As I am getting started, I have been gathering data. I've always known I'm spending too much on stuff, particularly clothes. So much so that I felt too guilty to look at the numbers. No more of that, I've got to get my head out of the sand! So, I've done it. I logged onto Mint and I've looked back at my spending on clothing (easier to track than other unnecessary stuff). Since 2009, when I began tracking on Mint, I have spent-- ok this is over the top embarrassing-- I have spent $10,455.20 on clothes. How is this even possible?????
With this spending, you would think I am super stylish. But nope. I'm not. I think what this number shows is that I was aspiring to be stylish. In the last year, I've been trying to live with fewer clothes and have discovered that I'm actually more stylish with a smaller selection. But then I fell into the trap of trying to buy ethically produced clothing-- stuff that's made in the USA, of organic cotton, etc. Boy did I spend a lot of money in that direction!! It did feel good to support ethical businesses, but if I'm going to grow my 'stache, that's just not going to work. Used clothing is perfectly ethical. Not buying clothes and wearing what is already in my closet, that's even better.