The Origin of the Money Dress

I am a former financial literacy educator and certified credit counselor.

I absolutely love fashion and shopping.

I am a wife and mother to two beautiful babies under 3 years old.

I need to stop spending money.

You might be wondering why someone who educates and helps others with money needs to address her spending problem? You also might be wondering why I own a full length dress with money printed on it? Because I love talking about money, and also I need to remind myself I shouldn’t be spending it…at least not casually and not right now.

The day I bought this dress was the day before my life changed quite drastically. I was in New York for a work conference with my lovely, talented team of ladies at the Financial Empowerment Center. And in true money nerd fashion, a few of us were thrifting that evening.

$14 and no regrets later I owned quite possibly my favorite piece of clothing of all time. It was a little big, but nothing a bit of sewing couldn’t fix.

The next day I attended the conference in my hot pink business suit and favorite black and white booties, and on our way to the post conference reception, I fell down a flight of stairs.

Although I tried to brush it off, apparently it was as bad as it sounded to my co-workers. I used a cane for the remainder of the trip, a wheelchair at the airport (thank goodness).

When I returned to Pittsburgh I discovered that not only had I fractured my patella (broke my darn knee cap), but I was pregnant.

You know what can be difficult? Being pregnant. But nothing could have prepared me for being pregnant, having a toddler AND a broken knee at the same time.

I tried to make the combo AND my job as a financial empowerment counselor work for as long as I could, but found it quite impossible. I struggled with trying to give 100% to both my work and my family. I felt anxious, irritable, and like I was constantly failing.

Battling postpartum depression, I tried a hybrid of working remote, and going two days into an office a week. I tried therapy and Zoloft. I tried until another anxiety inducing doctor appointment for our unborn baby girl Mila sent me into a scary spiral. I talked with Matt (my husband) and looked at the numbers of our budget. We decided I would resign from my position and stay at home with the kids full time.

I want to make it clear here that this decision was made by us because it was best for OUR family. I do not believe that continuing working is the wrong choice or a bad decision, but for where we were at right now, it was best for us.

Sure enough, it was the right decision for us. Not long after I quit my daughter was born, she came 6 weeks early.

In June, my car officially died and I sold it because it wasn’t worth fixing. (Btw I used a site called Peddle and it was actually SO EASY).

In July, we had to get four new tires for our working car.

In August, my cats got sick and it cost $500 to take them in.

This month, our fridge broke. I lost $200 of food and waited about a week to get it fixed.

Luckily, we had emergency savings to cover many of these unexpected expenses. However, we did not have my continued income to replace it, or to cover the many costs that continue to increase. My spending habits and our budget are not aligned for success right now.

Luckily, I recognized the problem. It’s me, hi, I’m the problem IT’S ME!!! If you put me in a store or give me an unattended moment with my phone, I will find something to buy. I’m an impulsive, emotional shopper.

Having a bad day? Treat myself.

Having a good day? Treat myself.

Honestly just a day? Treat myself.

Oh and having kids, I’m not even treating myself, I’m buying THEM things under the guise of “well THEY need it” - even when they don’t.

My little treats make me feel good at the moment, but not when I look at my bank account.

The most annoying thing? I AM VERY AWARE I SHOULD NOT BE SHOPPING. So something needs to change.

Money Dress Mom is my way of using my skills and knowledge to hold myself accountable. Over the next few months I will be documenting my progress in the following areas:

Only spending on NEEDS, not WANTS

NOT BUYING MORE CLOTHES (or shoes, or home decor)

SAVING. Saving. and saving some more.

My money dress alter ego is not here to shame anyone or tell anyone to not spend money ever. In fact when I was counseling an important part was saving for goals and ensuring the savings was USED. I am also not perfect. I will have spiral spending days (I’ll explain later). I’ll break my spending challenges. I will say f*** it and have another. But it all starts with a conversation, an attempt to do better.

I want this blog to serve as my creative outlet. I want it to be a safe space for anyone and everyone to talk about money in a KIND, NON-JUDGMENTAL way. And most importantly, I want to continue spreading the good word that it is OK to talk about money. Financial literacy should be accessible to all, and it should be FUN. LET’S DO THIS! :)