ebay purchase!

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Thank you for taking the time to comment x

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All products that are featured on Hazel’s World of Joy have been purchased by me unless otherwise stated. Any PR samples, items that have been sent to me for review or similar will be declared as such at the end of the post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.