I know many of you do a 'Wish List' spreadsheet, and I want to start doing the same thing instead of doing the same random want/impulse buy/feel guilty thing. Questions, though:
Is yours more of a 'fantasy' list, a 'practical' list, or a 'Want it, probably won't actually end up getting it' list?
How is it arranged - pictures? Straight list style? Separated into categories?
Do you include specific things or keep it more random (ie 'gray sweater')?
Do you buy things straight off your list or does it function as a place to just keep your thoughts about what you 'need'?
Any other suggestions?
TIA!
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To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment ~ {Ralph Waldo Emerson}
Is yours more of a 'fantasy' list, a 'practical' list, or a 'Want it, probably won't actually end up getting it' list?
How is it arranged - pictures? Straight list style? Separated into categories?
Do you include specific things or keep it more random (ie 'gray sweater')?
Do you buy things straight off your list or does it function as a place to just keep your thoughts about what you 'need'?
My spreadsheet list is a combination of "practical" and "I want." I look at the "I want" list and see if I can incorporate it into my "practical" list. If I can, then I get it. If I can't, then I won't get it.
I always use pictures, and make outfits with the pictures. I include the price with the picture, and total all the items up. This keeps me from spending too much.
I also do an accessories list. And a wish list (usually this is my "I want" list). However the wish list usually consists of things that are too expensive, so I'll try to find similar items, or create similar looks.
My shopping spreadsheet is in Excel, and is one of several worksheets that I have in the same file. Other worksheets that I have include: things to buy for the house, recurring expenses, general finances, gift ideas, and exisiting wardrobe (where I'm trying to catalogue my entire wardrobe, which I'm thinking is kinda pointless and anal retentive, but ANYWAY...)
My shopping spreadsheet has pretty much everything I need in it. I don't have too many "want" items that are pure "wants"--I'm not at that stage quite yet. I'm still working on getting all the things I need in my wardrobe, but I think I'm going to turn a corner here very soon and be able to start focusing on things that I don't need but want a lot.
Anyway, the way I have it set up is I have the item, price (either the price I've seen if it's a specific item that I've seen in stores or a general figure for what I'd be willing to spend for that item), category (top, bottom, shoes, accessory, etc), place to get it (link, usually), and any coupon code. I also have the estimated month that I'll be making the purchase, so I can hold out and get a better deal, like on winter coats--no point in buying one in August.
I don't usually have pictures, because I want to save space usually so I can see everything listed. I generally buy things off of the list if they've been on the list for over a week or two. Usually I have to wait until payday anyway, so that helps me make sure I buy things that aren't just impulse buys. Sometimes I have a very specific idea of what I want, like a pink cable v neck sweater from JCrew, or sometimes it more general, like "grey sweater"--it just depends if I've seen THE item I'm after or if I know what I want and just haven't found THE ONE yet.
I don't do a spreadsheet, but I just keep two written lists: one of things I "need" that I will definitely get and a list of things I want that I probably won't get. The second list consists of practical things that I could get, but then I wouldn't have any money for spring shopping. I try to think a season ahead in terms of my budget.