Mathematically Responsible

One class that I teach is called Practical Math and it's all about using math in real-life. Students practice writing checks (yes, I know that this may be a bit outdated but I still find the value in it), balancing their checkbooks, and sticking to a budget.

I have never really had trouble with budgeting for clothes because I never really bought many. After reading some of my favorite blogs, I found that many fashion bloggers are honest about their budgets and what they spend on clothes monthly. I have decided that from here on forward I will stick to the following guidelines:

1) No buying anything new until October November.
2) Purchases will not exceed $70 per month.
3) My goal price for each item is under $15.

Certainly there will be times I will purchase items over that price but they will have to fit into my monthly budget. And I'm starting off with one exception to Rule #1 and that is if I find a pair of boots before October I will buy them now but they'll come out of my October's budget. In light of recent purchases I have decided: no boots for me!

"October" Purchases 
A trip to the outlet stores right before school started got me into trouble with Guideline #1 and while I really love all the purchases it will set me back into my November budget. On the brightside, I finally did my first photo shoot and I'm proud to say everything I bought in this last minute dash was used quite a bit!

J. Crew Factory Store
Pencil skirt in double-serge cotton royal violet
Shorter pencil skirt in royal purple printed stretch cotten sateen

Talbots
Shoreline stripe pencil skirt

Gap
Royal blue cropped V-neck cardigan

Nine West
Three-buckle natural belt
Summer/Fall Purchases (June, July, August, September)
After doing a much needed sweep of my closet getting rid of things that were too big, too small, too old (not that they were shabby but they were appropriate when I was 21 and living in Spain), and too casual I found myself with not much left. I saved about 4 pairs of slacks from my early teaching days, a few dresses, and very few shirts. I was starting over from scratch. My mom and sister helped me get some basics by taking me shopping at The Limited and my wonderfully amazing, kind mother footed the bill. Thanks mom! Below are the stores I shopped at and what I purchased. Using my above guidelines you can figure out a rough total cost and the reason I'm not allowed to buy anything else until October!

The Limited
Light grey slacks
Dark grey slacks with aqua plaid pattern
Navy capris
Black capris
Blue and grey striped cardigan (dark purple tank to match)
Royal T-shirt sweater
Aqua T-shirt sweater
Orange T-shirt sweater
Black T-shirt

TJ Maxx
Black and white striped cardigan
Striped blue, white, magenta cardigan-$7!
White shirt with black stars
White collared shirt (The Limited Essentials Shirt)
Black collared shirt (The Limited Essentials Shirt)
Navy and emerald chevron pattern tank
Sheer black collared shirt with polka dots

Goodwill
Grey wool dress (Banana Republic) $8
Brown tweed blazer (Style and Co.) $2 clearance
Pink collared shirt (Gap) $4
Lilac collared shirt (Ann Taylor) $2 clearance
Pink stripe collared shirt (Banana Republic) $4
Blue stripe collared shirt (Old Navy)$4
Magenta ruffle collared tank (INC) $4
Black and white geometric skirt with pockets (Studio M) $4
Black pleated skirt (INC) $4
Wool coat (vintage) $12
Pink beaded cardigan (Ann Taylor) $6
Light green cardigan (Old Navy) $6
Cream cardigan (Benetton) $6
Light blue cardigan (J. Crew) $6 has stains and may not be salvageable
Purple tank (Ann Taylor) $5
Black argyle wool sweater (Merona) $4

Target
Yellow patterned cardigan
Black and white blouse dress-clearance $7
Blue, green, yellow patterned tank-clearance $5
Orange flats-clearance $10
Orange beaded necklace-clearance $6
Shades of blue beaded necklace-clearance $6
Zebra skinny belt-clearance $5

Forever 21
White and black polka dot T-shirt
Teal braided belt
Nude skinny belt
Blue and green belt

Payless Shoes
Red wedges-sale
Blue flats-sale

Plato's Closet
Steve Madden leopard wedges-$10!

Big Lots
Zebra flats-$10!

Claire's
Black skinny belt
White skinny belt

Wet Seal
Thick black belt (buckle in back)


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