The Completely Crazy 2014 Clothes Challenge

Pamylib

Hello fedupandskint and everyone. May I join this challenge? I tried and failed a few years ago, but I think I set my budget too low. I don't have debt, but need to refill my savings after a new bathroom, plus Christmas, plus a new mattress plus teeth and lenses and glasses and anticipated repairs after storm damage this winter! Phew! Also I want to start paying down the mortgage, prefer to spend on holidays than clothes, and I own a 2 bed flat full of stuff! Perhaps if I manage to lose some weight everything I own will look better anyway.

So, having checked my spending on clothes last year, I have decided to halve it to £500 for this year. This shoud ease me in, and maybe I can reduce it futher in the following year.

So far this year I've only spent £8 on socks and tights. I think I'll try and follow all your splendid examples and start going through the 2 double wardrobes full that I have at the moment! Good luck to us all.

fedupandskint

joanne_w wrote: »

How did you all decide how much to spend on clothes each month? More importantly how do you manage to stop buying clothes on impulse? I cut up my credit cards as I have a lot of debt at the moment but I'm really addicted to sites like Ebay etc. Can anyone offer me any advice? Thanks

I cleared out my wardrobe of all items that did not fit, made myself wear what I owned rather than buy more things to not wear. Before that I unsubscribed from all clothes shop emails and removed the websites from my favourites. Worked for me!

fedupandskint

Welcome Pamylib and good look sticking to your budget. Welcome to the Crazy Clothes Challenge!

fedupandskint

How is everyone getting on? I'm on course for another no spend month on clothes as there's only tomorrow to get through I will!

Pop back and let us all know how you have got on. I'll update the front page with all the results

kerri_gt

Whoops, fell into TKMaxx before pole class (one dangerously close) to have a quick look at sports tops...and came out with a dress for £17 it's a sleeveless slightly sparkly semi-mod style. Not tried it on yet so might not fit.

his_missus

lavenderlover wrote: »

Very interesting to read how everyone's doing.

My spend for the year so far is still £0, but I have now a problem I hadn't foreseen.

I am studying a performing arts degree and we have a few self-devised projects going on, and while we're not graded on costumes, the expectation is that we will wear suitable clothes. Some in my group think it reasonable to go out and spend £30 on costumes, and that's a big chunk of my yearly budget! On the other hand, I have a very limited wardrobe so I don't have that much choice within the things I already own. I've managed not to spend any money on the first project by borrowing a skirt and scarf from a friend and wearing a not-exactly-right top from my own wardrobe (the rest of the group said it was ok). But we will have quite a few of these coming up, any suggestions? I will keep borrowing shamelessly (on the understanding that I'm willing to lend my own clothes when needed of course, there are others as thrifty as me), but any other tips would be much appreciated

Missed this yesterday. Perhaps set up another budget for performance clothes? Or scour the charity shops? Maybe you could create a "dressing up box" wardrobe if costumes could be reused in the future?

I do think if you're buying purely to wear for performances and would not wear in everyday life, you shouldn't count towards your clothing budget.

Been a no spend February for me

BlueCow1975

joanne_w wrote: »

How did you all decide how much to spend on clothes each month? More importantly how do you manage to stop buying clothes on impulse? I cut up my credit cards as I have a lot of debt at the moment but I'm really addicted to sites like Ebay etc. Can anyone offer me any advice? Thanks

I just plucked a figure out of thin air as a "goal target". I have never actually totalled what I usually spend but set had a best guess and then halved it. I am new to this challenge and concluded that even starting to "track" my clothes spend and actually spend more time thinking what I needed rather than buying stuff just for the "sake" or impulse of it would be steps in the right direction. This time round I am going to try my best to keep in target but not beat myself up hugely if I end up going slightly over.

I also am using this challenge as a motivator to prune down my bulging wardrobe and make some extra cash selling on what I don't need as well as donating stuff to charity. The decluttering factor is another bonus of doing this.

In honesty I have not quite cracked stopping impulse purchases completly but am working on it!! In fairness, the things I have bought have filled a "gap" in my wardrobe. I also get some of my "mooching" fixes by visiting various charity shops rather than shops in general. I have been pleasently surprised with some of the bargains I have picked up in there, I spend less and great causes are supported. Win / Win.

Ali-OK

No.19 checking in for month end report.

Just the 2 tops at 50% off at £12 that has blotted my clean sheet and this month. I've rotated through all my jumpers this month and most of my scarves to look smart-ish for work.

March may well see some spending as DS has grown alot recently - he is close to needing new school shirts as the collars are getting a bit tight and his trousers are up to his ankles :eek:. I'll wait until he either starts complaining or looks ridiculous with short trousers :rotfl: whichever comes first!

So total year to date is £12.

Well done to the zero spenders in Feb and good luck everyone for March

TheDoolallyDilly

No. 49 checking in with a no-spend February :j

I think I may spend in March, as I am still on the Great White Jeans hunt ....

skintygerlinky

Hi All xx

#48 checking in!!! Another NO SPEND month woooooooooop!

Am over the moon!

Lets give March our best shot xxxxxxxxxxxxx