I'm thinking of tinkering with my jars when I redo my budget when the loan is done. One of the areas I struggle with is clothing....or clothing/gifts if you structure your jars a la Gail Vaz Oxlade. It's never been really a solid part of my budget line to be honest. I think I was in denial. And then they would grow and need new jeans/shoes/coats and I'd be scrambling.
I have two growing boys in early and mid teens. I think the older one is hitting another spurt as he's been eating even more than usual lately. sigh. He's already 6 foot 2 at 15. I told him if he reaches the point where he has to duck to walk under the archway leading out of the kitchen to the livingroom, he has to go live with his grandmother and she can pay to feed him :P
For those with kids who are willing.....how much a month do you set aside for clothing???
Tuesday, Nice weekend!
1 day ago
5 comments:
I don't have kids yet - but I'm eager to hear what people have to say.
I have one little boy that is almost four. I'm like you and don't really set aside $$ for clothing and scramble when the need arises. I'd have to estimate that we spend probably $800 a year on him for clothing but it's really probably less than that though. He's the only grankid on my husband's side and his grandparents/aunts regularly purchase clothing items for him. I don't count on them to buy things, they just like doing it.
We have 4 kids, and we've been on the 'jars' for 6+ weeks now. I've allocated $50/week for clothing & gifts. I'm trying to buy used as much as possible now! I manage to find some amazing deals for clothing for us used, and a lot of times it's not even used, people buy it, and never use it so sell it dirt cheap! I owe a few more hundred on my CC then i'll have an extra $200 in our budget every month.. not sure if i'll "up" this category or not. My oldest son is 15 and 6'0 tall, so I feel your pain. LOL!!
Hi Jolie,
This is the first time I comment on your blog which I love.
I read Gail's new book around Christams time and I learned a lot.
I made a budget for the first time in my life (I am 46 y old), I have a debt repayment plan, I have started my EF and I am contributing to RRSP (I also have a pension plan).
I feel very lonely dealing with my money and my struggles but at the same time I am proud of my little accomplishments so far.
I feel discouraged sometimes when I think how long it will take to pay the debt.
I find strength and determination by reading blogs like yours and GVO blog.
Thank you!!!
We have 7 kids, and we're very lucky to have lots of friends that help us with hand-me-downs. We also do a lot of shopping at Value Village and Talize. That said, we use Amy's Universal Child Care Benefit of $200 every month to get the stuff the kids need, but that can be anything from clothes to Scouting outings, etc. It's set aside from the budget and is not included. Sometimes it's used and sometimes it's not. When it's not used it's generally left in the savings for another month.
Post a Comment