Budgeting Bloggers: March

A good portion of my budget this month went to keeping Ann, Inc. in business, as I got a whopping 10 items from Ann Taylor and Loft. The last time I went a month without shopping at either of those stores was November. Between Ann Taylor/Loft, J. Crew, and Target, my closet is set. Sometimes I wonder if I should make an effort to switch it up more often, but when certain stores just “get” your style, you know your size, and the price is right…it’s just so much easier. I took advantage of some stackable sales at Ann Taylor, and I used my store credit card (strategically) and earned a $20 reward certificate. I used that reward to cut down an already-on-sale purchase from Loft even further. Oh and I ended up getting the belted v-neck top (top row, middle) for free because they shipped me the wrong shirt the first time. Win!

This month I tried to keep focusing on building my work wardrobe (another reason I spent a good chunk of time and $ at Ann Taylor), and I think I did a bang-up job. Look at all those fancy pants and blazers! But nothing’s bland or boring. More winning!

As for the budget, if you have a freakishly good memory, you know I’ve been WAY under budget the last 2 months. Normally I carry over unspent money to the next month and then add that to my normal “starting” budget of $150 per month. I had $295 left over at the end of February, so I decided to be frugal (well, my version of frugal anyway) and put March’s $150 in savings. I also did a major closet clean-out and after a very long wait at the consignment store, I walked out with $220! Add in a little blog income, and I didn’t miss that $150 at all. In fact, I was still $71 under budget! Hashtag all of the winning!

So let’s get down to the nitty gritty…

My Budget

• ~$295 (the excess I built up over the past couple months – didn’t add my usual $150 starting budget!)
• ~$220 (cleaned out my closet and sold a ton of old clothes)
• ~$186 (blog income)

     = $701

What I Spent (most pictured above, starting top left)

• ~$280 on white button-up, striped ankle pants, black V-neck, floral print jeans, snake print bucket bag, blush studs, and navy pencil skirt from Ann Taylor (total orig. $582)
• ~$32 on crystal cuff, striped sunglasses, and blue leopard blouse from Loft (total orig. $109)
• ~$72 on gray pants from J. Crew (orig. $98)
• ~$24 on striped d’orsay flats from Target
• ~$24 on Le Tote subscription (normally $49, had a $25 referral credit)
• ~$75 on blush and gray blazers from H&M
• ~$99 on “S” sweatshirt and 3/4 sleeve tee from Kate Spade Saturday (total orig. $158)
• ~$24 on burgundy quilted bag from Express (seen here) (orig. $50)

     = $630 (total retail value $1145)

What I Received

• ~Rocksbox subscription courtesy of Rocksbox (get your 1st month free with the promo code sarahsreallifexoxo)
• ~Adia Kibur earrings, 1717 Olive beanie, and Madewell sweater courtesy of Shopbop
• ~leather tote bag courtesy of Hillsberg Company (not pictured, but it’s beautiful!)

Stop by Franish to see the rest of the Budgeting Bloggers!