Budgeting Bloggers: December

Hey, look everyone! I’ve officially done one full year of Budgeting Bloggers posts. I was thinking of adding up everything I’ve spent the whole year, but it didn’t seem right to do that to myself around the holidays. But there is one special thing I’m doing for this month’s post: TWO collages! I know. You didn’t know life could get any better than just one glorious, haphazard collection of stuff I added to my closet. Well, turns out it can. Due to my sparkling personality, many people love me and buy me pretty things for Christmas. I know presents from my family don’t cost me anything, but the fact that I knew I would be receiving some things did have an influence on what I bought myself this month, so I decided to include them. Plus I just wanted to show off the cute stuff I got.

OK. Down to business.

My Budget

• ~$166 (starting budget of $150, plus $16 unspent in November)
• ~$357 (blog income)

       =$523

What I Spent

• ~$107 on burgundy over-the-knee boots and a purple beanie (seen here) at Nordstrom Rack (total retail $200, Nordstrom Rack price $120, used a $20 Nordstrom Note reward)
• ~$157 on a gray sweater, blush bag, pleated leather skirt, and jeweled gloves from Ann Taylor (total orig. $377, the skirt was already on sale, and everything was 50% off)
• ~$48 on my Le Tote subscription (normally $49, had $1 left in rewards)
• ~$26 on a windowpane print bag from Macy’s (orig. $138, on sale, and used $50 in gift cards I’d been hoarding for months)

       =$338 (total retail value: $764)

Look at me, way under budget! Good way to end the year. I decided to save some of my dough for next month because I have my eye on a nice watch from Daniel Wellington!

What I Received (from blog sponsors)

• ~Lace trim top, rose gold midi ring, and pearl beanie courtesy of Shopbop

And now for the truly free stuff:

• ~“Diamond” earrings
• ~2-in-1 sweater
• ~Quilted flats
• ~Polka dot puffer vest
• ~Black clutch
• ~Striped dress
• ~Tunic sweater
• ~Double pearl earrings
• ~New Balance sneakers
• ~Leopard coat
• ~Not pictured: a scarf made by my mom, and a hat and gloves made by my aunt (the only way to get your hands on these is to be related to me…sorry!)

See how the other Budgeting Bloggers ended the year by checking them out at Franish!