We went to the mall this weekend to use some Old Navy gift cards from MyPoints. We went to see if they had a maternity section, and they did--a small one, but I still found a pair of pants and two sweaters, all on sale. It was $30.99 more than the gift cards, so I was going to take it out of my next week's spending money.
Then I thought we should probably look around and see if there were more deals since we hardly ever get out to the mall, so we went to a maternity clothing store. There were several good items on clearance or sale, and I also got a pair of pants at full price since there were no clearance pants in my size. I was trying to pare down the shirts to fit within this week's and next week's spending money, but NT and AS put a stop to that. They pointed out that the EF is called the "BABY-slash-emergency fund," and that I wouldn't be buying clothes right now if I didn't need them. (It's true; my wardrobe is shrinking weekly.)
I tried to fight it for awhile, but I didn't want to put any of the clothes back since they all fit so well (and all had room to grow too), and I didn't really want to be without spending money for the rest of the month either. So I caved and am going to take this out of the baby/emergency fund. I spent $146.92 at the second store, so $177.91 total. I got 10 pieces in total--3 sweaters, a business jacket, two pairs of slacks and several shirts--so they were all good deals. And that should carry me through a good deal of the pregnancy; as long as I don't repeat a top during the week at work, I feel normal. And I should say they're all really cute, so I'm going to be happy wearing them. 
It's amazing how hard it was to make that decision. I've got thousands of dollars in the bank, but unless it's specifically earmarked for something I just feel really weird spending it. Definitely not the me of three years ago.
Dipped into the baby/EF
October 5th, 2009 at 03:41 pm
October 5th, 2009 at 03:47 pm 1254757643
October 5th, 2009 at 03:48 pm 1254757726
Good for you!
October 5th, 2009 at 04:00 pm 1254758417
Think of it as investment, too. When you have your next child, you won't need to buy more maternity clothes (except for maybe more seasonally appropriate clothes). My oldest is now 11, and I have a few favorite items from her which I've used through five subsequent pregnancies.
October 5th, 2009 at 06:55 pm 1254768909
I bought everything for my pregnancy used except for one pieces which was a shirt from Kmart that I got as a anniversery gift from DH.
October 5th, 2009 at 07:11 pm 1254769895
CA, most of the thrift stores close by focus on trendy, younger styles. I didn't know Once Upon a Child had maternity, so I'll check online and see if they have a location on the bus line. I'm a little constrained by not having a car, but I love the idea of buying most things used (for the frugal and the environmental aspects!)--thanks for the tip.
October 5th, 2009 at 09:48 pm 1254779330
October 5th, 2009 at 10:02 pm 1254780144
October 5th, 2009 at 10:12 pm 1254780762
October 5th, 2009 at 11:55 pm 1254786912