Most women would rather be out of money than out of fashion.

This may be true, but I believe there is a way to combine finance with compulsive shopping. For example, make an excel spreadsheet of everything you want to buy!

This is seriously what I do, I refrain from buying anything until the description of this item and the price has been entered into an excel spreadsheet and has been properly evaluated. This will not only ensure that I do not make impulsive purchases, but also that I buy everything I want at the sale price.

First, I start with a wish list, which is just a "favorites" folder of various links to clothes, shoes, bags and accessories that I think I love. I do not censor myself on this, price and wearibility has no bearing on an item's addition to my wish list. I review every item each day sometimes several times a day to determine if I still like the item as much as I did when I first laid eyes on it. Sometimes I change my mind and delete the link from the folder and mentally remove it from my memory.

When I am fairly certain that I still want this item, I then place it on the "need to buy" excel spread sheet with the current listed price. Each item must be organized into a ranking, based on the following 1- how soon the item will sell out 2- the chance of the price decreasing in the next 60 days 3- How soon I can actually wear the item and 4- What is my heart telling me?

Next, I plan my expenses over the next few months in order to fit in the purchase of these items. I can about 8-10 hours a week working on this.

I am only this systematic and tedious over certain aspects of my life, which in turn exhausts me for everything else I need to do. However, I find that this practice is highly effective and even if it was not, I am unable to stop.

Once in awhile, ESPECIALLY when I am in NYC , I see something so fabulous that I cannot hold out for the spreadsheet process. If I try to, I wont be able to think or concentrate on anything else. In these rare circumstances, I do make the purchase and then must spend several hours re-caluculating and evaluating my excel spreadsheet. I am currently working on my MBA in finance so I can certainly use the practice in excel

so, what are some things that are on my current "to buy" excel spreadsheet? I will not give the links because additional exposure to these items will affect my "how soon the item will sell out" ranking.

Nightcap Clothing, twisted Marine dress:

I know I will be going on some vacations in 2011 and I picture myself in this dress. It will be selling out soon and is already 50% off so I will probably order it in the next few hours from now

Diane Von Furstenberg Chain Sweater:

This has been high on the list because it spoke to my heart when I tried it on at the Soho Bloomingdales, but is now 50% off as of a few days ago, so it shot up in the rankings. I always read the reviews (even If tried on the item in person at the store) and this sweater got some bad reviews before it went on sale. I found it strange that someone who paid $645.00 for a sweater would complain about the practicality of the chains. Isn't spending that much on a sweater slightly impracticle? and that's coming from me!

Tibi Chantilly cap sleve dress. This is an amazing dress that I can wear anywhere and everywhere


Tibi Long Nile Dress:

I have a feeling that this dress may be one that other people wont get, but that is never really a concern of mine. My mom and I are planning to go to Greece this summer and that is an ideal location for this dress. It is more Grecian to me than Egyptian but I guess it could go either way.

Steve Madden Blush Pump:

I have been looking for a nude color heel, and this Steve Madden pair is the best I have seen and trust me I have looked at every single nude color heel on the internet. Purchasing soon, I thought they would go on sale but for only 89.00 why wait? makes no sense

Mackage Fingerless Opal Gloves:

Very Gossip Girl, Mackage is my new obssesion they just opened a store in Soho and I basically want every Mackage item that exists. These are without a doubt the best fingerless gloves on the internet! Infact, if you are in the market for a new winter coat, go directly to Mackage.com. Dont worry about the price just follow your heart

However, speaking of leather gloves, I regret not buying a pair in Florence Italy, infact I will probably never buy a leather jacket or gloves again until I am back in Florence. The jacket I found there courtsey of my wonderful mother, feels like butter. You really havent felt or experienced leather unless it came straight from Italy.

Twilight Annie French Connection Dress

Wearability is definately a component of the ranking, and this dress is making on the "to buy" list strictly based on my heart's desire. I can find a place to wear anything, but although this looks like a winter wonderland type of dress, I cannot imagine what kind of tights I would wear with this. I think it is VERY Serena.

Midnight Stalks French Connection Dress:

Wearable, on Sale and has a bird print !! I am convinced that you cannot frown or be sad if you are wearing a glorious bird print

hmmm that's it for now.....