As usual, linking up with Fran's Budgeting Bloggers :-)
As I've said before, I don't have a specific 'budget' for clothes shopping seeing as I'm still pretty new to the student lifestyle. But what following these fab blogs has done is made me way more savvy about what I buy and when. So when I was asked about what I might like for Christmas the decision was easy. I asked for Metro Centre giftcards so that I could put them towards what I might have left to spend in the post Christmas sales. Fran said in a post about how when she receives her student loan payment she shares it between several accounts and moves it about when needed to cover bills etc and without shame I have used that idea also. So I have one 'current account' that all my bills and living expenses gets paid out of, but 4 savings accounts, labelled 'Bills' 'Fooood' 'Epiphany Term' and 'Noooo York'. Bills and Fooood are pretty self explanatory, Epiphany Term is the name Durham gives to the next term starting in January and Noooo York is my next planned holiday destination. At some point in the New Year I am planning a full post on how to budget for everything as a student, but I don't want to digress here! Since I set up these accounts I've had a few positive financial changes and thus I knew I could comfortably afford to spend up to £280 in the sales including my much appreciated gift cards! I also still have my sealed 'Reva Fund' which will be getting a boost soon :-)
Anyone who is a fan (or not) of the Next sale will know that it is CHAOS. Unfortunately they have a specific sale section on their website which means I can't link to individual items, and have struggled to get photos of some. But for full disclosure I have listed everything I bought, including cosmetics. I also bought some pieces from Primark which doesn't have online shopping at all (shocker I know) so there aren't any pics. As I incorporate pieces into my wardrobe and outfit posts I will link to similar where possible so eventually all will be revealed :-)
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| I can only link to the jeans - boo to Next's sale website! |
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| From Left: Mac Blush in Fleur Power; Mac Eyebrows in Lingering; Clinique Clarifying Lotion (step 2 of 3); Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel (step 3 of 3) |
This is the first time since starting University that I have been on a proper shopping trip where multiple items were purchased, so I had to be careful. Armed with the knowledge that I have little space to keep things and prior history of buying then discarding brand new clothes I had to have a few little chats with myself. I had originally planned this trip for Boxing Day but having a stinking cold put paid to that and do you know what? I am so glad! Many shops close their fitting rooms on Boxing Day as it is so busy, which leads to impulse purchases and I just KNOW what I am like - I never return what doesn't fit/look right. So whilst I might have missed out on one or two things, overall I am much happier that what I have bought not only goes with other items I already have but also fits! And, although it was busy, it wasn't so busy that I got shopping rage.
Next Blue Kick Flare Pants (sale, no link available)
Next White/Grey Striped work shirt (sale, no link available)
Next Black double pocketed shirt (could be dressed up or down) (sale, no link available)
Subtotal
Dorothy Perkins Skinny Jeans
Subtotal
Running Total
Primark Casual Tee £3.00
Primark Cotton Tote £1.50
Primark Longline Casual Tee £6.00
Primark Vest Top £2.50
Primark Casual Joggers £9.00
Primark Ponytailer £1.00
Subtotal £23.00*
Running Total
Mac Blush £18.50
Mac Eyebrow Pencil £14.00
Subtotal £32.00**
Running Total
Clinique Clarifying Lotion £16.50
Clinique Moisturiser £30.00
Subtotal £46.50**
Running Total
*You will notice nothing from Primark is on 'sale'. It's like a jumble sale in there at the best of times and there is no way I am hardcore enough to plunge into the sales racks! Also the quality can be very poor (hence the low low price) so once things get even more tangled on the sales stands quite often things are damaged.
**The likelihood of getting MAC or Clinique on sale is very small. I usually buy my makeup from a trusted 3rd party like Feel Unique but MAC isn't on there and Clinique is the same price as it is everywhere else, but at Boots I get Advantage Points. Today I managed to link a couple of Advantage Points offers and add over £10 worth of points to my balance to use at a later date. I may save these up and treat myself to perfume. I have tried buying makeup on ebay but I got stung with fake stuff which gave me horrific spots, so never again!
If you're still awake - well done!
TTFN
LouLou x
- 09:38
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