My posts are usually all photos, colleges and clothes, I talk about fashion but rarely go into detail on the financial consequences of being a shopaholic. I have been thinking lately (or panicking) about the amount of money I have been spending on realistically unneeded luxuries in recent weeks. Unfortunately we aren’t all ridiculously rich and can afford numerous amounts of Chanels, realistically the majority of us can’t.. so how do we do it?
What is the real cost of being a fashion blogger? We have to firstly think about how it effects the rise in personal consumption and not forgetting how this is effected by the competitiveness to keep up with other bloggers. As i mentioned earlier the majority of us can’t afford the designer items so it is crazy and unhealthy for bloggers to feel like they must compete with these.
I am a university student, student loans are how I live, last year I had a part time job which helped with money pressure and I had that little bit more freedom. However I had to stop work when I moved back home and haven’t been able to get another due to the fact I’m leaving the country in 2 weeks. Which leaves me in my current predicament.
Once I get my loan it has to last me three months which includes money for rent, food etc. But for some reason my brain incapable in helping me realise this, and suddenly most of my loan has disappeared on unnecessary home ware and closet fillers. My Mom & my Boyfriend get ridiculously angry with me.. it has got to the point where I sneak into town or make sure packages arrive when everyone is out just to avoid the confrontation… maybe its a problem!
“It is just always at the back of my mind… I could be saving this for a car!”SO! This post is that start of my non spending. I am going to start a non-spending diary on here, a journal of how I cope with not being about to spend with all the mishaps on the way. Here are some things that I must remember if I want to succeed:
- Labels are no longer important.
- Get over Primark & New Look phobia.
- If bored turn laptop off… avoid Topshop ASOS websites etc…
- Post about old items that haven’t yet been featured.
- PASSWORD BLOCK EBAY & ETSY.
- Learn how to vintage and thrift shopping works.
- Take advantage of sponsors and advertisement offers.
- More photography & editorial posts.
- Create lots of wishlists
Wish me luck!
P.S I am going to the Bullring tomorrow with Claire @ Jazzpad… so this starts on Friday :p
P.S I am going to the Bullring tomorrow with Claire @ Jazzpad… so this starts on Friday :p
Images courtesy of http://weheartit.com
86 comments:
Ahah, ottimi propositi :) E' verissimo ciò che dici!
Dove ti trasferirai in Italia? Comunque mi piace il tuo blog, ti seguo e ti linko nella mia blogroll ;)
http://rejectingtheobviousness.blogspot.com
Good for you! You can do it, I know it! You are creative enough to be fashionable without spending a lot of money.
I had a no clothes shopping month last month as I needed to save to buy a new camera, I did really well and only bought one thing on the last weekend of the month. As lame as it sounds it was quite hard! So I wish you luck but it's probs a good thing to try and train yourself!! x
www.aowen87.blogspot.com
I think this is a great idea. I think as fashion bloggers, there is pressure to keep up with the latest trends and we are constantly being faced with clothes, clothes and more clothes. It's very hard to resist. But it's just learning to say no. Do I need it? Do I want it that much? Can I afford it? I've had to stop myself from buying the aviator jacket I so desperately want because I needed to buy books and equipment for clinics (which has already cost me about £200!).
Good luck...I really hope you succeed!
S
http://notjustmedical.wordpress.com
i agree with most of this, and it's understandable, I'm 14, so I have a tight budget ahah, but I'm not going to force myself to shop at shops that I don't like, and that I know the quality is bad. It would e like spending money on something you know won't last, at least ASOS and Topshop last a long time. So I agree with everything excpet the Primakr and New look statement.
Intothefoldfashion.blogspot.com
i agree with ALL of this. good luck xxx
It's great that you're trying to curb your spending habits! I normally buy things only when I "need" something and once every month or two if I've saved up then I let myself have a shopping spree :)
♥ Leia
LOL shopping IS cheaper! omg I love that quote, I'm going to use it next time my bf nags me on buying things.
You are totally right! The urge for new clothes are sometimes almost hurtful!
Their is also so many bloggers which have the new designer shoes, bags, dresses or whatever, and I often feel like I have to compete with these.
Good luck on your not spending days!
well,it's absolutely happens to every girls LOL
Thankyou so much for writing this post! I've been feeling the exact same recently, and feeling very anxious about living off my student loan this year coming - I usually have a part time job at Uni but as it's my final year i don't think i'll have time. I think the lack of money will make my blog posts better as I will need to be a little more creative!
Grace x www.style-on-the-run.com
I've got a big closet where I put all the clothes I'm not wearing right now - once or twice I go through it and it's surprising how many things have become fashionable again. (sorry, this might sound a bit ridiculous, but I started shopping in the 80s...)
On the other hand, I often think I'll end up like Carrie in SATC - A huge shoe collection, but no home.
i've certainly managed to sort my spending out over the past year, i spend more on food than i used to do but this is a good thing. i learnt to cook properly which in turn has saved me money and me diet is much better. i buy less and when i do buy i tend to buy stuff which is less trend led so i wont get bored two months later.
do it! and document it. cutting up the card though?!
Good plan!
go for it girly!
if you are bored, learn to sew. its always really helpful, as you end up with clothes that were either very cheap, or if you use old clothes for fabric free! Its not as hard as it may look!! :)
I shall help you darling! I know exactly what you mean - though I don't think I find myself 'keeping up with other bloggers' as such, just an inexhaustible list of things I see and love! ha! jazzy ♥
thank you for your visit
this is a great post! and i feel your pain :( i have come to the realization that next term i really won't be able to afford ANY clothes accesorize etc. so i've started hunting down my mum's wadrobe and charity shopping, looking at how items can be made wearable and i've got to say it's really fun!!! hopefully you'll enjoy like i have :D good luck xxx
you go girl. i freekin loved this post.
very inspiring for us shopaholics.
OMG I LOVE YOUR BLOG :O
Really inspiring, love it! Now following :)
Please check out my blog!
xx
hi darling. i liked reading this post.
im with you on the shopoholic issue- i deal with the same issues.. but more often now i shop vintage, which feels ok. and doesn't hurt my wallet that much..
hope youre having a wonderful week darling.
im not arriving to london until late late on the 17th of september- but i hope to have time for a cup of coffee with you? do you live in london?xx
ive gotten replies from different designers ive contacted, but those are in the process of dealing out the tickets now.. so im crossing my fingers
there are some shows i so badly want to see ;)
like twenty8twelve
xx
keep my fingers crossed for you dear!
good luck!
I think it's great you addressed financial issues in this post Adele. It seems like abit of a taboo subject for fashion bloggers, i haven't seen it mentioned that often.
I think thrifting and vintage shopping is as much if not more fun, as you'll come across items you wouldn't normally buy or see in stores.
Re shopping budgets, i tend to be penny wise and pound foolish! i'll be very good and thrift for a while and then have a blow out on a single item or accessory...arrrrghhh!
Good luck with it all hon!
x
I can really sympathise with you, I've been doing a big budget challenge over on my blog and its been tough. I love my shopping but by saving for planned 'sprees' instead of just buying things all the time, and using a wishlist to focus on what I really need and want I've managed to save enough to clear my credit card. Good luck with it all petal! x
I think this post was incredible - I'm exactly like that!
My mum's always freaking out when I come home with pretty new things... but shopping (as an experience) is almost like a sport; it gets your heart racing, you compete with other girls on whose got the nicest clothes etc. But not just that, it's fun! It's like a hobby, a social requirement sometimes, talking about clothes is a way to bond with other girls and inspire eachother.
But it is possible to do on a budget... I've really got into vintage shopping recently. You need a lot of time and patience whilst thrifting through for the best items + a keen eye to spot the best fits and quality fabrics. Also don't trust the labels to dictate the size because sizing charts have changed a lot over the years.
Hope that helps! You're a real inspiration for doing this btw.
Good luck! ;)
xxx
I am saving right now, as I simply don't have anything to spend. But this is a issue that's a bit of a tabu in the blogging world.
juliet xxx
haha love the quote! Thanks for sharing :)
xo
Boho Market blog
ok so bad timing to mention this as you are not spending right now but those boots you liked on my blog are available from Matalan, but they arent out yet they should be on the website in a couple of weeks and will prob be under £30 as most of their things are. least they are a bargain! :) weird about my photos not loading..i wonder why? they arent that large a file, Ive tried it on a few diff computers in my house and work and my bfs and they load fine..boo! :( x
ahahahhaa, love this adele.
I AM NOW SAVING.
(oh yes you should be very proud of me right now!)
xxxxxxxxxxx
I have the same problem! I'd love to see how you make out!
whew! its hard to NOT spend anything for the lovely clothes and accessories that we see almost everyday...BUT its achievable! we can do it!
and thank you again for shopping my jewelry, i will get them to you as soon as possible!
xx
This is a great idea! Sometimes being a fashion blogger can make you feel pressured to shop! But if you get creative with the stuff you have you can create some wonderful looks!
This is a great idea! Sometimes being a fashion blogger can make you feel pressured to shop! But if you get creative with the stuff you have you can create some wonderful looks!
Great post. Thankfully my shopping addiction is finding bargains, so the financial issue hasn't presented itself to me yet. A very good thing, since I'm a starving artist living on a practically 5 cents a day budget. LOL. So my issue is the amount of stuff that I've acquired. I actually turned my master bedroom into a closet, and it's about stuffed to the brim at that.
And I definitely recommend getting your thrift on! I used to have the "ewl, a bunch of old, used stuff" feeling when entering thrift stores, but have since learned what a wonderment they are. I've literally come out with heaping trash bags full of clothes that barely cost me a thing. I'm thinking it must be common for girls who like fashion to get rid of stuff after they've had it for one season. It's crazy how much brand new things you can find.
Anyway, good luck to you and I truly believe this won't be the horror it may seem at the moment. There are treasures to be found everywhere, even on a budget, you just have to look in the right places. :)
I have started saving money first time after ages only when I decided to leave for a long long trip to US... it's unbelievable how much I was spending before compare to now!
great tips :)
oh man I just blogged about how hard it is for me to save due to my shopping addiction. meant to be going overseas in 4 weeks and can't stop buying clothes. not even designer ones but it's still so bad. your ideas are excellent though...
http://sunshinelollipopsblog.blogspot.com/
i'm all for retail therapy :)
http://www.benchesandchandeliers.com
I went through this shopaholic phase last year and after realizing how much I spent in two months I forced myself to go on a shopping ban. I have to say it was pretty hard but in the long run I learned how to use all the clothes in my closet in more creative ways and recycle them haha. Before I was a wear-once-then-buy-something-else type of person! Online shopping is so addicting. Good luck!
thanks for your comment, but it is not me on the pics , i take them !! :)
Any way, i love this post, and i love the citation about shopping :)
xx
www.mademoiselle-marie.fr
Haha, thanks for the comment.
Good luck !
Hi again, honey!
Just wanted to say
Please follow trough to my new blog
rippedhippie.blogspot.com
Oh Im really with you!Im still a 10 grader so I cant spend my parents' money like crazy, so for the alternative one, I borrow everything from my mum, dad, and bro's closets!xD xx
i'm proud of you that you've taken this step (: to be a brilliant fashion blogger, which you are, you don't need a mass of new items for followers. i often think it's more interesting to see older pieces styled up in a range of different ways (:
good luck with this sweet.
vivatramp.blogspot.com
oh no now i want to shop shop shop xxxx
it's nice to re-work old items of clothings too :) x
Good luck! I love your list. Primark and New Look aren't bad at all, Im sure you'll be surprised! :)
oh trust, i've started spending more on clothes since i started blogging, i don't even know why! half my outfits don't even make it onto the blog anyway. good luck, this is going to require a lot of will power!
http://itscohen.blogspot.com/
I fully understand you... I don't buy any expensive stuff, I have a really limited budget, so the most expensive place to shop for me is H&M (not kidding:D), but in fact, I still tell to myself I could buy a plane ticket instead of it...
So I hope you'll manage it well :)
And thank you so much for your comment :)
THAAAANKKKK YOUUU :))) hihi
Great post, I don't think the blog has been the best thing for my finances (working in retail also doesn't help) as I feel that I need to write about new purchases every so often. I'm not sure if I'm going to work in my final year and it might be more beneficial for me not to, in order to concentrate on my work (and blogging) so I will definitely try and go for cheaper options. I don't want to skimp on quality, but I will check out ebay and etsy more for bargains (i notice you said you wanted to password block them, but I see them as better resources for finding cheaper on trend items). Maybe we could try a spot of thrifting when your down in London? Also I'd love to know of any other Nottingham outlets as I'm moving back up there soon.
Kb from I Want You To Know
xxx
hehe i think we all struggle with how much we can spend on clothes
This post is so awesome! I spend so much on my clothes, but suprising i never buy anything over, like, 30 pounds at a time. All my clothes give or take a few are under 30 pounds!! Thank you so much for your lovely comment, and i've just done a new post if you wanted to check it out... Panda xo
I've been feeling the same lately, and I keep telling myself I will stop after the next purchse! Tragic...?
http://pagesixxx.blogspot.com
This is freaking awesome. I have one thing to check out this weekend and then I'm doing the same. I've been working my closet recently and realized...dun dun dun...that I have a lot of stuff in there already!!! (imagine that)
You can do it!!
xoxo,
Carrie
Hey it's Irene from Mimitrends. I used to own that blog with a friend, but it has been removed for personal reasons, but u can now follow me in The Satin Doll.
Love your blog! xx
ooooo too funny!
Love this post, I dread to think of my consumption, I work at French connection and the clothes there are not cheap :(
Its so tough!
How long do you think you are aiming for not spending?
Char x
great post and i love the list. ur a clever shopper....it's not all about labels as you prove. x
I'm wishing you good luck! I think another cool idea would be to find old clothes you never wear and find some way to fix them up in a way they are wearable. That would save a lot of money on buying new clothes.
Great post and I agree! It's way too easy to spend and spend and then find yourself in a stressful situation. Plus it's a fun challenge to find new ways to mix and max your current clothes! Thanks for reminding me to fight the urge to spend spend spend.
xoxo
Rachel
I think as fashion bloggers we should rework/remix our clothes more so our finances stay under control!
hahahhaha i always love that quote !
shopping is cheaper than a psychiatrist !
for me its always like.. one month heavy shopping.. then no shopping..then heavy shopping and so on.. lol
glistersandblisters dot com
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Hey babe! I guess you have something to add to your roster. You've won my giveaway ;) Email me at fabblab@gmail.com with your shipping address so I can get the Freddie OUFI London bag to you stat! xo
Hi Adele Joanna! I'm new to your blog - first time - and I think this a great post. I know being a university student is really tough and growing up still tough. I know you will do well since you realize this issue yourself and your challenge is self-imposed. I recently participated in a 30 for 30 challenge using what you already have. You might enjoy doing something similar to keep you motivated. :)
xx Vivian @ http://diamondsandtule.blogspot.com
I think you have summed it up in a nutshell! My spending went up too when I started blogging. It's hard to keep up-to-date, and feel on par with the other bloggers out there... but you know what? Half the time I just dig out the old stuff from the back of my wardrobe, and people seem to like that too! Great post xxx
www.fashiondevotion.com
i know what you're saying : I'm a big spender but always think that i'm good for the economy ;)
Wow, your plan sounds great and I can only hope you succeed; such a change of lifestyle won't be easy (at I think so). Wish lists might be helpful as there are lovely bloggers who do send presents every now and then ;)
Hi Adele,
I received the giveawy ring! It's really amazing, loving it!
I hope during the week to have time to take some nice shots to make a post on my blog...anyway I will surely do it very soon!
have a fab friday honey xxxx
WOW why did i not find your blog earlier!? following.
this post is so good. i relate so much. i spend 90% of my pay on clothes in the first week, and i know what you mean about primark phobia and browsing topshop.com.
you have a great blog :)
Oh man, I definitely feel you on this! I have tried to avoid Topshop because I was spending so much every day there. I think it gets easy to get sucked in when sites update daily. I think it's best to remember that clothes are great, but they are not everything in life. In reality, it's those long-term purchases that are going to make you happier than instant gratification. xo, mel
I think this was a great post! I think most of us struggle with spending money to keep up with being fashionable!
Good luck with your new plan! You can do it!
I also get stuck for money being a student..be strick with yourself, only buy something if you REALLY like it and find replicas of stuff! they can look just as good
This is absolutely GENIUS. I have definitely spent more money since starting my blog; it can get out of control really quickly.
xo Josie
http://winksmilestyle.blogspot.com
Thanks for the comment hun :)
and that bag is my very favourite bag, £1 satchel from a charity shop last year!
it's not to big for all my stuff i like to haul about though :(
http://jaymieocallaghan.blogspot.com/
x
Love this. This is the exact situation i'm in right now, its so depressing but charity shops are definitely the way forward! love your blog and your style xx
I agree, it is so difficult not to buy stuff when you're in town! And yes, I need to get over my Primark phobia as well haha!
www.whatwouldleoniewear.blogspot.com
god this post hits home.. good luck with your newly turned leaf, i just dont have the willpower! haha, although i am keen to get into thrift shopping and flea markets etc, theres gotta be some fun to be had in saving the pennies! xx
http://shutterbug-z.blogspot.com
I totally agree, as a student It's pretty hard not to buy everything and you definitely have to know your limits! I don't really follow trends and when I go shopping, I question how much i need the item and whether I will wear it next year! Definitely important to have a personal checklist to help you save your money and make better decisions!
Great post, I do think about this a lot! I´ve always loved shopping but since I started blogging my need to wear new things every week has increased...it´s the stupid idea about having to show a new item in every single post. It does get to a point where it´s impossible to keep up...
In my defense I must say I don´t spend my money on labels, I don´t have the money to do so...but even though my money is spent in primark, h&m and such, I´m still spending too much money...
I might need to start that journal with you...
1. Thanks for the lovely comment. xoxo
2. I agree, we as bloggers shouldn't compete. Sometimes i feel as though no other blogger can be taken seriously because of all the other bloggers out there who can afford designer labels.
3. YOU CAN DO IT!
i really enjoyed this post, thanks for sharing!
jadepurplebrown.blogspot.com
Loved when you talked about sneaking shopping bags! We've all done that, no? My sister used to tell her husband that she bought $50 pairs of jeans, which were actually closer to $200, and when we went shopping we would always consolidate her bags before entering the house. I agree that it can be a bit daunting as a blogger, since fashion moves so fast. I always find myself wanting new things, almost compulsively. I try to make a rule that if I buy something new, I need to give something that I have to goodwill. This doesn't always happen, of course, because I love the idea of building up a collection, but it makes me think twice before buying something new.
When you stop shopping for a while you have time to get to know some stuff you might forgot already about in your closet.. ;)
thanks for your comment on my blog! I love feedback ;D
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come and visit me and follow
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I can totally relate to this post, I don't always have money to own all of the high street pieces that I love, let alone designer ones. I work a full time job but I have a rent and bills to pay and I also need to eat! My boyfriend also gets angry at me when I come home with another unecessary luxury and I too think of the money that I could have saved...I should start doing what you are doing, but eveytime I look at my wardrobe I feel like there is always something missing. Hopefully, one day, I will be able to stop spending so much and start saving.
Good luck! x
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