One Month Challenge: Learn to Budget, Week 3

January 21, 2012 5:00 pm     Posted in Money & Career, Reality  Jenn Inzetta g+ page


By Jenn Inzetta

Okay, okay! I admit it! I went off budget this week! I shopped! I bought an item of clothing that I did not need and probably will not use for quite some time! But it’s useful! I swear! And I will use it…just probably not until next winter.

I bought a winter coat, which was on sale. Which really isn’t all that big of a deal if you don’t know the fact that I have a lot of coats. Leather. Wool. Down. Denim. You name it, I have it. But what do you want from me? I live in New York City, the coat capital of the world! With every season represented and plenty of excuses to buy lots and lots of coats. And so I do.

It was just a slight slip up. I was on my way to CVS when I passed one of my favorite stores with a big, huge, sale sign in the window. I had some time to kill, so I figured, why not? I’ll just browse. And then I got to the coat section. There it was: a belted, black, mid length coat. On sale.  And it was just my size. I tried it on, and yes, I bought it. But the damage wasn’t that bad. The coat which was original $200+ was on sale for $50. And although I probably won’t be wearing it this season, I will be able to wear it next winter, and the one after that, and after that, because it is, in fact, a timeless piece. And it’s better I buy the coat now then next November when it’s at its original price, isn’t it? You see how good at rationalizing, I am?

But no, seriously, while I didn’t stick to my original goal, I do not think this week was a complete failure. I bought an item that I will most definitely use time and time again. And I bought it on sale. It was a smart purchase. And at the end of the day, that’s really what I want to begin doing: making smart purchases. Assessing the value of what I’m spending my money on before I spend it, and making sure that I can control and keep track of my spending habits.

So for now, I’ll just chalk this week up to a learning experience.

Jenn is a communications grad student and social media fanatic who spends her free time reading, writing, watching too much tv, and shopping for shoes she can’t afford. You can follow her on twitter @jenninzetta.

2 Comments on "One Month Challenge: Learn to Budget, Week 3"

  1. Maura - Rider University says:
    Sat, 21st Jan 20127:48 pm 

    I love buying classic items out of season. I live in the north too, so if I buy a coat after december I still have January and Feburary to wear it. Last December I got a white peacoat for $27.00 that was originally priced close to $100.

    Sometimes you just can't pass a good sale up!

  2. Bee says:
    Sun, 22nd Jan 20127:55 am 

    I'm sorry if I'm bubble-bursting because I'm sort of on the same path as you (I've just been doing it a bit longer.) but, this was not a smart purchase if you already have a ton of coats – many of which I'm guessing are probably also timeless. You can take what I say with a grain of salt if you choose but just because something is on sale and you will get a lot of use out of it does not make it a smart purchase. A smart purchase is something you need that you find very cheap when you're strapped for cash. Purchases like this are smart when it's something you want and you find it very cheap but you're not strapped for cash. Just my take on it but overall I applaud you for thinking your choice through and taking on this journey in general =)

Tell us what you're thinking...