To Budget or Not to Budget
The existential battle of saving v. spending—and my favorite summer resale finds (all under $100) to help you avoid it
My dad gave me a credit card when I was 16. It wasn’t a free for all, but it wasn’t exactly just for emergencies. He held me accountable with more of a vibes-based budget that I seem to have adopted as an adult. When I totaled my hand-me-down Honda Accord after taking the SAT, he bought me a used Acura. When I totaled THAT one, he came through again. Why? I’ll simply never know, but I’m realizing now…
On top of that, I didn’t pay for college. I only had two required math courses, both of which I had to take twice to pass. Numbers aren’t my thing. (I’m writing on Substack, duh.) Despite all of this, or maybe because of it—the value of money kind of comes intuitively to me?
Don’t get me wrong, my parents always made sure I got off my ass and worked. (They also put serious limits on driving after I proved myself to be terrible at it—but I digress!) In high school remember hoarding my hostessing money to buy a navy blue Coach bag at Von Maur. Years later, that purse was destroyed by sitting next to an old leaking battery in my car. It happens, right? I like to think I treat my things better now—which brings me to my shopping habit and how I don’t really budget for it because… well, I’m cheap.
Disclaimer: If you want to scroll to the bottom to see my recent finds without reading about my budget/resale journey first, I wouldn’t blame you.
Barring my wedding dress (which obviously doesn’t count) my most expensive items are in the $200-300 range. A few things that come to mind are Miu Miu espadrilles that are a half-size too big but I can’t bring myself to sell, an cobalt pony hair bag from Pierre Laborde, a mixed metal gold chain I bought in Italy, Mansur Gavriel ballet flats I scored on sale, and a 1960’s eyelash tinsel dress that I’ve only worn once but is a collector’s item, okay!!!
Anything beyond that price range kind of scares me, and I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s the commitment of it all? Maybe I like the dopamine rush of finding reasonably-priced, unique items just as much as actually wearing them? It feels easier than actually budgeting? Smaller purchases are easier to rationalize? That’s what it boils down to I think—most of us love to shop and let ourselves indulge for any number of reasons. Some do it through spreadsheets and highly intentional investments—others through hyperfixated scrolling sessions and IRL digging. I just happen to fall into the latter.
I’ve gotten pretty good at finding cool shit, as if that ever quenches the thirst for more. I just bought a pair of secondhand Versace shades in May and am already salivating over burgundy Persols. At $185, they seem pretty well-priced—so why is my first thought, “but can I find it for cheaper?” It’s like I can’t turn it off. (Or as Jim Carrey as The Grinch says, THE AVARICE NEVER ENDS).
Sometimes I think that when I die, the life that flashes before my eyes will be filled with hours upon hours of Poshmark, eBay, Vestiaire. Which is a little sad, I admit—but I do thoroughly enjoy it, so can it really qualify as a waste? One day, I dream of being a collector, curator, or perhaps owner of my own shop. But until then, all my searching will just have to go towards refining my eye and snagging unique pieces on the low. AKA, it’s probably all in vain. But whatever.
Of course, not every resale find is a win. I’ve definitely bought pieces just to feel something—like the fur square toe booties that served Mr. Tumnus (hooved creature), or a too-small Moschino jacket I can’t quite pull off. But I chalk those up to the game. Because when it works, it simply works.
Which brings me to a summer roundup of under $100 resale finds that reflect the patterns, prints, and pops of color I’ve been into lately. Not sure what to call this style, I feel like it’s boho-ish? But with more edge? If you know a term for it, let me know— because typing ‘boho’ into eBay fields thousands of uggo results. IYKYK.
Maybe you’ll find something that fits your vibe. Either way, I want to know what my fellow fashion stalkers have been buying, loving, or trying to resist lately. Also—if you have any budget tips that help curb the urge without spiraling an existential/financial crisis, I’m all ears!