Sneakerhead Resolutions: Setting Realistic Goals for the New Year

New Year, new kicks, new you, right? But hold on, aspiring sneakerhead. Before you empty your bank account on the latest hype sneakers, let’s step back and design a sneaker journey and BUDGET you can run with. Because a sustainable collection built on passion, not pressure, is the ultimate flex. 

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The Problem: Not Having a Budget

Budget? What budget? That’s the mantra of many aspiring sneakerheads, lured by the glossy Instagram feeds and curated collections. But the reality is, that without a plan, your sneaker passion can quickly become a financial nightmare. 

Impulse buys become a chronic condition, credit card statements become your worst enemy, and the joy of collecting gets overshadowed by the constant stress of keeping up. 

It’s time to break free from the cycle of hype and reclaim control of your sneaker journey, starting with the foundation of any healthy obsession: a realistic budget.

Creating a Realistic Budget

Forget YOLO, embrace having a BUDGET. Let’s face it, the “you only live once” mentality doesn’t exactly make for a sustainable sneaker game. Instead, imagine creating a budget that fuels your sneaker passion without setting your wallet on fire.

I have been budgeting for sneakers since I’ve started collecting and it has been so satisfying knowing that I am taking care of the most important things to me like retirement, savings, and investing while also being able to put a little bit of money aside for sneakers.

Here’s how I create a realistic budget for sneakers. First, I get a notebook where I can write down all of my income that I have coming in. Second, I write down all of my bills and expenses including retirement, savings, and investing. Next, I take my income and subtract all of my bills and expenses to see what I have left. If this amount is over $500, I usually will split it 3 ways; extra savings, extra debt payments, and fun for me. If this amount is below $500, I will split it 2 ways; extra debt payments and fun for me. Every month is different.

 

Strategies For Achieving Sneaker Goals

Conquering your sneaker goals isn’t just about wishful thinking, it’s about strategic planning.

First, do your research. I cannot stress this enough. At the beginning of the year, I research all of the sneakers I want to purchase for the year, I write down how much each one of them cost, and the potential release date. This allows me to see in advance how I can budget for the sneakers I want.

Second, set a realistic budget. Whether it is $50 a month or $500 a month, you want to set a realistic amount while still being able to take care of all of the other important expenses in your life too.

Third, set a goal. Are you only focusing on a certain style, completing a certain collection, or a mixture? This year, I’m focusing on variety. Yes, I love Jordan 1’s but I’m not copping every single Jordan 1 that drops. Instead, I’m only focusing on the Jordan 1’s I want, while leaving room in my budget to try other brands.

 

Remember, your sneaker collection is a reflection of you, not a status symbol. So let it tell your story, your passions, your unique place in the sneaker world. Because owning your sneaker obsession, not letting it own you, is the ultimate flex.