Style Bloggers <3 Budgeting: Dana of Something Good

Tell me a bit about yourself

Dana is a part time blogger, full time fundraiser living in Washington, DC.

When she’s not blogging, she spends her time reading, going to theatre, cooking, and going to pure barre,

Dana’s blog, Something Good, first began as a creative outlet during an uninspiring job.

It primarily focused on fashion, but over time it has become her way of exploring personal style and sharing her other passions.

Something Good now includes budgeting tips, recipes, and book recommendations, in addition to style tips.

What’s your money motto and where did you learn about budgeting?

My money motto is pretty similar to my life motto:

Do not put a stumbling block in your way.

If you want to pay off something, you can do it!

You can always find more ways to earn more or save more, you just have to stop coming up with obstacles.

Do you create a clothing/wardrobe budget and how did you come about the method?

Yes!

I’m currently on a quarterly budget (which I explain here) where I give myself $500 to spend each quarter.

I chose this method after a lot of trial and error.

I’ve tried monthly budgets, even a yearly budget, and I’ve found that I enjoy dividing up my clothing budget based on the seasons (hence the quarters) the best.

What do you like to shop for and why?

Shoes!

I love how they can completely change up your outfit.

It’s also how I experiment with colors and patterns that I may be afraid to wear. I bought leopard print shoes before I was ever willing to try out the pattern anywhere else!

Is there anything you hate shopping for? Why?

Pants.

If there was any way I could avoid ever having to try on pants ever again, I would.

I have slightly more athletic legs, so pants always fit me funny and it takes forever to find a good pair.

Once I do find a pair I like, I’ll buy it in as many colors as possible so I can put off shopping for pants again! (Which is why I own the Old Navy Pixie pants in 4 different colors).

What is the all-time best and worst item(s) you’ve purchased and what have you learned from its purchases?

Best: Coach City Classic Bag

Worst: Anything I impulse bought and never wore.

Luckily most of these purchases were not expensive, but it still frustrates me to look back and remember the items I wasted my money on.

Do you ever go off track from your budget? If so, how do you recover from it and fix the situation (if at all)?

Yes.

It happened a few times this year. I try to recover from it buy selling items from my closet clean outs.

Your 1-3 favourite outfits and how much each item cost in each photo.

Outfit #1 = $116

Similar, if not exact items are linked below

• Sweater: $23 from Nordstrom
• Skirt: $33 from J.Crew Factory
• Boots: $29 from Target
• Bracelets: $0 c/o Alex & Ani
• Necklace: $21 Moon & Lola

Outfit #2 = $148

Similar, if not exact items are linked below

• Vest: $54 from J.Crew Factory
• Cable Knit Sweater: $55 from J.Crew Factory
• Jeans: $21 from American Eagle Outfitters
• Shoes: $18

Outfit #3 = $152

Similar, if not exact items are linked below

• Pants: $21
• Sweater: $15 from Old Navy
• Shoes: $76 from Madewell
• Necklace: $40 Kendra Scott

Your 5 favourite places to shop (offline and online)

1. Old Navy
2. J.Crew Factory
3. Loft
4. Madewell
5. Nordstrom

What is the one best piece of advice you can give to someone starting out in budgeting?

Spend some time looking at your spending habits in the past and what your tendencies are.

Use this to help build your budget, but don’t be afraid to go back and make changes.

Your situation may vary month to month and it’s okay to adjust your budget accordingly!

Thank you so much for participating, Dana!

Want to read more interviews?

Here’s mine and the rest of them are here.

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About “Style Bloggers <3 Budgeting”:

I love shopping. I love budgeting.

I love the idea of the two marrying.

Thus, Style Bloggers <3 Budgeting was born.

I want to bring to you different viewpoints of people who love fashion & style (like myself) but also want to make it work on a budget.

We all have different budgets, shopping personalities, styles and ways of looking at things, and it is fascinating to peer into the mind of others and to maybe grab some inspiration & sneak a peek into their wardrobe.

Are you a style blogger who would like to participate?

Contact me here or leave a comment.

The only pre-requisite is you must be a style blogger of some sort, whether you post outfits on Instagram only (like me) or do it on your blog itself.