Budget Challenge Personal Spend

New budget means that clothes, hair and beauty buys should be no more than £100 per month - I will try to stick with this until our move is settled and we know where we are financially going forward.

Although, perhaps to many this does not sound like a restricted budget - sadly for me it is. Need to look decent for work and have to colour hair, have regular trims and also have awkward skin which needs attention otherwise it looks rubbish. Have probably been spending up to double this as a general rule. So as a way of trying to stay accountable for spending I am starting a diary - hope it does not bore anyone to death.

I have no need for summer clothes but some additions for the winter would be nice.

Wants - I can't justify them as needs at the moment!

I am working on capsule wardrobes - yes in the plural - I don't think it would be possible for me to manage on the very restricted number of items of clothing - I am working on two weeks worth of stuff plus the smaller work wardrobe of two jackets, two pairs of trousers, one dress and four tops. I don't always wear this stuff for work as its flexible. Basically I have three nice coats and I intend to base my capsules around each of them. Making sure what I buy goes well with these and forms good outfits for weekends and visiting friends and family as well as some work days.

On my wish list
One silk scarf to go with trench coat bought earlier this year. Silk is expensive but will last forever. Have only just got into silk as I had one given in another colour way last year and it accessorises a plain coat superbly and transform the whole look of an outfit.
I new pair of slim leg jeans - M&S have some good ones.
I pair of flat black shoes Clarks or Dune
I pair of boots - not decided whether to go black or tan. Probably Dune
I handbag - colour ditto as above (I may ask for contributions for my birthday towards this)

August spending will be hair only about £70.00. Will be looking for natural scrub for face as I am using all natural stuff at the moment.
September spending will probably try to snap up a pair of shoes and jeans. Jeans are pretty worn and going thin so feel justified.
October - buy bag or scarf and ask for the other one through birthday gifts.

November - buy new cosmetics. I probably have enough to last the next 3 months.
Cleanser/Toner
Serum
Day and Night cream - possibly eye cream too.
Only the serum and cleanser are likely to be expensive.
December - save money perhaps for the sales.

Strategy
1. Buy quality less is more
2. Make sure it works with existing wardrobe and I will wear it
3. Spend more time putting outfits and accessories together rather than buying another new t-shirt etc
4. Replace items when worn only if I don't have sufficient items to last for two weeks or thereabouts
5. Look after what is already in the wardrobe

It may look simple but I am not sure I will stick with it although I am sure it is the right thing to do. Once things are settled again and I can do more work then I can be more relaxed and make some 'investments'.

I don't buy mindlessly but still end up with items I don't use sufficiently to justify the spend. Some items don't work well and should not have been bought. Have spent on shoes that turned out not to be wearable as they slipped off. Have a small cosmetic obsession and buy ahead of needing stuff which just ties up money that could sit in the bank instead. Have always bought good cosmetics, I like the neatness of getting sets of things that work together. Trying a new approach being more selective and making use of lower cost items even if only to balance out an occasional splurge its all psychology!

So need to change ways.

Will post once a week with updates.