Can you afford the bags you carry???

[doreenjoy]

Originally Posted by SuzeeRenee

I just found this thread, very interesting so far. I have not read through the whole thing yet. From what I've read so far: I am a college student. I've saved for the couple bags that I have and I know that, most likely, I will never be wealthy. I don't mind this. I am happy being at a comfortable middle class area. I find it condescending when someone says that no matter how much you have saved, how solid one's overall financial situation is etc, if you're only making X amount of money, you shouldn't buy a bag worth X amount. By deciding what level of income should spend a certain amount of money on a bag no matter how much one has saved, because it looks foolish to have something that expensive is a classist perspective. It implies that only wealthy people can truly carry an expensive item in a sincere manner. If someone who is not well- off has an expensive bag, they are just pretending to be rich. But someone who is wealthy just really likes the bag. (Not the best wording, but I think this makes sense) Sorry if this is inflammatory, have just always disliked the attitude that only rich people deserve certain things ...

I agree that this attitude is condescending. I know plenty of people who scrimp on what others consider "more important" than bags in order to afford nice bags. I'd rather have a BV than a flat screen TV, or even cable for that matter. My TV is 8 years old and I don't watch it much.

I'd only add the caveat that if food and other essentials are suffering, or if a person has a lot of debt because of handbag purchases, then the person can't afford it. You have to figure out how expensive purchases fit into your lifestyle.

[ami kio]

Originally Posted by doreenjoy

I agree that this attitude is condescending. I know plenty of people who scrimp on what others consider "more important" than bags in order to afford nice bags. I'd rather have a BV than a flat screen TV, or even cable for that matter. My TV is 8 years old and I don't watch it much. I'd only add the caveat that if food and other essentials are suffering, or if a person has a lot of debt because of handbag purchases, then the person can't afford it. You have to figure out how expensive purchases fit into your lifestyle.

Agreed.

I'm also of the opinion that if you have to go into debt at all to get the bag, you can't afford it.* IMO, it doesn't matter whether you can pay off the debt in only a couple of months: handbags are not worth going into debt for. Medical emergency costs? Of course! Home repairs? If it's something that will get worse, go ahead and get it done now. But bags?

The only 3 times that I have willingly gone into debt were for my college education, when we bought our house, and when I bought my car.

*ETA: Note that I specifically mean at that point in time. If you save up for a couple more months and completely pay for the bag w/o any debt, then yes, you can afford it.

[pquiles]

^^^ You know .... You're right. It's really all relative where you choose to spend your money. I refuse to spend 2 grand on some rims/wheels for my vehicle, I don't own a DVD player (yet) I want Blu Ray... waiting for prices to lower, I don't have fancy expensive patio set, I don't have Bose stereo surround sound system (but I want it), I don't have more than 1 TV (will get another 1 in a year---maybe).

But; I do have handbags and shoes that I love and like and I wear. I know I can't afford everything that I like or would love to own, however, I can and did afford those that I have. What isn't being worn...I'm selling so I can save up for a water purification system (hard water where I live) and 1-2 handbags & or shoes.

[cheermom09]

I've just started buying expensive bags because I can now afford it. I've always been a lover of purses and switch them out frequently. But, I always spent less than $50 on them. I now only have 2 expensive bags and don't switch them out as often.

For me, I consider "being able to afford them" to mean I can buy a bag and pay for it at the time of purchase without feeling badly and without having to give up anything else because I've spent the money. I don't look at it as what I could have/should have bought with that money. I have money for those things, and I have money for bags.

[tater_tits]

i am 21 years and still a college student so OF COURSE i can't afford them YET, if you compare the price of my bag to my annual income. BUT i make sacrifices in order to get them. i allocate my money =) but yea...i feel SUPER guilty when i buy a new bag. the first year that i started buying high-end bags i went CRAZY and bought 4! but i haven't bought one in OVER a year, and i am saving up for the TREVI GM or BOETIE MM! kinda went off-topic there, but....no i guess i can't afford them but I GOTTA HAVE EM! and I WILL eventually be able to once i graduate!

[NIUiceprincess]

I think it just shows that even us middle class people can appreciate true high quality items that will last and will be carried forever :) i think if you work hard, have paid all your bills, current on your mortgage/rent and your kids are taken care of, you can splurge here and there within reason.

the "fanciest" bag per se that I own is a LV monogram pochette that I paid retail for. I do have this Chloe bag I think it retailed for $440 or something but I got it on Labor Day sale at Macy's for a good price so I won't count that...

I dont' even have an LV speedy, although I hope to own one someday. Technically hubby and i can afford it since we have adequate savings and have no bills except mortage and a small student loan bill (mine! his have been paid off, i'm so jealous) and both of us work. but we have other priorities at this point. i always say i'll get it next year (since i really want one) and of course the price keeps increasing while I'm waiting LOL. But if you have it, go for it. Although I know some people personally who REALLY shouldn't be buying fancy watches like $2k Omega watches or fancy LVs because I know for a fact they are up to their eyeballs in debt. I only know this coz they told me themselves. Also one of them had the audacity to ask me if I had a Macy's credit card...I was like yah, why? And she was like, "Oh i want to get this wallet I was wondering if you can charge it and ill pay you back?" yeah and there was a reason Macy's didn't approve you for a card there now right?

I think it is way silly to carry a $1000 bag and then you barely can afford a tank of gas or pay for your cellphone bill!

[Happy Luppy]

Honestly, no 'cause i'm still a student, all of my bags are financed by my wonderful parents. But the bags are not bought on whims, i have to EARN it by scoring good grades and technically being a good daughter to them, haha.

[pquiles]

Originally Posted by NIUiceprincess

I think it just shows that even us middle class people can appreciate true high quality items that will last and will be carried forever :) i think if you work hard, have paid all your bills, current on your mortgage/rent and your kids are taken care of, you can splurge here and there within reason. the "fanciest" bag per se that I own is a LV monogram pochette that I paid retail for. I do have this Chloe bag I think it retailed for $440 or something but I got it on Labor Day sale at Macy's for a good price so I won't count that... I dont' even have an LV speedy, although I hope to own one someday. Technically hubby and i can afford it since we have adequate savings and have no bills except mortage and a small student loan bill (mine! his have been paid off, i'm so jealous) and both of us work. but we have other priorities at this point. i always say i'll get it next year (since i really want one) and of course the price keeps increasing while I'm waiting LOL. But if you have it, go for it. Although I know some people personally who REALLY shouldn't be buying fancy watches like $2k Omega watches or fancy LVs because I know for a fact they are up to their eyeballs in debt. I only know this coz they told me themselves. Also one of them had the audacity to ask me if I had a Macy's credit card...I was like yah, why? And she was like, "Oh i want to get this wallet I was wondering if you can charge it and ill pay you back?" yeah and there was a reason Macy's didn't approve you for a card there now right? I think it is way silly to carry a $1000 bag and then you barely can afford a tank of gas or pay for your cellphone bill!

^^^ Makes sense

[trisha48228]

Pquiles, you make a good point. Someone recently asked me to charge a purchase for them because they didn't have the cash or credit and I did it. It was a delay in her repaying me and we are barely on speaking terms because of it. You are so right when you say, that's why your friend was denied a Macy's card. It took for that to event to happen to me before I realized, It's a reason why she doesn't have the cash or credit for her purchase. It will never happen again...........