How do you afford your bags and how many per year? Credit debt or millionare lover?

[Greendrv]

I'm 27, and a computer programmer who is soon going to be promoted to a director level. I had to pay my own way through school, so I had to be pretty thrifty back then. Otherwise, I use my credit cards each month for monthly expenses (to gain rewards) and pay it all off at the end of each month. While my DF would love to buy me all the beautiful handbags in the world, he is still a poor graduate student, and since he's getting his Ph.D. in math, he won't likely be the breadwinner in our house. So I guess I'm the sugar momma: I get him all the gadgets, computer equipment, and computer/video games he wants! Plus food is our hobby, so I spend a lot on food and eating out. I spend way more on handbags than I do on clothes and shoes.

[KK]

Never have credit card debt, if I have no cash to pay for it, I'd never buy anything on credit. Credit cards are just for convenience. I've learned from a young age to live within my means ;op. Therefore, last year was my all time low of only one bag because I've not worked for 20 months now. Can't be lazy anymore, need to get back into the work force to earn my "bag" money...(shame).

[kathyrose]

I am very thrifty when it comes to stuff. I always go for the deals but sometimes, I just gotta suck it up. I buy my bags usually from BlueFly or eBay (triple check authenticity!). I bought a LV MC Speedy yesterday but BF is going to give me money for it so he actually bought it for me. It wasn't planned or anything so I paid for it yesterday.

I have no debt or loans. My parents paid half of my college tuition and I worked for the other half. I am 23 right now and working at a job I am unhappy at but it brings in ok money (I could've worked somewhere else and made more money but I'm not a US citizen so there's a lot of stuff I have to do and I don't drive). I don't drive so I take the bus and carpool sometimes so that saves me $$$. I do pay rent (which is a fairly high amount for my area), cable/internet, cellphone and electricity every month. The rest I have been saving up but I had to send a huge chunk to my parents in the Philippines last year. It hurt my pocket but I got over it in 2 seconds (I won't deny it did hurt for 2 seconds though, LOL). I've started buying designer bags the last quarter of the year last year and I haven't spent as much as I have sent my parents so I'm okay with buying whatever bag I want as long as it's a good deal or investment. My BF buys me a bag here and there as long as it's under $200 (except for this speedy). It's going up though but for the most part, I work for my bags. I haven't used a lot of them cause I have this tendency to "save" things (like too precious to use) but I'm okay with that.

[Eskimo]

hmm...i'm starting to think this may be marketing research as well. in fact, a lot of theartofacquisition's posts do.

[Everevereve]

I agree....this does sound like a marketing research.

[ShannonC1]

This is my first post, and it's the perfect topic too. I'm always curious how everyone affords their bags! I've only been buying high-end bags for a year now, and I've already developed a decent collection.

I'm 26, single, and work in IT. My salary has doubled in the past 2 years but my expenses have remained steady, so I do pretty well. I grew up middle class, so while I never wanted to for anything, I didn't always get want I want, KWIM? My dad would die if he knew how much my bags cost, and my mother just sighs and says 'it's your money.'

My rules are 1. never pay full price, 2. never buy anything that you wouldn't be willing to pay full price for if you had to, and 3. never buy anything that costs more than one entire paycheck. I broke the 'never pay full price rule' when I bought my Spy Bag, but I was honoring rule #2, so it's all good. :-) Otherwise I've been really good about sticking to my budget.

I am a bargain hunting, outlet-shopping, coupon code-weilding shopper, so I tend to get a lot of bang for my buck. Lately I've been buying more clothes than anything, but I got a Botkier Luxe Trigger today.

[jane]

What color Trigger did you get?? I ordered mine yesterday (pearl white) and hopefully it will arrive Wednesday. And yes, I got it for about 1/3 off retail.

[ShannonC1]

Originally Posted by jane

What color Trigger did you get?? I ordered mine yesterday (pearl white) and hopefully it will arrive Wednesday. And yes, I got it for about 1/3 off retail.

I got the Cardinal one. I've been looking for a big, funky red bag, and this leapt out at me. I got it 50% off at Active Endeavors here in Chicago. I love the pearl white, but I'm thinking I'll get an east-west satchel in the white.

[amanda]

Originally Posted by Eskimo

hmm...i'm starting to think this may be marketing research as well. in fact, a lot of theartofacquisition's posts do.

i tend to think the same thing.

just seems kinda odd, but hey, it provides conversation.

[wickedassin]

Originally Posted by Everevereve

I agree....this does sound like a marketing research.

My radar is going off too.... I'd rather have someone be up front about their intent.

[jane]

I am pretty sure I saw someone on the train this morning with a beautiful red Trigger bag. She had that thing STUFFED though. It definitely holds a lot!!

[Everevereve]

Originally Posted by wickedassin

My radar is going off too.... I'd rather have someone be up front about their intent.

Yes! Especially when everyone all honest and trusting.

[wickedassin]

Originally Posted by Everevereve

Yes! Especially when everyone all honest and trusting.

Going off b/c a number of the posts she starts are hypothetical questions, like:

1) How would you spend $2k?
2) What Spring 2006 Fendi Spy would you sell your soul for
3) URGENT - need advice on what bag to buy

But I think she mentioned previously that she has a degree in creative writing--so perhaps she's doing book research or something...

[Everevereve]

Originally Posted by wickedassin

Going off b/c a number of the posts she starts are hypothetical questions, like: 1) How would you spend $2k? 2) What Spring 2006 Fendi Spy would you sell your soul for 3) URGENT - need advice on what bag to buy But I think she mentioned previously that she has a degree in creative writing--so perhaps she's doing book research or something...

hahahaha she must a FENDI SPY! hehe

[TheArtofAcquisition]

Originally Posted by Eskimo

hmm...i'm starting to think this may be marketing research as well. in fact, a lot of theartofacquisition's posts do.

You seem to be so mistrustful. If you don't want to believe I am who I say I am I have no idea what to tell you, because no matter what I say you won't buy it. I'm sorry.