Happy Thursday, y’all!! You may want to brace yourself because I’m about to chat about my least favorite subject: that budget life!! If you have been following me for a while, you would know by now that I am almost 100% a free spirit (easy going), and my better half is almost 100% type A (structured) which means our pattern of spending money looks completely different.
Me: I WANT and totally NEED this (as I’m committing and finalizing my purchase).
Mike: I like this and would love to purchase it, but I need to save the money since it doesn’t fit in the budget right now (as he is squinting his eyes and brainstorming how much that he will need to save weekly before he purchases).
P.S. I’m adding the links twice on this post. So, if you want to purchase my outfit, it’s super easy. #LOL
SHOP MY OUTFIT
SHOP MY ACCESSORIES
So, how did I begin this budget life?? Well, it wasn’t easy, but I have completed a full year with the Dave Ramsey financial freedom craziness. I think that we can all agree that having money makes life a little easier.. having real money not credit cards.
But, the thing is that the more money that we have the more money that we will spend. I became so accustomed to swiping our debit card and credit card that overspending was part of everyday life. Being controlled by money is exhausting. Now that I know where every dollar in my wallet goes, it is so much more rewarding for me. Financial talk doesn’t stress me out anymore.
Honestly, I didn’t know how I was going to be a “blogger” when Mike allotted me $25 a month for clothing. Well, I could pull from the grocery money or pull from another category, but it would hurt the budget eventually .. I would continue that vicious cycle of letting money control me.
What were some of the commitments that Mike and I made to each other so we could walk in financial freedom?
Let me say that God has totally honored these commitments that we made to make this budget life really work. I never dreamed that I would love using only cash and never dreamed that I would have a job that includes free clothing and beauty products on top of payment.
How we began that budget life…..
*we BOTH agreed to the amount needed (monthly) for each category outside of the typical bills such as house, cars, and phones: groceries, household items/maintenance, dining, entertainment, babysitting, personal maintenance/haircuts, manicure, makeup, and savings/vacations, gifts, emergencies.
*we BOTH agreed to using only the cash allotted for those categories which means no credit cards… Mike loves to state “It is called delayed gratification”. So, making list is now part of my daily life. It keeps me accountable and more disciplined.
*we BOTH just kept doing it even when it sucked. I learned to sell stuff in my closet when I wanted to purchase something outside of the budget. I said “no” to some lunch dates with friends, to the gym membership, to the Netflix account…. Again, delayed gratification is a must with that budget life.
If I can do it, anyone can do it!!
So, how do I shop on a budget?? Well, I was taught by the best, my mom, how to shop around for the best deal. For example, during the Nordstrom sale, I wanted a cardigan similar to the one that I am wearing. I didn’t want to spend that much on one item so I passed, but I cringed every time that I saw a post with someone wearing it. I found this beauty for under $32 from SheIn. This was the perfect price!! So, it is possible to buy what you want to fit your budget. Express jeans are my favorite, BUT I wait until the 40% sale. Steve Madden boots are another favorite, but I shop around for the best price which sometimes is on Amazon or Ebay. By the way, online clothing can only be purchased if I deposit money into my business account.
If I can do it, anyone can do it!!
SHOP MY POST
SHOP MY ACCESSORIES
This may not be for everyone, but it has helped our marriage BIG TIME!! In our home, the spender and the saver has finally come to some type of agreement!! #hallelujer #itsallgood
love that cardigan- its so versatile!
-Stefanie
http://www.thestylesafari.com
Wow super impressed at your budgeting, especially with a love of clothes. I definitely need to be more conscious about where the money goes!
I’m so glad you spoke of Dave Ramsey! I just posted about him last week. I have done FPU and I’m living this budget life with you everyday gf! It’s so hard but extremely rewarding when you see progress. Keep up the great work xoxo
I love the colors in your cardigan – such a cute look! And your budgeting is impressive – you go girl!
xx,
Lauren || Disco Daydream
That color block cardi is so cute and I love how you styled it!
Belle | One Awesome Momma
Great post! My husband and I struggle to stick to a budget! It’s really something we need to work on because we are huge over spenders, and money definitely controls us. I like the saying ‘delayed gratification’, it’s not that you won’t get that item but learning to be patient and to prioritize before splurging is a way of thinking I need to assume.
Lauren | http://www.basicbabelauren.com
Oooh, I love this! I believe in staying out of debt. I’m with you on the budget, the only way to have money is to save it. It feels so good to get your favorite treasures on sale…love your blocked cardi, super fabulous. Even better though is that you found it for such an awesome price for the win! Thanks for sharing this amazing post, it’s super cool you BOTH agree on these principles!
You can rock that cardigan!
Love color blocked cardigans, i have similar one. Love how you styled it xo
http://www.theninebyivana.blogspot.com
Oh man. What a rad cardigan. I love the color blocking because it just gives it that extra edge. :]
// itsCarmen.com
Loving this color block cardi, looks so cute on you!
Wow this article is super inspirational! I’m just like you with buying clothes and I need to be on a budget but it’s so hard! I definitely need to give this a try!
Neelofar
http://www.theloveliestlily.com
Loving the color block cardigan! It looks super comfy and chic.
Chelsea || http://www.binkiesandbaubles.com
That cardigan is so beautiful! I love how you’ve styled it too, looks great!
This is amazing! Great post xx
That jacket is gorgeous! I’m not surprised why you want it! <3
xx Daphne
http://daphneverzosa.com
Budgeting is super hard, but I’ve found it can be fun as well! You’re wardrobe certainly doesn’t look budget!! Way to Go on smart shopping!
Way to go on that budgeting! I slip up every now and again, but I always do a reset every January.
Your cardigan is so cute! I agree that sometimes it is so tempting to throw everything on the credit card and delay the headache of figuring out expenses, but it is so much better if you plan!
xx nicole
http://www.nicoleparise.com
That cardi looks so lovely on you! I definitely feel you on the budget thing too lol. Happy weekend!
Liz
http://Www.lizzieinlace.com
Loving this cardigan – it looks like it’s super functional but also very versatile 🙂
Caitlin, Beauty & Colour
GIRL. We are about to start FPU and it is TOUGH! Props to you for sticking to it. WOW, $25 a month for clothing?! How do you do it?! That’s amazing. That’s something I feel like I’m constantly struggling with… it’s hard when it seems like all the other girls spend, like, $4k a month on new clothes. Totally inspired by your post. <3 Thanks so much for sharing.
Love it! Looks very stylish and your jewellery is really gorgeous!
wh0cd843225
Ugh I am trying to work out a budget now. So scary and depressing! Must be done tho….
Mel | http://www.thegossipdarling.com
Such a great photo, love! I like how you edited it!
Wow babe! This post is incredibly inspiring! I feel you on the “more money, more spending” cycle. Thanks for an honest in depth look at your system. 🙂
Girl…I aspire to be more like you! Budgeting is so hard when your a shopper!
I can understand the initial disbelief and detpsicrive argument, but it may have become distinctive through use (we have all seen it used over many years), and if it represents a certain standard being met then it is probably a good thing.
Hi Sonia! I think Japanese soy sauce won't make these chicken and bamboo shoot this nice brown even we add more soy sauce. I have boiled bamboo shoot in my fridge that I hav3n&#e9;t figure it out how to cook yet. Your recipe looks really delicious!!
Now I know who the brainy one is, I’ll keep looking for your posts.