Are you a collector?
I’m not a collector per se. Nick knacks seem fussy to me and a lot of work to keep dust-free. Nothing or no one has inspired me enough to have a memorabilia collection. But I do have one tiny weakness.
Shoes.
I just love shoes and really could never have too many in my mind. It’s not that unusual in my experience. Many women have a fascination with shoes or some other accessory.
My sister loves purses while I use the same one day in and day out and never think of matching it to my outfit or occasion. (I do think she likes shoes too as she once took a suitcase with nothing but shoes in it on a cruise.)
Although shoes are a necessity, collecting shoes is a luxury and not cheap. In addition to the purchase price there is maintenance care and storage. So how does one balance footwear affection with frugal living?
Mr. Boomer had a shoe intervention with me one day. Although there wasn’t rehab in the end we did come up with a plan that’s worked for several years. It’s pretty simple.
Every new pair of shoes that comes in results in a pair going out (either to charity or the trash). Before taking anything to the register I mentally select which pair is going out. My husband appreciates it, my closet isn’t overloaded and I don’t exceed the shoe budget.
My inner Imelda Marcos is kept in check.
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{ 18 comments }
That’s a great strategy. One comes in, one goes out. When the closet starts to look too full, I start putting things in bags to donate. =)
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Thanks for stopping by my blog!
Your blog is adorable!
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My feet are extremely wide and it is difficult to find shoes that fit right. Sandal season makes me want to cry.
I use to carry one black purse until it fell to shreds and I had to get another. Not long ago I decided that I deserved more than that and purchased some nice bags in various shades. I didn’t go overboard and was very frugal with my purchases. However, there was one purse I saw and fell in love with. It was on sale but it was still more than I had ever paid for a bag. It was beautiful I had to have it. My husband did not understand. One of my co-workers saw the bag and gasped and said “I love that bag!” I told my husband about her reaction, thinking he might understand why I like this purse so much. It’s like artwork really, I compare it to Monet’s waterlillies. My husband said, “Hey we can sell it to her.” He just doesn’t get it.
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I am a self confessed shoe addict. But I stopped buying when I realized I don’t use much of the pair i bought. I just buy them bec theyre so sexy and pretty, but i end up wearing flats because they’re comfy. Truly there’s a little Imelda inside of every lady.
Stopping by from SITS, Happy Saturday Sharefest!
Hi Mhe-Lhanee, thanks for stopping by. I love high heels, but don’t wear them either!
Thats a great idea. And I love that picture! I’m guessing its a professional but if it actually is your closet, its a work of art!!
Double Wide Mom, it’s a photo by someone else (credit is at the bottom). I wish my closet was that organized!
How does one have a lot of shoes and be frugal? I simply wear them for years. I have shoes I bought 15 years ago for working out at the health club. They were demoted to walking at the track. Now they have been demoted to yard and garden work. Their next step is the trash.
Hi Daddy Paul, my love of shoes is definitely not the most frugal habit I have. However, I do have some shoes that are close to 10 years old. I do think women have more shoe options than men so will tend to have 2-3 pairs of each type.
I have the same arrangement! (I still find it hard to chose which ones go though!) Stopping by from SITS 🙂
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Your sister is a girl after my own heart. I love shoes and all, but seriously, handbags is where it’s at. You should come over to my blog and try to win my current giveaway, your sister will love you for it I swear!
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Thanks for the heads up; I entered your giveaway for her.
I love your blog! I’m intimidated by a lot of mom blogs because they’re just so perfect!
You got me at “Imelda”. She is an icon in Philippine history and being Filipina myself, I cannot help but read what you wrote about her. I am sure though, you are not as bad (she is reaaalllly bad). And after all, I think all women have that inner “Imelda”. I am not so much into shoes – maybe the frequent nos of my mom (she is frugal) while I was growing up did work after all. But I lust after travel and eating out. To each his own, I think. But I do love your strategy. There is something “green” and “good” about it. More power.
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Issa, my husband told me that it’s been so many years that many people wouldn’t get the reference. I’m glad to see there are still those that remember the infamous Imelda and her shoes.
I echo the sentiment that shoes cost less over time. Plus, it’s not like I’m spending hundreds of dollars per pair–If I spend over $50 it’s for a pair of boots (wide calves make finding a good fit difficult), most of my shoes are $20. And, because I have so many pairs (not quite in triple digits, but approaching) and wear most of them on a regular basis when in season, they all last longer and don’t wear out and need replacing 🙂 A new pair of heels for my favorite black boots cost $12 but replacing them would have been $80 or more.
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That’s a good point that you can get more life out of your shoes by repairing them. So, you may have a lot of shoes BUT they last many, many years.
The compromise you made with your husband makes complete sense. That is why I WILL not be sharing this with my husband. He’d be all over it! I really don’t think I’m THAT bad though. I mean you can’t just have one pair of black shoes. They need to come in various heel heights and materials to wear depending on the occasion, right? But compared to his 3 pairs I guess I do look a little insane.
That’s the problem! Men don’t own enough shoes. (Do you think we can sell it?)
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