Monday Musings: Budgets For All
This week, I’m musing about budgets in all its forms…yours, mine, and the lady across the room.
This was one of the rare moments of my weekend when I wasn’t either getting rained on or freezing my tail off because I’d mistakenly thought it was warm enough to skip a jacket😆. My daughter is in the market to buy her first home, so we hit the open house circuit on Saturday and Sunday, and wow, some people have NO idea how to clean their home for a showing.
We checked out places above and below her budget and have been musing about what matters most for a first home.
Do you remember what it felt like to purchase your first home? What a special time.
Save or Splurge – Floral Edition
I love a nice denim jacket, and I’m always on the lookout for ones with unique details. Since quilted denim jackets have been so popular, I thought it would be fun to style them with a floral blouse.
Floral blouses can be tricky to style for a modern look, so I paired them with a woven bag and shoes, which are trending this spring. Silver earrings, white jeans, and blue-framed sunglasses also keep the look light and fresh. The cost for both outfits is significantly different, proving that great style is available at all price points. Can you tell which is the save or the splurge, just by looking?
My Look For Less
Women all have varying clothing budgets. Some are still working full-time and may spend a significant amount on their clothes. Some have retired on a small fixed income, and others may have retired with a substantial pension, large savings, and love to travel the world. I know that my readers fall into all of these categories.
On that note, I thought I would share a more personal save or splurge because readers often ask for alternatives to what I wear.
I’m wearing a washable silk blouse under a navy blazer with slim jeans. I accessorized with my pre-loved Chanel brooch (that I love but, keeps losing pearls), a navy bag, and casual sneakers. PS, I think the save brooch in this look is a unique workaround and totally doable 🙂
Buying things pre-loved and at resale shops is a great way to get more elevated pieces at a price your wallet loves.
Do you shop for pre-loved items to help you stay within your budget? How has your shopping budget changed over time?
Not only is thrift store shopping easier on the budget, but I enjoy the fact that it’s a bit like going on a treasure hunt. From now on, though, I’m going follow your example and call my purchases pre-loved instead of second-hand or thrifted!
I just found you this year and was very interested in all your topics of conversation.
I just had cataract surgery last year and the dry eye is a difficult problem. I was prescribed the Miebo drops. What do you think of them and did you try The EvoTears? How long did it take for the EvoTears to be delievered to you?
Thank you so much for any thoughts you have on this subject now.
Love they blue flowered shirts. Beautiful.
I have not tried the EvoTears yet and am having mixed success with the Miebo. I may try Restasis as well because some people have good results with it. They EvoTears arrived in about a week.
Thank you so much for letting me know how you are doing. I really appreciate your response.
My Miebi drops have not arrived yet.
I’ll be in touch.
Please do let me know how you get on Sherri
I don’t usually shop pre-owned but I just saw a consignment store close to where I live so I’m going to check it out. My husband is still working for himself as a CPA so our life is pretty casual. We like to golf and workout so I mostly have sporty type clothes. I really like that you brought back the splurge and save outfits.
Thanks for offering style advice to women of all incomes and needs. I am retired and don’t need to shop very often but I enjoy seeing what’s out there. When I need something I usually try Target or Uniqlo. I was recently in an upscale mall in the NYC area and stopped by Nordstrom & Bloomingdale’s to look for a dress for a special event this summer. I found the loud pulsating music in both stores actually put me off browsing the racks.
I never understand why they blast music! If I wanted to go to a concert, I wouldn’t be in a clothing store.
I certainly miss the Nordstrom of yesteryear with the music from a pianist. Shopping was a fun event and encouraged browsing.
I remember that too! It was lovely
I do shop preloved items, not to stay within my budget but sometimes you find something different from what’s on the market today, a treasure of sorts, plus it’s good for the environment to buy used. When I have nothing on that day, I run to my local thrift or consignment stores. It’s become very popular with the young to shop used. Good on them!
House shopping in Vancouver while on a budget will prove a challenge. It’s nice to have you along as a second pair of eyes. Good luck Vanessa!
Wow, home prices are crazy here! It is a bit of a treasure hunt to shop pre-loved.
I truly appreciate your consideration of a variety of budgets. I like to know what’s out there too, even though I’ve been medically retired and on a carefully managed low-income for 8 years. You’ve opened my eyes to a variety of suitable brands and styles.
I have some favorites styles and brands that you show.
Also, thanks for the advice and suggestions about summer sandals. My feet love to be in sandals. I am always looking for types that are good for my feet but don’t look clunky or frumpy. I think I have a popular size (9.5-10 M/W) because in styles I like, they come and go for the season in the major shoe stores (like DSW) in a flash.
I have been increasingly leaning on a local consignment boutique in my town. I am in a rural area, but by great good luck there is an award-winning place only a mile from my home. The owner curates items carefully- name brand and also high-end women’s clothes, shoes, purses, good jewelry, and accessories.
Consignment is hit or miss and takes some patience, but I always seem to find what I need at the right time. You can try different locations and towns to find the places where you feel most comfortable to shop. If I’m not in the mood or don’t have time to try on, or the price is a little high, I have decided that if it is there in a couple of weeks, and at an affordable price and it fits, it was meant for me. I have walked out with several higher-end or well-loved brand items, new with the original tags still on.
A well-heeled friend of mine was happy to pick up a Lilly Pulitzer blouse there when she came to visit. When I told her that I was able to add to my dwindling summer wardrobe a couple of weeks later with eight pieces, (4 tops, a summer sweater, a summer jacket and two pairs of pants) for $95, she said she wished she had such a nice place nearby in her state.
This allows me to have the money to pick up an item or pair of shoes/sandals somewhere else that I may need and can then afford because I’ve been spending my clothing dollars carefully.
I am so lucky. You can be too.
The link for the foldable fedora goes to Lizzie Fortunato. I would like to know where to get the fedora.
Sorry, The hat is here
Jennifer, I’m a dedicated hobbyist jewelry maker. Try using E6000 glue to hold down your pearls. If that fails, you can try two part epoxy that you mix yourself (not the pre blended). But I do think E6000 is your best bet.
I think the outfit on the right is the splurge. I think the jacket and shoes give it away. I love your splurge/save posts. Cute outfits!
I don’t have a clothing “budget”, but I am attempting the Rule of Five for the second year, which means keeping the purchase of new items to five in a year! (I did exceed five items in 2024…) Socks, underwear, workout gear and secondhand items don’t count in the tally. So far this year, I’ve only purchased new gym wear and new bras. I did purchase a nice Gap cotton sweater and a JCrew long sleeved tee, gray with navy stripes, both from the men’s dept of my local Goodwill. I am recently retired and have far too much law office wear still in my closet, when I now have a super casual lifestyle. It is nice to know that resale or thrift shopping is an option if I get the urge. I’ve always been a thrift store shopper. Meanwhile, my husband is amused by my outfit considerations for book club and doctor appointments.
Thank you for this post!
I work full time and need office-appropriate clothing. I shop a mix of retailers like Talbots, Soft Surroundings and JJill and thrift clothing site ThredUp. I’ve gotten some lovely purses (Dragon Diffusion, Tory Burch, Longchamp), shoes (Eileen Fisher, Uggs, Gucci) and gently used clothing (Lafayette 148, MM LaFleur, Eileen Fisher) at a fraction of the retail price from ThredUp. I’ve even consigned many of my clothes with ThredUp.
Good Morning Jennifer. First I want to say once again, how much I look forward to your posts. Always fun to shop with you. I was very pleased with my first iPL treatment and actually signed up for a package of 3. If the 2nd one completely eliminates those dark spots on my face, I might use the 3rd for my neck. I hadn’t thought of that. And on an absolutely incredibly fun note, I received my Eileen Fisher boots yesterday. They’re totally amazing, and right up there on the very special side rivaling my Lucchese boots I bought in Santa Fe. Thanks for bringing them to my attention.
I’m so glad you love those boots too. By far my best footwear by in years! The IPL was pretty intense but I have my fingers crossed for great results.
I have always been a shopper of thrift stores! Initially, I shopped at them to save money. Now, I shop at them (including online at sites like Postmark) for environmental reasons. Plus, why pay full price when I can find a similar item for mush less? I do not set a budget for clothes. Instead, I try to do a closet cleanse each season and buy to fill in the gaps. It seems to work for me.
Good morning and Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Jennifer. I have been shopping in brick & mortar thrift stores and consignment shops for most of my adult life, and when the internet developed and sites like Poshmark and Mecari appeared, I started shopping there, too. Although budget has been a huge motivating factor in the past, being able to find pieces that I wanted to get when they first appeared in the store but couldn’t get for whatever reason (budget, my size being sold out before I got there, etc.) is the main reason I keep doing it. The green and black Ming Wang jacket that I’m wearing right now is one I’ve wanted for about 6 years. It appeared in one of the “You might like…” email notifications from a re-seller site and I was finally able to get it this past November. Additionally, by purchasing from resellers, I’m staying away from fast fashion and the ethical and ecological issues it causes.
Such a great point, Christine. I do hate fast fashion and what it’s doing to both our planet and our style.
I appreciate the “Save or Splurge” write-ups. I have never had, or will have the budget for your high end clothing but feel you are the best blogger for my demographic because you actually learn something and have less expensive alternatives. When bloggers consistently offer super expensive clothing I drop off because I need links that I can actually buy off of that work for me. Thank you!
I’m glad they’re helpful, I’ll keep doing them Sarah. Thanks for sharing with me.
Yes,
Pre-loved, vintage, or used is a good resource for clothing. I have used it for years for formal wear, evening clothes don’t change styles and they tend to be “lightly” worn. Now I go online and search for specific items. For example where I live a pair or two of wool pants is nice to have but new they are hard to find. Another example there is a brand whose cardigans fit me well but the price new is around $100.00. On Thred-Up I’ve purchased several for around $20. Just search on the brand and size to save time, the site can be overwhelming.
Hi! Can you share what the name of the procedure that you have done by the dermatologist to help remove sun spots? I am going to the doctor next month for this exact issue but I am not sure what he can do? I have some on my face and chest and lots on my hands! Thank you!
There are many procedures to try. This one is less invasive and is called IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)
Jennifer,
You mentioned a hack to avoid losing your brooch. I didn’t understand how to do it and was hoping for a photo or better explanation. You may have given one but I didn’t see it. I am hoping to learn this as just yesterday I lost a favorite brooch.
Please help!!!
I promise I will share a picture when I get back to California. I didn’t bring any of brooches with me on this trip, (packed in an hurry) and I miss them.
Love today’s post! Who isn’t thinking about saving money these days?! I watch my budget very carefully but, because I am petite (size 0 or 2), if I wait too long for clothing items to go on sale, more often than not, my size has been completely sold out. So, as careful as I am, if I find a treasure that fits me perfectly and I love, it goes in my shopping cart! I view it as an investment piece. And, sadly, there are fewer and fewer places for us mature but young at heart ladies to shop at here in Canada.
I’d love to purchase and wear pre-loved, but I often find there is a general odor I find distasteful in consignment shops, regardless high-end or modest. I have held on and purchased gold bracelets and a hat pin ( why?) that was unique. Not clothing, however. Am I weird?
My budget for clothes in retirement is modest, but I have certain pieces that make up a nice capsule wardrobe but its a small wardrobe.
I wear my hat pin on my lapel! Looks great.
Hopefully your daughter will have success purchasing her home, but am surprised vendors would not want to present their home spruiked up. It is common where I live, for houses to be professionally staged, which is what we did with my late mother’s home. As for a clothing budget, I was very extravagant when younger, but now try to be circumspect when buying clothes. I really like how you present a more budget friendly option as well, because even those women with deep pockets, do not always want to spend large sums of money on clothes (my sister falls into this category).
So true Susan! Thank you