We ask working professionals how they spend their salary every month. As part of this series, we spoke to a young, working woman, who is addicted to shopping for clothes. The cost is incidental.

Name: Bulbul Hooda
Age: 23
What I do: I am a marketing executive with an international cosmetics company.
Where I live: Mumbai

WE belong to the generation of advertisements that scream, 'wear your attitude'. That seems to be Bulbul's mantra. She loves to shop. Be it formal apparel, ethnic wear, party clothes or cool casuals, they are all a part of her closet. "I am a compulsive shopper and I wouldn't give it up for anything in this world. I find shopping therapeutic," she says. Let's see where her money goes.

Basic expenses	Amount per month (INR)
Foot, commute	6,000
Stay	9,000
Clothes	10,000
Total	25,000

"Every month, I spend 90 per cent of my salary. A chunk goes on clothes, the rest on entertainment, going out with friends and basic expenses," she says. But she also invests in mutual funds. "It wasn't a conscious decision. I met a chartered accountant who convinced me that my money would multiply if I invested in mutual funds. So, I thought why not? I have a life insurance policy, too," she adds. Here's a peek at Bulbul's wardrobe and the money that goes into it.

Looking professional
"I don't necessarily go for branded stuff. But I do like Allen Solly, Wills Lifestyle and Benetton at Lifestyle (the superstore) for formal wear. I like the designs and the fit these brands offer. Wills Lifestyle, especially, has interesting, unusual formal wear. It costs me around Rs 3,000 for a formal outfit, " she says.

Comfy casuals
Bulbul doesn't really buy off the road. "But I buy dungarees, strappy tops or skirts from expert reject stores such as Trendy, Meso, Mela and Cotton On, in Bandra (West, on Linking Road and Turner Road). I pay about Rs 1,000 for an outfit in these places. If you have the eye and patience, you can get a good loot here," she advises.

Party time!
"For party clothes, I head to small store called Barefoot in Bandra West. It has a wide variety and some unique designs. I spend almost Rs 5,000 on party clothes in places like this," she says.

Accessory basics
"I hardly spend on bags. I have three standard office bags: black, brown and beige. These colours go well with all my clothes. One is by Hidesign. The other by Mango and Ninewest," says Bulbul. "I have lots of shoes and sandals, but don't a shoe or bag fetish. Sandals I pick up in Delhi."

Smart shopping mantras

- Keep an eye out for 'unusual' stuff. "I also fo not shy away from new shops. I scan through their collection. If I like them, I come back. I make it a point to go shopping on weekends, to scope out new shops," she says.

- She pays either with cash or her Standard Chartered debit card, wherever it is accepted. Why not a credit card? "Credit cards? It will be a disaster! With my compulsion to buy, I would get nowhere with a credit card in hand," she says.

- The brand is not important as long as the outfit looks good and fits well.

- Buy at shops that sell export quality rejects. Also, do not shirk away from small shops. Some of the best pieces you own could well come from there.

Photograph: Scott Olson/Getty Images
(Photograph used for illustrative purposes only.)

What are your shopping mantras? Where do you shop? How much do you spend? What do you spend on? Share it with us, mentioning your name, age, profession and the city you reside in. We would love to hear from you!


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