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How much does your wife spend on clothes?

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Posted by: Spakoyna

LOL! Seems the only problem my wife and I have is her desire to spend every dollar she can get ahold of on clothes. LOL! I am on the otherside of the fence. I have spent more on clothes for my wife in the last 4 years than I am certain I have and others have(gifts, parents when under their roost,etc). I don't think other opinions will sway my thinking but I would luv to know others experiences and solutions if their is one!



Posted by: BluesTraveler

Just on the wild idea here. This could be sign of a more serious problem. Some people are addicted to shopping, some people are compulsive hoarders, possibly low self esteem ~ resulting in a desire to have the latest fashions, and some are just fiscally irresponsible. I would wonder what is going on with your S.O. that she is constantly buying clothing. Or maybe it is just your perception of the issue.
Is she buying casual clothes or clothing for work?

I would think that 5 to 6 outfits per year is not unreasonable. $1000 - $1500 per year should be the limits ~ not excluding extra ordinary items --> winter jacket for example.

Conversation about a clothing budget is in order. Ask her what she thinks is reasonable amount of money per year, and make her stick to the agreement. My $0.02 but what do I know?



Posted by: AkMike

I notice that there are fresh duds every now and then but they're always on sale if and when she gets something. LOL, she normally asks first,usually calling me when she's in the check out line.



Posted by: sidney

Mine loves to shop and when the closet can't contain it then it's time to stop. She came with little more then what was on her back. I worked with a woman that grew up poor with no shoes as a child. She works at a good manufacturing job and has the resourses to get most anything she wants. She has closets full of shoes many that were and will never be worn. She still feels a need to buy more when out shopping. May be the case with many from the poorer parts of the FSU.
Sid



Posted by: blucatz

Quote:
Originally Posted by AkMike
I notice that there are fresh duds every now and then but they're always on sale if and when she gets something. LOL, she normally asks first,usually calling me when she's in the check out line.

At least she's calling from the check out line and not from the driveway as she is pulling in...LOL.



Posted by: cemab4y

Wife bought a $1000 jacket. pissed me off.



Posted by: blucatz

Quote:
Originally Posted by cemab4y
Wife bought a $1000 jacket. pissed me off.

$1000 for a jacket? Did it have gold in the thread or what?



Posted by: Seaview

Quote:
Originally Posted by blucatz
$1000 for a jacket? Did it have gold in the thread or what?


Oh, those Russians They love designers' clothes.

BTW, an average price for a designer's bag is about 1000 $

Are you still sure you want to marry a Russian girl?



Posted by: AkMike

Teach her about brand knock offs and the sales tables as soon as she hits the shores!



Posted by: Spakoyna

Quote:
Originally Posted by blucatz
$1000 for a jacket? Did it have gold in the thread or what?


LOL! Now that makes me feel a little better! But I assure you if mine had a way she would!



Posted by: Spakoyna

Quote:
Originally Posted by Seaview
Oh, those Russians They love designers' clothes.

BTW, an average price for a designer's bag is about 1000 $

Are you still sure you want to marry a Russian girl?


Seaview, I must say I am shocked at this clothes thing! Sure there are American women that go overboard with clothes. The clothes issue wasn't too bad until we started mixing with other RW. I have never been 1 to keep up with the Jones's and this pissing contest about who has the best clothes is working on being a deal breaker.

I am not a millionaire but I am not poor as well. I have put myself in a secure position where I don't have to work my ass off and worry about my future. I put myself in this position by being wise about the money I spend. My wife sees we have money in the bank and her arguement when I disagree about buying clothes is this is no problem for you! IE you have plenty of money in the bank.

I am like the poor cat surrounded by barking dogs. She attacks every penny I spend and relates it to her arguement about buying clothes. The cigs I smoke, the beer I drink....anything she doesn't do! If I bring up here makeup and facial cremes, etc I get slammed!

My wife is the 1st person I have ever known that starts asking for presents for the usual occasions(Birthday,Christmas,Valantines Dat, Anniversarry,etc) before they arrive! Don't get me wrong...I haven't missed a beat! This action makes want to say to H*** with it and not buy a present!

I hate to say it but my wife is like a spoiled kid. She will say whatever it takes to win her arguement to buy clothes.

MY BIG QUESTION TO YOU FOR MYSELF AND ALL OTHERS HERE IS ARE ALL RW THIS WAY????



Posted by: Spakoyna

Quote:
Originally Posted by BluesTraveler
Just on the wild idea here. This could be sign of a more serious problem. Some people are addicted to shopping, some people are compulsive hoarders, possibly low self esteem ~ resulting in a desire to have the latest fashions, and some are just fiscally irresponsible. I would wonder what is going on with your S.O. that she is constantly buying clothing. Or maybe it is just your perception of the issue.
Is she buying casual clothes or clothing for work?

I would think that 5 to 6 outfits per year is not unreasonable. $1000 - $1500 per year should be the limits ~ not excluding extra ordinary items --> winter jacket for example.

Conversation about a clothing budget is in order. Ask her what she thinks is reasonable amount of money per year, and make her stick to the agreement. My $0.02 but what do I know?


Yeah...sometimes I start to think it is an obsession but maybe not. Funny you say a conversation is in order! It's becoming a regular thing. After our 1st year I wanted to end all this crap! I asked her how much do you need each month to maintain your wardrobe!(I dropped several K on her clothes when she arrived) She set a price and I agreed. Well.....that worked for a few months. Keep in mind if a ladies weight changes a few pounds none of her clothes fit! The she has to give them all away and start all over! LOL I told her if she puts the weight back on she will just have to do without!

If you want an average maintaince amount I can't be for sure....always nickel and diming me...but give or take $2500 a year. Add to that a few nice jewelry gifts,etc...Ya see where I am going!

I understood when we were together in Russia as she didn't have many clothes. We battled there because of the cost compared to here.

Guys!!! Take notice! I know I am not by myself!



Posted by: Jerico

Quote:
Wife bought a $1000 jacket. pissed me off.

I bet it looks good on her , lol.

Ya Russian women like their fashion.

My wife has 500 dollar pants, roberto cavalli
400 dollar purses. gucci, prada,coach
High dollar shoes , roberto cavalli.
Hell I didn`t even know who Roberto Cavalli was until I met my wife.(Italian designer for those who dont know)

I have bought some of her shoes and a few 180 dollar pants but she usually buys all her own stuff with her money.
Of course i pay all the bills so she can afford to, Hehhe.


She is all about fashion like many Russian women.
Have to say she looks good in those jeans though and shoes.

Quote:
She attacks every penny I spend and relates it to her arguement about buying clothes. The cigs I smoke, the beer I drink....anything she doesn't do!


My wife is exactly the same!!!!
I drop 300 dollars in a casino she says " you could of bought me some pants"
However when I am winning money at the craps table she carefully takes all the 25 dollar chips away and puts them into her pocket for safe keeping!!



Posted by: swindoom

Quote:
Originally Posted by Spakoyna
MY BIG QUESTION TO YOU FOR MYSELF AND ALL OTHERS HERE IS ARE ALL RW THIS WAY????


No they are not, all the FSU women I know, including my better half, are totally the opposite, they love going to the lower priced clothes shops and £1 pound stores, places where I had never been before. Their mentality seems to be "why buy one dress for $100 when you can by 10 dresses". She could spend a lot if she wanted to as we have a joint account and she has full access to all the money.



Posted by: deccie

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jerico

However when I am winning money at the craps table she carefully takes all the 25 dollar chips away and puts them into her pocket for safe keeping!!


I can relate to this one. When I buy something, whatever it is the change miraculously makes it into her purse for "safe keeping". Somehow I never see any of it ever again though!



Posted by: deccie

Quote:
Originally Posted by Spakoyna
Yeah...sometimes I start to think it is an obsession but maybe not. Funny you say a conversation is in order! It's becoming a regular thing. After our 1st year I wanted to end all this crap! I asked her how much do you need each month to maintain your wardrobe!(I dropped several K on her clothes when she arrived) She set a price and I agreed. Well.....that worked for a few months. Keep in mind if a ladies weight changes a few pounds none of her clothes fit! The she has to give them all away and start all over! LOL I told her if she puts the weight back on she will just have to do without!

If you want an average maintaince amount I can't be for sure....always nickel and diming me...but give or take $2500 a year. Add to that a few nice jewelry gifts,etc...Ya see where I am going!

I understood when we were together in Russia as she didn't have many clothes. We battled there because of the cost compared to here.

Guys!!! Take notice! I know I am not by myself!


I can relate to a lot of what you are saying Spanky.
For me it more goes along like this..

1. We discuss a plan of either to do something we want to do together or get somethign she needs.

2. We decide to do or buy something else instead.

3. Later she reminds me "You promised we would do xyz (option1) together!" While conveniently forgetting we DID do option 2 instead.

MOST annoying.



Posted by: BluesTraveler

Spakoyna:
Totally understand about the keeping up with the neighbors / other RW. There is an issue here. She is missing something from her life.

Does she work? Maybe an agreement can be made as to her paycheck is for her and she can do as she wishes. And you will take care of the household expenses. Money issues are the number one cause of problems in all relationships around the world.

I am getting the impression you are getting frustrated and you not sure how to compromise with her, especially if both parties feel the other is being unreasonable.

A typical thought I have come across from people from the FSU, is lack of retirement savings. The concept is not as ingrained into their culture as it is in Western cultures. A good percentage of people living in Western cultures are living & saving money till the day they can retire. 401k's, mutual funds, etc...we work so we can retire. Where in the FSU they work so they can eat. It is a different mindset. Mortality rates could be a major factor in this idea. Also for a long time, many people were promised that when they retire, the state will take care of them. In the US I don't think we ever bought into that concept. And how many people today really think they will be able to survive on social security and medicare?

So your wife commenting that you have plenty of money in the bank, and feels she can go ahead and spend is a normal thought process. Really it is. She is not worried about retirement, and not having to work until the day she dies. Many forums FSU women will be commenting they think their husbands are greedy. And I wouldn't be surprised if you wife is thinking this right about now. But I do think it stems back to the lack of saving for retirement that Westerners seem to follow.

I am not saying that people from the FSU don't know how to save, and plan for the future. It just seems that when they are saving money for the future their horizon is a couple of months or maybe a year in the future; not 30 or 40 years in the future.

If it was me, I would create an annual budget. Show her exactly where every 0.01 is going. This much to taxes, electricity, mortgage, heat, insurance, car registrations, etc. And show the pool of money left at the end. Then put in the variable expenses, like dining out, entertainment, vacations, clothing, etc. And keep asking her how much she thinks you should spend on the variable expenses. Keep getting her opinion. Open, honest dialog will help her realize you don't have a money tree. If she is part of the decision process, then she will be more cognizant of the limits on spending. When she brings up any extra money, first response should be that you want to retire and not have to work. And you are trying to save for the future.

Just my thoughts. But hey what do I know?



Posted by: freebird

Quote:
Originally Posted by Seaview
Oh, those Russians They love designers' clothes.

BTW, an average price for a designer's bag is about 1000 $

Are you still sure you want to marry a Russian girl?


And what is the average price for a jacket? {As a RW what would you spend on one?}



Posted by: TheWongs

Quote:
Originally Posted by swindoom
No they are not, all the FSU women I know, including my better half, are totally the opposite, they love going to the lower priced clothes shops and £1 pound stores, places where I had never been before. Their mentality seems to be "why buy one dress for $100 when you can by 10 dresses".


Same here! Larisa and my friends wife went shopping in Manchester one day. I gave Larisa £40 to spend and my friends wife said "if she needs more, I'll give it to her". They were away for 9 hours! When they returned, Larisa had a new dress, new house shoes and a T-shirt for me. She had spent a total of £14 ($25-ish)! £10 for the dress (not much material ) £2 for the house shoes and £2 for my T-shirt. I was very impressed!

One day, I took her shopping for a handbag. She got exactly what she wanted and it cost £20. I thought she would want something that cost more, but she said "the others were too expensive honey"! The down-side... Shopping for a handbag took 6 hours!!!!!

Anyway... Larisa is VERY careful with money. I think it's built in. She has never been able to spend a lot of money, so is careful with every penny. I love this woman!!!



Posted by: sidney

She sounds like a keeper.
Sid



Posted by: TheWongs

Quote:
Originally Posted by sidney
She sounds like a keeper.
Sid


Yes she is! But next time, she needs to shop for a handbag on her own!



Posted by: BluesTraveler

Best story about a Russian woman going shopping is...
Even if she sees the perfect pair of shoes in the first store she goes too, she must go to all the other stores and look at all the other shoes. And then she will come back to the 1st store and buy the shoes.

Will very carefully select what they will buy since they know they can not return the item to the store and don't want to waste money. We should all be so pragmatic.



Posted by: blucatz

I will definately have to find a shopping buddy for my lady if they like to spend that much time in the stores. Me, I'm in, get it, and get the heck out.



Posted by: Spakoyna

Quote:
Originally Posted by blucatz
I will definately have to find a shopping buddy for my lady if they like to spend that much time in the stores. Me, I'm in, get it, and get the heck out.


LOL! My wife goes to the mall to relax! Hmmmm! She can spend hours! Luckily she has now found a couple of ladies to go shopping with!



Posted by: sidney

Quote:
Best story about a Russian woman going shopping is...

Quote:
Even if she sees the perfect pair of shoes in the first store she goes too, she must go to all the other stores and look at all the other shoes. And then she will come back to the 1st store and buy the shoes.

The problem was that when my wife went back they were gone. Of course I couldn't help but remind her that she shoulda bought when she had the opportunity.
Sid



Posted by: blucatz

Quote:
Originally Posted by Spakoyna
LOL! My wife goes to the mall to relax! Hmmmm! She can spend hours! Luckily she has now found a couple of ladies to go shopping with!

Good thing there are 3 big ass malls with in 30 min drive from here and a few Russian ladies I can hook her up with....as long as I dont' have to do it. Its funny though, I don't have a problem walking a car dealership lot for hours, but shopping malls just kill me...can't figure out why?



Posted by: deccie

Quote:
Originally Posted by BluesTraveler
Best story about a Russian woman going shopping is...
Even if she sees the perfect pair of shoes in the first store she goes too, she must go to all the other stores and look at all the other shoes. And then she will come back to the 1st store and buy the shoes.
.



Been there. Had that experience many times.



Posted by: Seaview

Quote:
Originally Posted by freebird
And what is the average price for a jacket? {As a RW what would you spend on one?}


There is no such thing like an average jacket. THat's the problem. There are fur jackets, suede jackets, tweed jackets, cashmere jackets , leather jackets and so on.

I would spend up to 10 000 roubles for a jacket made of woolen fabric. More than 10 000 would be expensive for me.

Cotton or mixed fabric jackets can be about 3000 - 5000 roubles. It's normal.



Posted by: GoingToRussia

That's probably Moscow price right? $400 for a wool coat and $200 for a cot/pol blend is probably about the same suggested retail price here.



Posted by: Seaview

Quote:
Originally Posted by GoingToRussia
That's probably Moscow price right? $400 for a wool coat and $200 for a cot/pol blend is probably about the same suggested retail price here.



Yes. It's about average Moscow price.

Of course, it's possible to find something cheaper on sale or more expensive in posh places.



Posted by: TheWongs

From what I've seen, the price of luxury items in Russia and Ukraine is about the same as Europe, but the essential items are a lot cheaper.

I just asked Larisa to find the price of a mobile phone I'm buying here (LG KU990). I thought it would be a little cheaper in Ukraine with the added advantage of Russian language support... Nope! It is a lot more expensive in Ukraine than it is here!



Posted by: freebird

Quote:
Originally Posted by Seaview
There is no such thing like an average jacket. THat's the problem. There are fur jackets, suede jackets, tweed jackets, cashmere jackets , leather jackets and so on.

I would spend up to 10 000 roubles for a jacket made of woolen fabric. More than 10 000 would be expensive for me.

Cotton or mixed fabric jackets can be about 3000 - 5000 roubles. It's normal.


Is it 25 roubles to the US dollar now?



Posted by: sidney

Last summer my wife bargained a nice fur coat to $500 at Brighton beach. It was made in russia and probably less expensive then in russia. I'm not sure how they do that.
Sid



Posted by: disculmawsu

Quote:
Originally Posted by freebird
Is it 25 roubles to the US dollar now?

The rouble is about 25 roubles per US Dollar (actually hovering around 24.5 - 24.9 roubles per dollar).



Posted by: goforit

Quote:
Originally Posted by blucatz
I will definately have to find a shopping buddy for my lady if they like to spend that much time in the stores. Me, I'm in, get it, and get the heck out.


Yeah I'm good for about an hour then I get a headache, backache and various other aches and pains

On the other hand if I'm in a bookstore or wine shop.......



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