Mixing (Animal) Prints

We've been knee deep in personal finance the last couple posts so I thought today would be a great chance to sneak in an outfit post.





top: gap; jacket: banana republic; jeans: old navy; shoes: target; jewelry-mixed. 


How timely of me to choose animal print for my outfit the same day Christina announced her next Bloggers Do It Better Challenge. While I would love to have a leopard print top of some sort, maybe a nice lounge-y sweater piece, it's not in the budget (as SSF would say) so I will have to just stick with my leopard print shoes and my giraffe print cuff bracelet. Not bad though for things I've had just lying around the house.

On another note, I think I've moved past the useful life of these denim leggings. While the price point was compelling last fall when I bought them (around $17) they haven't held up against the washing machine as well as I would have liked. (Lesson learned: don't buy $17 dollar jean leggings hoping they will last)

Finally, If you look closely at the last picture you may notice I'm wearing the state of Pennsylvania around my neck. Awesome right? I have to tell you, I'm kind of obsessed. My sister bought it for me for my birthday (after I e-mailed her the link--I like people that can take a hint). It's designed and sold by Maya Brenner.  I'm totally obsessed with her stuff right now. (I'm not even kidding you that this necklace may have inspired the design behind my whole wedding invitation suite.

Anyway, it's Friday! Everyone go and enjoy their weekend. I know I will. SSF and I have a gift certificate to our favorite restaurant and a Groupon for movie tickets. I smell a date night (cause that's how we roll).

Personal Finance Challenge: 30 Day Credit Card Ban (wrap-up)

I realized that because my vacation coincided with the finale of my credit card ban I never got a chance to sum up the month for you. So here it is:
What I Learned From a Month with No Credit:

1. I have more self-control than I ever give myself credit for. I started the month with $180 cash to spend on anything that wasn't a pre-budgeted bill or gas and ended with $15 still in my wallet.

2. Having a limited supply of money available for the month makes you question every purchase. Even when it came down to something as simple as lunch I found myself less willing to opt for a meal in the cafeteria.
Frivolous spending today only equated to less money tomorrow. 

3. On the other hand, when you truly love something you don't feel guilty handing over cash for it. Seriously, there was never any buyer's remorse here. I bought two items of clothing during my credit card ban, a dress from Goodwill and a scarf from Urban Outfitters and have not have any regrets.

4. Cash helps you look forward, instead of looking back. The thing about credits cards is that when the bill comes you are always paying for something from the past. Whether it be a meal, or clothing, or tickets to a baseball game it's already happened. It's almost impossible to plan for future expenses when you are trying to recall what was already spent. With cash, once the money leaves your hand it's paid for.

Finally,

5. Having cash on hand automatically makes you responsible for parking and tips.
Thanks SSBF.

Anyway, I would say if you are looking for a way to better control your cash flow I would recommend trying a credit detox for a month. It's actually quite liberating.

Next Month's Challenge: Snowflaking.