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2022 to 2026 - Planned Acquisitions - Review and 2026 Plan - $555

2026 Wardrobe and Reflections on my 5-Year Spending Patterns

As 2025 comes to a close, I’m focusing on refining my wardrobe and budget for 2026. Over the past few years, I’ve built a system that prioritizes intentional purchases, high-value basics, and long-term wear. This year is about thoughtful upgrades, smart replacements, and sticking with what works.

What surprised me was how much I spend on clothing & shoes.  For past 5 years its constituted almost ~70% of my total expenditures.  In comparison, I spend very little on hobbies and technology.  But this makes sense as I've been investing in more expensive but quality clothing items.

Funding Source

I budget myself $60 a week in discretionary spending for annual $3,120 personal allowance.  About 1/3 dedicated to these planned purchases and rest for meals, drinks and incidentals.  As I've not seen a major increase in spending, I've not seen a need to increase this any further.

2026 Budget Overview

  • Clothing Updates: $335
    • 2 Ralph Lauren Polo Shirts (Navy, White): $150
    • 1 Ralph Lauren Sweater - Quarter Zip (Cream): $80
    • 1 Ralph Lauren Sweater - Cable Knit (Cream): $75
    • 1 Adidas Track Jacket - Blue: $30
  • Footwear Refresh: $100
    • Adidas Stan Smith: $50
    • New Balance 515 Navy 10M: $ 50
  • Everyday Basics: $90
    • Uniqlo T-Shirts (2): $40
    • Levi 511 - Blue Jeans (1): $30
    • Shorts (1): $20
  • Accessories: $30
    • NY and LA fitted caps (black): $30

Total: $555

2026 Tech & Hobbies

I don’t really need anything in 2026. Both of my laptops — a 2014 i3 running Linux and a 2016 i7 with Windows 11 — are still going strong. I already have multiples of everything else, from iPhones and AirPods to watches, and all of them have shown impressive durability, lasting me for years without any issues.

Annual Spending Analysis - 2022 ~ 2026

  • 2022 -- $1,245
  • 2023 -- $740
  • 2024 -- $637
  • 2025 -- $1,461
  • 2026 -- $555
  • 5-Year Total -- $ 4,638
  • 5-Year Average -- $ 928
While I planned to increase spending to align with the 5-year average of ~$1,000, I don't want to force myself to buy more than I need and will defer to future years or possibly allow my average to decline.  This allows me to pick up more higher quality items and cycle out older lower quality ones from my wardrobe.

I also anticipate prices will be increasing and better to stock up sooner rather than later.
 
Notably, about $800 was for surprisingly 3 iPhones (14 Pro, 16 and Air) in this time frame indicating opportunity to reduce spending as honestly an iPhone can last at least 4 years, but I think I've found what I'm seeking in the Air and will retain that for 4 years before upgrading again in 2029-2030.

Spending by Category

Bulk of my spending for past 5 years has been on clothing and shoes.  I actually don't spend as much as I thought on my hobbies, tech and other things.


Year Clothes Shoes Tech Watches Hobbies/Misc Year Total
 2022  $ 523  $ 110  $ 225  $ 329  $ 58  $ 1,245
 2023  $ 323  $ 311  $ 106  $ 740
 2024  $ 216  $ 141  $ 240  $ 40  $ 637
 2025  $ 946  $ 115  $ 400  $ 1,461
 2026  $ 455  $ 100  $ 595
 TOTAL  $ 2,463  $ 777  $ 971  $ 369  $ 58  $ 4,638
 % of Total  53%  17%  21%  8%  1%




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