What’s so wrong with a little shopping?

I admittedly love to shop.

In the start, when I tried to get out of $60,000 of student debt, I  tried to refashion myself into some austere super-frugal person who only liked experiences (traveling), and being content with nothing, but that lasted for about a week because I’m weak like that.

Very weak.

Then I thought about it some more: What’s so wrong with a little shopping budget if I am going beyond all of my other money goals?

See, I enjoy shopping a lot.

I also know that other people enjoy going out to eat and going to spas, which I tend to avoid because I don’t get any lasting satisfaction out of it.

Whereas with a new dress to wear, I am happy as a clam every time I wear it! <3

 I don’t do any of the following

• Get into debt for any kind of consumption or lifestyle upgrade
• Eat out regularly, like twice a week without a purpose
• Even when I go out, Chipotle is considered a treat for me!
• Spend money on owning a car, when I can take the roundtrip bus for $5.20 instead
• Buy a house I can’t afford or even want
• Go to spas and pedicures, manicures every week, let alone on a routine
• Dye my hair, perm it, or get it blowdried (blown out) for $60 a week
• Try not to spend more than $100 (tip & taxes included) on a haircut every 6 months
• Waste money on upgrading cars
• Don’t go to bars or drink — I only drink at home and usually only for special occasions like getting a new job
• Buy 15 pairs of jeans and leave the tags on, never to wear them again

 What I do even though I enjoy shopping VERY much

• Save more than 50% of my NET income (goal: 75%)
• Maxed out all my retirement and savings plans
• Have investments above and beyond my own tax-sheltered plans
• Have a healthy $50,000 emergency fund
• Donate about 10% of my net income each year to charity
• Work hard so that I keep making money!!
• Make sure I earn like a princess
• Negotiate every single penny of my salary
• Never carry a credit card balance
• Refuse to pay fees and interest on anything
• Cook at home to eat better and save money
• I have a list of things I want, and another pair of jeans are NOT on it

 So what’s so wrong with a little shopping budget then?

I dare say I am far better off for my age group and even my income than most people. I am on the track to becoming wealthy.

I do spend quite a bit on my wardrobe each year, and I know the money could go into savings instead, but why can’t I enjoy it now?

What’s the point of having millions of dollars in the bank when you die? ENJOY IT (within reason)!!!!

My weakness is obviously dresses, because I have more in that category than in any other, but I only own 2 pairs of jeans rather than multiples (skinny and bootcut).

 Clothes are my souvenirs, or my memories

In case you think that it’s just a “thing” and it’s an item that gives me happiness ONCE but never again, I would like to point out that every time I wear an accessory or a piece of clothing, I can tell you exactly where I bought it, why and how I felt at the time.

That navy blue dress with pockets? Toronto, 2012 @ Jason Wu for Target.

Stood in line for 3 hours, paid $35 and I can belt it in multiple different ways, and it has POCKETS!

Got complimented on it by others already on the first day wearing it, and BF thinks it’s a VERY cute dress on me, which is a huge plus.

That satchel purse? Paris, 2011.

I took the year off to travel, and found it in a little shop where I snagged it out from under the paws of a very chic Parisian who also wanted it.

Someone told me in a shop that she thought it was by Isabel Marant’s husband, and it looked far more expensive than the 50 EUR I paid for it. Like in the hundreds! 🙂 It’s also perfect because it’s zippered, and not just a flap.

I get a ton of compliments on it.

That sunny gold stone necklace? Etsy, around 2010 I believe.

I loved how it made it look like it was sunshine around my neck, and I love the weight of the stones and how it makes any outfit look that much better.

Those pair of blue and yellow ballet flats? Singapore, 2011. Also took the year off the travel, saw them in the shop, had never seen anything like it, and loved how bright they are.

 Do I have more than I can reasonably wear as a girl?

Yes. But it’s my collection of wearable memories and in some cases, art.

I like my clothes and I don’t see the point in having to apologize for it if I am already financially secure and on the track to becoming wealthy.

I’m not a hoarder of money by any means, but I am also far more adult and reasonable than I was before I got out of debt.

Check out my books and my budgeting tool 🙂