I love clothes. I love shopping for new clothes more, possibly, than I even do the clothes themselves. I have read articles about identifying whether or not you're a shopaholic and I do not believe I am one. Though, I may be borderline. I shop when I am happy because shopping is a mode of celebration. I shop when I am upset because it cheers me up.
But most of all, my true love is putting outfits together. As I go to bed, I envision several outfits I have yet to put together with the pieces already in my closet. I find that clothes are a form of self-expression and since I am no expert with a paintbrush and canvas, I find my art is best expressed via clothing.
That being said, I am officially relocating to NYC in January to begin my adult life there. I will be getting my Master's while working full-time and since my degree is most relevant in New York, this may be a permanent relocation.
Sadly, with getting a Master's at NYU comes student loans, high rent payments and personal expenses. I have lived with my parents until now so the responsibility of utilities and buying all of my own groceries has never fallen solely on my lap until this moment.
Upon creating a budget sheet on Google Docs, I decided to perhaps challenge myself during my first year in New York. If I can do this, I will not only save money, but I will be able to see how much money I do spend on things every month that I don't really need.
Challenge: I will not spend any money on myself during the year 2016. I will not buy anything for sheer pleasure. I have enough clothes, shoes, make-up, accessories, etc. and I do not need any more. I am a member of Consumer America and I refuse to continue on this path. Every penny saved on a pair of jeans or blouse is money toward a loan payment or rent.
No one would argue against saying that New York is an incredibly expensive city. Since that is a fact, I have to make sure I am being smart with my income and savings. I am only 23-years old and I do not want to enter into my late 20s with debt.
It is going to be especially challenging because the room I am renting is mere blocks from my favorite stores. And let's be honest, New York is full of beautiful window displays and advertisements--it's hard to stay away.
I can imagine that a year from today, if I succeed, I will feel pretty proud of myself.
I also have a feeling my current clothes will thank me for it. I'll be using them a lot the next twelve months, so they will feel loved. If I love creating outfits so much, I will definitely have the opportunity to get even more creative with what I already have. Perhaps this blog will be a great way to show how I created multiple outfits with the same/similar pieces or DIY projects to repurpose an overused piece into something different.
Anyway, this is my "New Year's Resolution," except I have no intention of breaking it in February. It is going to be in my best interest to save and be frugal in the aspects of my life that are not dire. My money will be best spent on healthy, organic food (an area of my life not to be tampered with), my expenses (to not say debts) and the day-to-day necessities (cleaning supplies, etc.) Life is already expensive. I find that I always run out of shampoo, deodorant and face wash at the same time, so it is wise for me to not also add unnecessary new clothing or shoes to the mix.
For now, I will enjoy the last week of 2015, see what else my budget for 2016 might need and have a lovely Christmas Eve.
<3, ciao for now.
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