I have been living on the SLSR budget for 18 months now and I am still feeling the pinch with groceries, eating out, and new books but not with my yearly clothing allowance. I have not missed my regular little shopping sprees (usually at REI) and I enjoy managing with far fewer clothes.
Over the past year (July 2018 through June 2019), I spent a total of $151.48 on clothing (only one quarter of the $600 allowance). This budget covers anything I wear including footwear and jewelry.
Purchased New ($):
- Safety vest (bright reflective vest for walks that include a stretch on the highway shoulder).
- Wrist mala (prayer-bead bracelet).
- Neck gator (multifunctional tubular headgear).
- 2 camisoles.
- Flip flops (my fourth pair of this model, the ones made from yoga mats).
Yes, it IS an odd assortment.
Purchased Second-Hand ($):
- Lots of tops: 3 tunics and 2 short-sleeved button-down shirts for summer (I had not brought any button-down shirts east with me), 3 short-sleeved tees, 3 long-sleeved tees, 1 fleece pullover.
- 2 pairs of jeans.
- Cotton scarf.
Gifted (FREE):
- Socks.
- 2 new short-sleeved tees.
- Second-hand pants.
All the outerwear things in the tiny house.
Some of the second-hand items have not worked out and have been moved along (easy to do when I’ve only paid a few dollars for an item). In late spring, I bought special detergents to recondition all my soft-shell and water-proof jackets and pants to extend their wear. After reconditioning, I’m wearing my casual rain jacket again—I feel like I have a new jacket (although it’s ten years old) and the more expensive one is getting a break. I still feel like I have a much greater appreciation for each item of clothing compared to 2014 when I started minimizing and when I had A LOT more of everything.
On my wish list, along with books, are now two pairs of boots. I am without winter hiking boots because there are not many choices for vegans—I’ll probably have to unload close to $300 (CDN) to order a pair online. In June while doing yardwork, a rusty nail went through the bottom of my rain boots and, because I was moving slowly, missed the flesh (I had a flashback to my childhood when a rusty nail in the bottom of my bare foot one summer day required a painful Tetanus Shot). Well, the boots can still be used for yardwork but it’s an excuse to look for a more comfortable waterproof pair. TBD whether there will be conflict between keeping my feet dry and my current urge to absorb a steady stream of information through new non-fiction books. The data shows that, in the past year, I spent more on books than on clothing.
References and related links:
- SLSR: simpler living semi-retirement.
- REI: Recreational Equipment, Inc.
- worn (post #96)