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2024 Planned Acquisitions - $637

2024 Budget and Wardrobe Update

I'm planning to stick to a budget of around $500 for 2024. I’m getting better at managing my expenses and am on track to hit $740 for 2023.

Planned Items

Most of my budget will be allocated towards clothes and shoes:

Shoes - $141

  • Air Jordan 1 Low (Size 10.5M) - $86 - Purchased
  • Stan Smith White/Green (Size 10M) - $55 - Purchased

Clothes - $216

  • Bomber Jacket - $200 - Skip for 2025
  • Polo Letterman Navy - $160 - Purchased
  • Levi Denim Jacket - $36 - Purchased
  • Uniqlo T-Shirts (3x) - $50 - Purchased
  • Blue Jeans - $50 - Skip for 2025

Watches - $40

  • Casio A168WG - $40 - Purchased

Tech - $240

  • iPhone 16 - $200 - Purchased
  • Anker 10k Power Bank - $40 - Purchased

Total Spending

So far, I've spent a total of $637.  I may increase my budget to $800 if I need to replace additional clothing items, but I don't anticipate needing much more.

Future Considerations

The only unknown factor is whether I will upgrade to the iPhone 16, depending on how it compares to my 14 Pro. I'm leaning towards standardizing to USB Type-C.

Future Budgets - $300

As I near the completion of my wardrobe and finish upgrading to higher-quality items, I can slow down my purchases to mainly replacements. I’ll consider allocating $175 for clothing essentials and $125 for new shoes each year.

If not for the $200 Bomber Jacket, I would have met the $300 threshold.

Jacket Trifecta

I plan to buy three nice jackets over the next few years, and I’ve settled on the following:

  • Alpha Industries MA1 Bomber (Sage Green) - $200
  • North Face Winter Jacket - $173 - Purchased in 2023
  • Levi Trucker Jacket (Blue) - $36 - Purchased in 2024

I’m also considering a Varsity Jacket with leather sleeves but am uncertain about the washing process. I may opt for a fleece Varsity jacket instead.

Updates

  • 1/20/24: I picked up a Polo Letterman Varsity Jacket during a 25% sale for $160. I was initially looking for a Bomber jacket, but the Letterman jacket met many of my criteria and was a limited-time offer.

  • 2/27/24: I decided to purchase a Casio A168WG Gold for $40. I’m enjoying the silver version and might explore other Casio digital models, such as the classic calculator model, AE1200 world time, and A100 Ripley watch.

  • 4/29/24: The Anker 10k Power Bank was worth the investment. Standardizing to a quality brand like Anker means enjoying fewer items, but they last longer, potentially saving money in the long run.

  • 5/16/24: I bought the AJ1 Low for $86, size 10.5M. This is the right size for me, allowing me to replace older pairs that were 9.5M. I now have two pairs of 10.5M to rotate with my Air Force 1 size 10.

    I also picked up several Uniqlo shirts while in NYC.

  • 9/17/24: I changed my mind and got the Stan Smith Kelly Green in size 10M (45 EU) to see if they fit well, anticipating a future pair of Common Projects. I also needed a slimmer-profile white shoe since the AF1 is a bit too chunky.

  • 9/25/24: I decided to upgrade to the iPhone 16. The lighter weight (6 oz vs. 7 oz for the 14 Pro), slimmer design, and matte finish make it easier to hold and carry. The switch to Type-C is also a nice upgrade. It's an incremental change, and I now prefer a slimmer base model over a heavier Pro variant.

  • 10/21/24: I grabbed the Levi Denim Jacket on sale for $36. It's perfect for pairing with my khaki and black pants and shorts. This utility jacket is casual and comfortable, making it ideal for daily wear without risking damage to my Letterman jacket. I’m very pleased with it!

Now, I’m at a total of $637 for the year.





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