The Jigsaw Budget

Every two weeks I engage in a vital ritual that preserves my happiness and sanity: I make a budget.

In the beginning it was more like a budget. Now it’s more a puzzle to solve. A puzzle whose pieces are comprised of a list of things I have to spend money on (bills, food, BART, etc), things I want to spend money on (clothes! jewelry! bags! shoes!), and the amount of money I feel compelled to save so I can have a clear conscience while spending said money. Once I cover the former and latter categories, I’m free to spend as I wish. Some months I’m overjoyed by my surplus and other months I wish there were more left to spend; but every month I have to piece together the puzzle. And this year there’s an extra challenge: I’ve designated 2010 as the Year of Saving Money.

One of my favorite things to say is “that’s going in the budget!”, when I see something that I love but have to be smart and mature and not jeopardize my finances by buying it. Lately I’ve been successful at waiting to put things in my budget (uh, with the exception of those Dead-sea skin care products), but now I just feel behind. My goal for this next paycheck is to leave more wiggle room so I can start buying more things when I see them instead of operating on a 1 or 2 week delay. …That being said, here are a few things I want to put in the budget!

This Rachel Pally dress seen at Shopbop.com is really speaking to me. For a few reasons:
– I’ve recently come to appreciate the maxi-dress. They can be dramatic yet casual, and a great year-round choice for chilly San Francisco summers and balmy San Francisco winters.
– Brown and navy are my newest favorite neutrals. They function like black but have more character and are more open to interpretation.
– I’m a textile nerd and I’m fascinated by modal.

Magazines! Not all of these particular ones, but Vanity Fair, Elle, Wired, V, and Harper’s. I’ve been a long time subscriber to InStyle, but it’s time to diversify. Plus, I’ve probably already spent the subscription price from buying enough of these off the newstand.

It is simply time for me to own Taboo.

Just noticed this is kind of the same thing as the Rachel Pally dress, hm. Either way, I think it’s really cute and having an extensive collection of outerwear is a MUST for San Francisco.

Before I get too carried away it’s time for a reality check:
dress -> $185
magazine subscriptions -> $63
Taboo -> $27
jacket -> $80? $50? On sale in the store, but not online

Let’s say the jacket is on sale, I’ve spent $325 before tax and shipping. And this is only the tip of the iceberg – remember that I’m trying to be an aggressive saver this year. Honorable mentions go to Anthropologie, Edition, Jeremy’s, every online vintage shop and all the boutiques in the Mission, because every time I visit one of these places I want to buy something. And any upcoming sales that I don’t know about yet but will certainly want to take advantage of.

So now, my friends, you have a peek at my bi-weekly ritual. Not sure how I’m going to solve the puzzle this week, but hopefully you’ll spot me sashaying around SF in a new safari maxi-dress.

*Photos found on the websites of Shopbop, Target, Condé Nast, and the Gap.