I’m working every day over the next couple of weeks. Not full days, just part days – but (although I don’t have to dress up or don work attire at all) – I’m struggling to find enough stuff to wear. My old pre-seachange clothes don’t fit and my post-seachange clothes mostly consist of soft-pants and around-the-house tshirts. The latter are fine for working from home, grocery shopping and the streets of Hervey Bay, but on the off-chance someone comes into our office I really don’t want to be in my old Nike tshirt. Thongs sure, but I do have SOME standards.
Thankfully a very unflattering shirt from my old days fits. I rarely wore it once I lost weight but hung onto it cos it was bloody expensive. I sold a heap of my old designer stuff via eBay last year but am now relieved I kept this shirt.
My faithful old Nicola Waite shirt
So I was driving into my part-time (contract) job this morning feeling quite chuffed with myself in my fabulous shirt (despite the fact I look even larger and perhaps pregnant when I wear it) and I realised a sad sad fact. And something very ironic…
I whinge A LOT about money nowadays and yet I was wearing a $350+ Nicola Waite shirt. (Not to mention the fact that I was driving my little Mercedes from my beachside apartment!)
Nonetheless, I was reminded of the dichotomy between my old life – when I wasn’t ‘wealthy’ but comfortable; and my current life – where things seem a bit harder.
I have some excessive bills and only work part-time (part of that whole work/life balance thing). So, as I’m sure I did many many years ago, I’ve been forced to make tough decisions. Like – no new clothes. At all. ALL YEAR! And… I desperately need some new winter shoes, but alas… (not a priority, I’m telling myself!).
Other than my Docs (or sneakers) these not-cheap ballet flats are my only winter shoes. Circa 2011.
I also want a new bookshelf (mine are overflowing) and quite frankly would spend the $80 on that BEFORE I bought myself any new clothes, but again… do I really NEED one and can I justify the expense when I have bills to pay?
Don’t get me wrong – I hardly live as frugally as I should and I’m the first to admit my priorities are a bit screwy! While I wouldn’t dream of visiting a beautician for an eyebrow wax and the like, I still buy bottled wine (and more of it than I should). I buy expensive cuts of meat and rarely look at prices as I grab stuff off the supermarket shelves.
However, I find myself questioning my spending far more than I once did – which I actually think is a good thing. Sure I miss the days when tightening the belt meant not eating out as often, or buying TS14+ clothes rather than Nicola Waite, or not buying DVDs or books. But it gives me an opportunity to decide what’s really important.
And like I said – sometimes my desires surprise me – bookshelf over clothes, anyone?
Have you had to tighten your belt at various times?
Do you have *ahem* not-always-sensible priorities?
I know this isn’t particularly wordless but there are three expertly-taken iPhone pics in the post; so I’m linking up with Trish from My Little Drummer Boys for Wordless Wednesday
June 25, 2014
Wow! A $350 shirt!! Jeez I’d wear that one until it was covered in holes!
No, sadly I must buy budget on the shelves at the supermarket. My clothes: I buy many labels but on Ebay and second-hand for a tinsy fraction of their original cost. (Mind you I have done so well doing this as some of it is as new.)
No Mercedes or beach apartment. If you’d like to share with me I would be most happy to!
June 25, 2014
I used to buy stuff on eBay and developed a bit of a habit at one point. It became a struggle financially and I cut back a lot. I hadn’t worn a heap of things so then ended up selling them last year.
And yes, it’s not really very me to spend THAT much money on a shirt, though on the same day I bought a dress which cost even more. Not sure what I was thinking.
June 25, 2014
From the moment I was married it was a matter of tightening the belt. Straight out of uni. No job. Husband on a pretty low wage. We managed to scrape together enough for a deposit on a house then it was a matter of money going towards the mortgage. Then the kids. It’s only now that we’ve been able to relax just a little. But after years of frugality nearly anything seems like an extravagance. Except running-related stuff. That’s a necessity.
June 25, 2014
Ah yes, it’s all about priorities! I’m a bit like that with wine and food etc. And some clothes. For eg, I tend to buy plain tshirts, leggings, singlets etc from Target or the like but have always been a bit fussier with ‘outer’ clothes.
June 25, 2014
I’ve lived frugally and still made choices (purchases) I later regretted.
Can you check pinterest for recycled pallet case book cases and buy your new clothes or upcycle them ?
Do what makes you the happiest – in the end life is too short.
June 25, 2014
I have 2-3 (well 2 biggies and one little one) bookcases at the moment. Two of those are Ikea Billy bookcases and so I probably need to match the colours (light pine colour). I’ve looked at the trading post etc. One option would be to paint the existing shelves white and try to hunt down a second-hand white bookshelf.
As for the clothes… #meh! A new pair of ballet flats would be nice, but I’d much prefer the bookcase! 😉
June 25, 2014
There are some things I will not skimp on but now that we have kids I do have moments of belt tightening and I hate it. Life is too short, but then again it could be really long and I don’t want to be poor and old!
June 25, 2014
I know, that’s what worries me a little now I guess.
While my old life set me up okay (25yrs of work etc) I’m a very long way from retirement age. So while my work / life balance is much improved I’m struggling a little financially). Some things I (mostly) don’t mind – ie. no holidays (like ever) and clothes and stuff, but I’m also no longer able to afford to put any money into my superannuation accounts.
Of course.. I’m still hopeful that something will come along which offers the perfect balance of financial security and freedom. (Or I’ll win the lotto. But guess one needs to play it first!) 😉
June 25, 2014
Haha, your Wordless Wednesday is a bit like mine – Wordy! 😉 I hate budgeting and some things I won’t compromise on (good food and wine being two).
Not sure about the bookcase/clothes dilemma as both are favourite items of mine…maybe a retro/second-hand bookshelf,if it would match your room, and one nice, reasonably priced outfit. (But definitely some new ballet flats!!)
June 25, 2014
You’ll never guess what… but on my way home from work (in a good mood as I stopped off for chocolate) I FINALLY called into a nearby second hand store. After showing me some expensive timber things I explained what my current ones were like and AMAZINGLY the guy had something ‘similar’ to mine. Different height and slightly different tones but similar. Plus it was reduced from $40 to $20. So yay!
It didn’t fit in my car so I’ve had to ask my uncle for a favour and he’s going to pick it up. Plus it’s missing some shelves but I’m sure I can deal with a visit to Bunnings for more! VERY excited!
June 25, 2014
wow great purchase. Lovely shirt.
June 26, 2014
Thanks Tamara. I bought it back in 2009 or so I think. I still recall the first day I wore it. While on the commute (bus) into work I discovered some idiot had drawn on the back of the seat in front of me in lip gloss, so my BRAND NEW (ridiculously expensive!) shirt had pink stuff on it.
I explained to the people around me that it was new (didn’t say how much I’d paid of course) and asked if anyone had some water they could lend me to rinse it (while still on the bus).
I should NEVER buy anything white!
June 25, 2014
When I was working it was a lot easier to buy good stuff. The belt has definitely been tightened since having my two girls and not going back to work after the second. I have a pair of boots that have just gone like your shoes. I have been looking on the net for a pair of docs, but they will have to wait. 🙁
June 26, 2014
Yes, though I think it’s easier to make the tough decisions and do without when we’re more contented with what we’re offsetting: family for you, less-work for me.
Deb
June 26, 2014
Good news about the bookshelf. I visited Vinnies today, it was retail therapy, it takes me back to primal cave-woman gathering roots, what I can find when I scrounge around. Very soothing. What do they call it now? Re-purposing?
June 26, 2014
I actually asked the guy about bookshelves but would have liked time to forage about a little I must admit!
June 27, 2014
Since having Bell and giving up work, my spending habits have changed dramatically! When it was just me, I bought things I wanted, no thought of the cost. But, I was earning and only had me to worry about, so no justification needed,
Priorities are different at different times in our lives.
But Deb, be kind to your tootsies and shout them a new pair of ballets 😉
June 27, 2014
Hmmm… maybe when I see how much my Council rates are!