July 2025

I hate the summer, and all this made-up crap about “Summerween” isn’t changing my mind. Between the constant rain and the roofing repairs going on in our condo complex, I haven’t even been able to use our swimming pool. It’s bad enough to live in the darkest timeline, but do they have to take away my little treats, too? Ugh.

Money

True story: I spent a crazy amount in July. Some of this was planned, but most of it wasn’t. I had pledged not to buy any new clothes or fabric until July, and July arrived and brought a good bit of delayed acquisitiveness in its stead.

I spent $176.07 on sewing this month. This included my regular sewing subscription, two lengths of fabric (one bargain and one splurge), a handful of PDF sewing patterns, and a large order of notions from Wawak. Turns out it’s pretty easy to spend $68 on sewing notions if you don’t buy any for a really long time. Who knew?

I spent an eye-popping $292.76 on clothes and accessories. The majority of this ($171) was a planned cardigan purchase from Wool&. I also bought a bandana and a bunch of fancy hair accessories (thanks a lot, bad haircut). All of these items were my first non-secondhand clothing or accessories purchases of the entire year. (I definitely spent more than I meant to on hair things, but in my defense, this haircut is really bad. I also like fancy-ass hair things. 🙃)

I spent $141.32 on books and audiobooks, but that isn’t too outrageous for me. (And less than I just paid for a single cardigan.)

Aside from the usual categories, I purchased a writing workshop, a set of graphics for my October newsletter project, and the aforementioned very bad haircut.

Believe it or not, none of this spending was against my low-buy rules. I saved up for the cardigan, and only had a prohibition on new sewing patterns, fabric, and clothing through the end of June. However, I don’t want this close-to-impulsive spending to be my norm, either. I plan to revisit my low-buy rules and institute a few more “no new stuff” months.

Our grocery spending was… fine, I guess. High, but under the increased target. We did have an unexpected household expense when some bees built a nest on our balcony, but such is life.

Writing

I wrote my monthly short story, actually sent a newsletter, and even planned this year’s Spooky Season project.

Goals

I listed six goals for July. (Some of my 2025 goals will change from month to month, and some will remain the same.)

Writing
+ Write short story
+ Send newsletter

Done and done!

Household
+ Make cork toppers for nightstands
+ Try one new recipe

No new recipes, but I made the nightstand toppers. I just didn’t want to paint the nightstands and the raw wood tops were getting all discolored and stained.

Money
+ Complete four modules for certification training

I only got through two modules this month. I’ve been working through this training so slowly, but I just can’t seem to push myself any faster on this. (As the economy goes, it’s not a great time to start a new personal service business, anyway, to be honest.)

Personal
+ Sew one garment

I altered a recently purchased sundress, and hemmed a pair of linen pants I bought last year, but didn’t get my planned tank top finished. It’s cut out and a very fast project, so I may finish two things next month. (I also finished hemming the second linen bath sheet from a previous month’s goal.) So this one is an “almost but not quite” success.

Goals for August

Writing
+ Write short story
+ Send newsletter

Household
+ Replace bathroom faucet
+ Try two new recipes