Welcome back to another week of The Teacher’s Salary series. Feel free to leave me a comment or send me an email if you have any suggestions for future topics.
Click HERE to see links to some of my previous posts from this series.
Since it’s back to school time and the seasons are changing, I thought it would be fun to talk about clothing. Before we know it, we’ll be putting away those short sleeves and piling on the layers for fall!
Before I quit work and we got really serious about budgeting out every penny, clothing was one of those categories that I didn’t really plan out each month. I enjoyed shopping and would try to find good deals on clothing, but it was never really something I planned ahead for – I just bought what I wanted/needed as long as I felt like we had the money for it.
When we became a single-income family, things had to change when it came to buying clothing. It could no longer be one of those mysterious spending categories. It had to be planned for just like everything else.
Now that we have been budgeting for a while, I’m actually thankful that our income level forced us to be more deliberate with our spending. When money was more plentiful, we did our best to save and be good stewards, but I’m sure we could have spent our money more wisely. Now, we are “forced” to be more purposeful with our spending, which is a good thing in the long run.
If you aren’t currently budgeting money each month for clothing, I’d certainly encourage you to give it a try. And here are my reasons why.
1. Clothing is a necessity
This might sound like an obvious one, but if you are not a natural “shopper,” you may have a tendency to forget this. Whether you like to shop or not, clothing is a necessity. Everyone needs clothing, so you might as well plan for it. Simple as that. If you are like me and like to shop, you are well aware of this fact already.
There may be some months when you know you will need to purchase some clothing, so your budget will allow you to plan for that spending that needs to happen. But, even if you don’t know what specific items you might need in advance, you know you will need them at some point.
2. Always be ready
You can’t always predict when you will need new clothes. You might have a closet full of clothes, but you can’t always foresee when they will wear out. We try to take care of our clothes so we can wear them as long as we can, but sometimes things happen. A clothing budget will ensure you have some money set aside in case you have a need that you didn’t see coming at the beginning of the month. There shouldn’t be the temptation to incur debt if the money is already there.
In addition, I find that some of the best deals I find on clothing {especially brand new clothing} are when I least expect them. I may not “need” a new winter coat as we head into the spring season, but it’s often a great time to get one that I will need next winter at a deeply discounted price. Buying at the end of a season {when you no longer “need” the item} is a great way to save a lot of money on clothing. Your clothing budget ensures you have some money set aside when those good deals arise.
3. Accountability
This can work both ways. If you are a “shopper,” your clothing budget will keep you in check so that you aren’t constantly spending more than you should. It will also help you when making your purchasing decisions. You might reconsider that half-priced item when you realize that one item will take up the majority of your budget for the month.
On the flip side, a clothing budget will encourage non-shoppers to buy clothes without guilt. Again, clothing is necessary, whether you like to shop for it or not. By setting a budget for it, there is no guilt when you have to make a purchase.
4. Spread the spending
I know people who tend to shop just a couple of times a year, so those shopping trips tend to be large ones. This might work for some families, but it can be difficult for those living on a tighter budget. A clothing budget allows you to spread the spending out across the year, so you have the money when you need it. If you don’t need anything during a particular month, then let that money accumulate and roll into the next month.
This helps when purchasing more expensive clothing items too. By rolling the money you didn’t spend, you will have the money there when you need it to purchase some of those more expensive clothing items {such as boots, suits, or more formal outfits}.
Next week, I’ll talk a little more about how we budget for clothing as well as some things to consider if you are just starting out.
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Do you currently include clothing as part of your monthly budget?
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I COMPLETELY agree! My sister asked me how I survive being so tight with my money. I have to budget for things like clothes and entertainment. It is not that I don't have fun, I just have it when planned and budgeted! Love your $ posts!
I think it's so wonderful that you are such a good steward of your money at this point in your life. You are learning some super valuable things and will have this budgeting thing DOWN long before your peers!! Way to go, AH!! 🙂
You always have well written blogs. Sharing on my social media {again} 🙂
Thanks for your encouragement! I really appreciate it! 🙂
These tips are perfectly time. Thanks for reminding me to check the hard and fast numbers on my clothing budget before using my birthday month coupons!
I tend to use birthday money a lot on clothes for myself too! Happy birthday!