“Fun Money” Finds

Let's talk about budget, baby. Stay with me here.

When I left my decade-plus career in brand marketing last year to focus on family for an undetermined season, our discretionary spending was hit with a sledgehammer. Believe it or not, we had planned on it.

For several months leading up to my decision to take a career pause, my husband and I had several (not fun!) conversations about money. We looked closely at how much was coming in every month, analyzed how much we were spending and what we were spending it on, and discovered what cash flow would look like if we removed my six figure income from the picture. Like I said, not fun, but we needed to answer the pivotal question: Could we manage living on one income in this climate with a child and potentially another on the way? After crunching the numbers, gratefully, yes — we could. However, we’d have to decide if we were willing to adjust our lifestyle to make it work.

For instance, was I okay with getting my hair cut and colored only once or twice a year rather than every 2-3 months? Would I survive if I couldn’t purchase all of my favorite pieces from the latest Donni drop? Could I handle less eating out and a total ban on trips to Hawaii? What about dropping my mani/pedi habit and a compulsion to order DoorDash every night rather than learn how to cook? Turns out, yes. I was willing to make all of these changes (and more!) for more time with my daughter.

But if we were going to do this, we knew it wouldn’t be viable if we had to quit frivolous spending cold turkey. My career pause was either going to last for six months or five years depending on how things panned out, and we had to live. With my husband’s passion for bicycles and sexy jackets coupled with my PASSION for FASHUN, carving out a monthly “fun money” budget was going to be key for sanity and sustainability.

Starting out, that looked like $150 a month. After things went better than we expected the first year, we gave ourselves a raise in January and now each have $250 a month to spend on, well, anything we want. I have a separate modest budget for beauty and our daughters’ wardrobes, so while those purchases are pretty fun, too, this bucket is mostly used on books, clothing, shoes, and accessories for me.

The #1 rule here aside from staying within budget is that there are no rules. If I want to blow my entire bucket of fun monies and make it rain on a mini tote bag, for example, I don’t need to discuss this with my partner before making the purchase. Fun! Sometimes, if I have my eye on something more expensive, like these boots of my dreams, I’ll just save up for a couple months to make it happen. Delayed gratification? Surprisingly also fun.

Overall, it’s been an enjoyable challenge to strengthen my self-restraint and to be more discerning with my purchases. While I’ll always love to window shop, the mental clarity gained from spending significantly less time browsing and chasing the next best thing has been life changing. I’ve become much better at sourcing secondhand finds, too. Not only that, I feel more inspired to create original outfit formulas with what’s already in my closet. After 17 months on one income, I’ve learned that I already have everything I need — anything new is just a nice bonus. And honestly, there’s something powerful about looking at a highly coveted item online and saying, “Actually, no. I don’t need you.”

Me to every single Memorial Sale taunting me right now.

Do I occasionally miss walking into Lisa Says Gah and walking out with two tote bags full of impulse buys? SURE. When the new Simon Miller store opened last weekend, did I cry a little bit inside that I’d need to keep my budget butt out of the building so help me god? OF COURSE. Will I cut my bangs again in the middle of the night because I haven’t seen a hairdresser in 6 months? ABSOLUTELY. But the temporary sacrifices made now are totally worth it for what we’re getting in return.

All that to say, everything I’ve bought for pleasure so far this year was something that I slept on and really wanted. Well, most of the time. And today, I’m sharing them with you.

What I’ve Bought (For Fun!) So Far This Year

J.Crew Rec Sneakers in Crinkle Metallic Leather ($150, but purchased on sale for $69.50)

I mean, look at them. Fun money was designed for shoes like these.

J.Crew Men’s 1988 Rollneck Cotton Sweater in Stripe ($98, but purchased on sale for $56.50)

I already had the pink version in my closet and have a strong desire to create my own in-house Rollneck Cotton Sweater collection. When there’s a heavy sale, I’m there.

Daydreamer LA Bonjour Rugby Long Sleeve ($95, but purchased on sale for $54.99)

You know when you see an article of clothing that looks so good on your friend that you’re convinced it will look at least decent on you, too? That’s what happened here.

Everlane Linen Boxer Shorts ($18 on Depop)

A few weeks postpartum, the weather started warming up and I wanted a loosey goosey new pair of shorts I could throw on inside or out with a button down. These fit the bill. However, what I’d really like are these. I tried the Gap dupes, btw, but returned them when I wasn’t too happy with the fit.

EVA Flip Flops ($13)

Girl needs flip flops. Girl doesn’t want to spend more than $20 on flip flops. Girl buys GAP flip flops.

Free People Lenna Set ($168)

This was definitely my most impulsive purchase — that’ll happen when my sister is in town and we enter a Free People — but I have zero regrets. Full disclosure though, I tapped into extra funds to buy this as a treat for my baby sprinkle (pictured here).

Eileen West Nightgown ($22 on Depop)

Like I mentioned in this letter,

Erika Veurink

turned me onto the nightgown hack of searching Eileen West in literally any secondhand app for a plethora of finds under $50. It’s a marvel that I haven’t gone back yet for more. In fact, brb…

90s Swirl Ring ($18)

I love a swirl.

The first book I read this year was a surprise via Seen Library and a five-star one at that. Heavy, though….especially while pregnant.

So. Many. Books. ($245.23, Jan - Present)

I will always, always, always make sure I have enough funds for new books. I’m able to afford a decent amount of fiction by purchasing mostly via kindle (the one I’m reading now was $1.99) or secondhand. Oh, and a few were gifts! As soon as I figure out how to use Libby, I’ll be saving even more. I’ve read 21 books so far this year, and I’m on my 22nd now. And no, I will not be linking them all here. Yes, I’ll tell you all about them later.

Marimekko Classic Clogs ($69.99)

My dog ate my Birkenstocks, so I needed to find a new pair of slip-on shoes. Like I mentioned in The Napped Trapped Times, this purchase was heavily influenced by

Leonora Epstein

. I’ve worn them daily ever since they arrived with a bang — no really, the doorman literally threw the box at our front door.

Little Secret Round Sunglasses ($30)

I’m realizing that my only impulsive buys made this year were from Free People when walking into one of their physical stores. Is there something in the air in there? Needless to say, I’ve worn these a lot. Recently, not so much, because I tend to lose every single pair of sunglasses I’ve ever owned until they show up again years later and are basically new all over again.

Photo via @violette_fr

Sephora Haul ($174)

I went over on my $75 monthly beauty budget to purchase several VERY FUN things from the Sephora Anniversary Sale in April. While I heavily agree with

Totally Recommend

’s take on the event, I was nap trapped and vulnerable. I couldn’t help myself. My favorite buys from the haul were this lipstick, this waterproof eyeliner, and my go-to eyebrow gel pomade.

Rivedroite Custine Waist Bag ($90)

When I was looking to treat myself to a utilitarian and stylish “mom bag” that could carry all the must-haves while on-the-go with two kids, this one checked all the boxes. I can throw diapers, wipes, snacks, and lip gloss in there without feeling weighed down — my baby would do that. Like I mentioned here, s/o to

Jennifer Cook

for making the intro.

Substack Newsletters ($19/month)

I’m in love with this community. There is so much talent and heart on Substack, and I’ve decided to start investing in others’ work when I can. It’s just a start, but I’ve recently upgraded my subscriptions to

Don't Forget to Call Mom!

,

mom friend

, and

Maybe Baby

. Feels good.

Fun Money Spent this Year: $1,124.21

Fun Money Leftover: $125.79

Fun Money Available Next Month (June): $375.79

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Favorite “Fun Money” Finds From Last Year

1. Oui, this hat is just as good as they say.

2. A poplin tie blouse that could easily tie for the top spot.

3. Something that lasts forever and will never go out of style.

4. The candle I’ll always have on rotation.

5. A handmade quilted jacket that I found at a vintage shop on the central coast.

   

   The quilted jacket!!!

6. An inspiring coffee table book.

7. A checkered dress that you can now buy for way less money than I paid for it.

8. My best Simon Miller score.

9. The red shoes that I wore everywhere.

10. This corduroy blazer I found at a RTR Sample Sale.

What I’d Like to Buy (For Fun!) Next

Alex Mill Bridget Tipped Vest in Cotton ($150)

As my daughter would say, “I wannnnttttt itttttt.”

925 Sterling Silver Necklace ($18-31)

I love all of the necklaces from this Etsy shop and am trying to finalize my favorite. So far, I’m leaning towards this one but this cutie is a close second.

Uniqlo Men’s Colorful Sock ($3.99!!!)

I’ve been a Le Bonne Shoppe sock girlie for years, but I’m looking to stock up on an alternative that won’t make as big of a splash in my fun money bucket. Thankfully,

emily north

already did the research for us and found the perfect sock at a ridiculously affordable price. I’m planning to give these a try soon and will report back.

The Great Square Tee ($145)

The colors, the stripes, the cut! It’s all great. See what I did there?

Mother Tongue Issue 06 ($25)

I’ve been wanting to own an issue of this biannual print magazine for awhile now, and the issue with

Miranda July

as the cover star seems like a good place to start.

So, tell me — what’s something fun you’ve bought recently?

xx,

E

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