By: Revanche

The “small” expenses are adding up

May 10, 2010

Since I have such major savings targets, I’ve morphed into a bit of a tightwad.   (More than usual, yes.)  And with the $5K/5K Challenge on now, I’m even more motivated to avoid unnecessary spending.

My iPhone cover is giving up the ghost.
I’m considering checking to see if they’ll do a partial replacement or just going without for a while because this cost $30 when I bought the iSkin revo two years ago. The visor is essential because if I’m using the phone without, there’s a 90% chance I’ll touch the screen and mute/hang up/do something else unintentionally.  I’d rather not spend anything I don’t absolutely have to until I’ve regained some savings ground.  Rechecking the site, the whole thing costs $20 now.  Miiight be worth it.

I know I said I’d stop buying clothes, but does that include underthings?
I rather need a small round of replacements. Or is that a want? Hmm. Either way, I don’t want to spend the money.  A single good quality bra that doesn’t fall apart is between $60-70.  Or at least all my regular bras that cost less than $20 are in tatters. Just don’t want to spend that kind of money.

The netbook of my dreams starts at $1300.
It makes the $250 “sale” look like an incredible bargain. Again, holding back the credit card.

Shoes.
I hate shoe shopping. But I’ve about worn a hole into the soles of my Kate & Kelly flats because I walk everydangwhere to, at, and from work. I liked walking before but I dread it now that I’m in the company of people who think nothing of trotting (aka demon speedwalking) nearly 2 miles one way to catch their transportation. And then think I should come with them for business dinners.  At this rate, I’m just going to have to wear sneakers with business trousers and that just looks wrong.

Another attempt at the Holy Grail bag, partial Fail.
I DID spend $38 on a new bag from Etsy.  The order might have gone in on April, but I gotta pay the bill whenever the credit card comes due.

My beloved expensive leather bag that’s butter-soft, got all the pockets I need, and eminently waterproof weighs in at more than three pounds. After it’s loaded up, it’s unmanageably heavy and has been causing serious back and neck pain.  I’ve picked out a new lightweight shoulder/cross body bag to get me through until I find a winter option.  I hate having too many bags but it doesn’t make sense to destroy my body for the sake of money.

Since these are discretionary purchases, opting to wait is not cheating.  What are you saying “not yet” to these days?

15 Responses to “The “small” expenses are adding up”

  1. I’m saying not yet to my trip to Vienna with my mother and to a new bathtub! Both far more expensive than your list of desires.

    Why not go to Target or Penneys for underwear and get a lightweight nylon bag while you’re at it?

  2. I’ve probably been spending a lot of money on my “not-yet” purchases and making them now purchases. I recently bought a Mac Book, but another “not-yet” purchase I’ve been kind of wanting is a GPS Garmin watch for running. I can train for a marathon without it, but I just think it would be cool to have, and way more accurate as far as mileage goes

  3. L.A. Daze says:

    Big no on the sneakers with business pants! I hate that look and it always makes me cringe.

    I am also looking for a crossbody bag. Something stylish and not too big.

    I buy all my underthings once a year. It’s a big splurge, but i’m set for the year. I totally hate spending money on that kind of stuff. Although sometimes I can’t help myself at Target when I see the cute briefs with little cartooney characters on it. My weakness. Ahahah.

  4. I’m putting off buying any new clothes.

    I stocked up a little more than a year ago and could use a couple of new pairs of slacks and two more bras, but I hate spending the money. Especially on the bras since I bought 4 last year for $90 during a buy 1 get 1 free sale, but 3 were uncomfortable after a few hours. They have only been used two or three times and I’m wearing out the one I liked. I’m just too stubborn to spend another $100 on something that nobody but me and my hubby see.

    I also didn’t lose any weight, so trying on bras and pants sounds depressing anyway.

  5. Jenna says:

    I’m saying “not yet” to getting a storage unit for my mom. Hoping to clean out the attic in hopes of appeasing her. As for bras and other stuff like that – have you considered getting a Victoria Secret Credit Card? They have tons of 6 month freebies that might be worth it to you.

  6. DD says:

    I’m saying not yet to my hair maintenance budget. I’ve reigned in the budget and this is one area that’s costing me approximately $100 per month. So, its gone bye-bye for the foreseeable future.

  7. Abigail says:

    We’re close enough to being debt free, I’m going to put off my hair cut so I can get a color along with it.

    As for bras: Buy through Fig Leaves or Bare Necessities. Use Bing or Mr. Rebates to get cash back.

    After cash back and a coupon, I was able to get 3 bras for about $80. And bigger bras are NOT cheap.

  8. If you could wear birkenstocks to work, I’d have suggested them

    if not, Ecco seems to be a great brand for comfy, yet practical, pretty shoes

    Also, that MSI wind netbook really is good. But I’d hold off until you feel more comfortable & less spendy 🙂

    (underthings don’t count, btw)

  9. Jersey Mom says:

    Certain things are necessary and better quality bras last longer. But you’re right, the little things do add up! =)

  10. Karen says:

    WTF? $1300 for a netbook?

    Buy a replacement pair of Kate & Kelly flats.

  11. eemusings says:

    Jeez, what kinds netbook is that?

    Putting off: haircut (don’t actually want a cut, just need my fringe done. Did it myself this morning. Hopefully I can put it off for a couple more months.) Underwear (Holes. enough said.) A new phone – mine keeps dying, then coming back to life. Flats (can’t find any I like, ditto for a jacket/pea coat).

    Oh, the list goes on!

  12. Check out Sanitas at Footprints.com, where you can get them at a deep discount. Price is not too unreasonable, they’re pain-free, and a few of the styles would work for a young woman with pants appropriate for the office. Go past the nurse’s shoe style deeper into the site to find less old-lady looking clogs.

    I’m afraid I can’t brag about putting off anything, having gone off the deep end at Dillard’s, B’Gauze, and J.Jill a couple weeks ago. {sigh}

  13. Revanche says:

    @FS: It’s my new mantra: Quality only. I’ve thrown out too many “just for now” pieces and it makes me queasy so I’m avoiding the moderately priced because they fall apart just as fast as the cheap. The expensive ones are astoundingly costly (to me) but with care, they really hold up. So I’ll just wait and save, and wait some more.

    @HighClassLowIncome: Ooh MacBook. I wonder if your Garmin watch will ever show up in Amazon’s Gold Box deals – they tend to showcase Garmin every so often.

    @L.A. Daze: yeah, the cheap Target stuff gets me every so often too, but then I realized it’s really not all that cheap!

    And no, I won’t do the sneakers with business pants. Drives me nuts and I refuse to change shoes at work if humanly possible to avoid it.

    @Budgeting in the Fun Stuff: Oh I’m sorry that sale didn’t work out for you – that’s always a PITA.

    @Jenna: VS is part of my problem – I used tons of coupons and sales for a lot of “kinda sortas” but they’re not really much good either.

    Good luck with the cleaning!

    @DD: Yow, that’s a significant amount! Way to go cutting that down.

    @Abigail: I didn’t know you colored your hair, how will you pick a colorist? I always feel like you’ve gotta do that research ahead of time so that it’s not so difficult to make the appointment when it comes time.

    @FB: Nope, no Birks for me either! 🙂 So picky, I know.

    I think I just have to keep myself in check, period, lest the dam breaks and I spend more than a thousand dollars.

    @Jersey Mom: Especially when you let them pile up like I have. And continue to do. 🙂

    @Karen: Yeah. it’s SUPER lightweight. But way too rich for my blood.

    @eemusings: Friend was just ranting about the Sony brand and how they overcharge because of the weight of their brand.

    Oof, good luck with the phone. I hate picking out new tech.

    @Funny: Yes, but YOUR splurge was amply funded. I have to hold off as I lack my funding right now. 🙂

  14. Jenna says:

    @Jenna: VS is part of my problem – I used tons of coupons and sales for a lot of “kinda sortas” but they’re not really much good either. / I guess I can see your point. You really need to figure out what exactly you need before going in there or things can get out of control quickly.

  15. Revanche says:

    @Jenna: Yeah, taking advantage of sales isn’t actually good for ME, necessarily.

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