October budget: aka my shopping binge

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I can't. stop. smiling.

Ok, now onto the regular programming (I'll just be sitting here cheesing it up!)

Time for my monthly budgeting update... and this post needs a disclaimer:

Shopping seen here is not a regular practice, monthly results not expected to continue

I will be starting a self-imposed shopping ban for November to take on another 30X30 challenge, and I also want to take a break from major shopping until after the new year, to stretch myself, put a little more moo-lah into savings, and allow members of my family to actually have something to get me for Christmas (ha!). 

{ Parents/boyfriend stop reading now }

Everyone else, read on to see what my last big shopping binge got me this month

As the sale emails were rolling in at the end of September, and beginning of this month, I knew that there was going to be a LOT of temptation to buy buy buy, but also some great deals if I went about it with out getting sale FRENZY (known to happen to me)

So I gave myself a $500 sale shopping allowance, and set my sights on stocking up on some pieces in classic cuts (*cough* closet staples), but in some punchy colors that were lacking from my Fall wardrobe. (ok, maybe those J.Crew lounge pants aren't a closet staple, but I never want to take them off)

Below is a run-down of where I shopped, what I paid, and what the actual price would have been (documented in parentheses)

J.Crew

  Blythe Blouse $48.99 ($110.00)//  leopard calf hair skinny belt $34.65 ($65.00) // crinkle city mini $34.99 ($79.50) // Saturday pant $34.65 ($65.00) // Wind jacket $24.49 ($98.00)

Total $177.77 ($417.50) <-- makes this deal loving girl PROUD!

J.Crew Factory

Factory crew-neck sweater $37.12 ($49.50) // Factory pencil skirt $37.12 ($89.50) // Factory cropped wool trousers $48.38 ($89.50)

Total $122.62 ($228.50)

Gap/Old Navy

  Dot Sweater $31.46 ($44.95) //  Broken-in khakis $34.97 ($49.95) // RockStar skinny jeans $19.00 ($34.94) // Black ballet flats $13.96 ($19.94) // Python ballet flats $13.96 ($19.94)

Total $113.35 ($169.72)

ShoeMint

  Mona loafers $48.95 ($78.95)

So can I get a drumroll please!?
Total retail value of my October purchases $894.67
AND... amount actually spent: $462.69 
That my friends represents a savings of ~50%!

Ok, so now I'm done, no more shopping for a month, and then I am going to get this little habit of mine under control (the boy laughed at me when I said shopping was my hobby... but you would say it is too, right?)

P.S. Don't forget to enter my Blogiversary giveaway { here }

(ends Friday 11/2)

P.P. S. Today I am linking up with Franishh for her Budgeting Bloggers series... check out more savvy style { here }