2019 resolution - shopping my own bag and wallet collection. Any one else?

[LVintage_LVoe]

Wow, 15 pages already? I don't know how I'll be able to keep up. But I'm so happy for this thread. It has really grown through the years!

I've been MIA most of the time in the 2018 thread. My last post was in October I think and I was able to do some of the challenges but wasn't able to share it with you guys. Then MIA again in November. I'm now watching a replay of the recently concluded Miss Universe (so proud of our "kababayan" Catriona Gray for winning the crown!) and thought I would drop by.

Anyways, my resolution for 2019 is to not add anymore bags or SLGs unless I sell first (or not buy at all even if I made a sale). Bec. most of the time, what happens is that I will buy a bag and promise to sell one but it never really happens. Now, I want to really, really do this. I am quite satisfied with my current small collection.

Also, I've been watching minimalist videos for the past months because I want to get rid of clutter once and for all. I'm learning to be more intentional with my purchases not only with my bags but with other things. So that being said, when January comes and my kids go back to school, I will spend most of my free time decluttering rather than my usual bag/wallet stalking (and eventually, buying.) Lol! I will either sell, give a friend/close relative, or donate stuff. The money I will save from the sales will not fund a new bag but rather will go into a savings account, most probably my children's kiddie savings account. They're growing up too fast so I'm starting to teach them the value of saving money. I should set a good example then.[emoji6]

This is kinda long already. So, I might go MIA again and return back from time to time to report or do a challenge. I know I am always welcome here with my pocket friends, old and new.

Thanks again egg, for such a wonderful and successful thread.

 

[ipsum]

My wardrobe goals in 2019
a) NO shoes, clothes, accessories (unless 1 out, 1 in)
b) Keep downsizing my bag collection down to 10.
Categories:

• work bag: 2 bags
  • Ferragamo black satchel and maybe Garden Party in gold replacing my current Ferragamo brown shoulder bag
• gym and travel bag 2
  • gym bag and Neverfull
• evening bag 2
  • the black shiny one and white studded Burberry
• leisure bag 3
  • Burberry tan tote, CDC black tote or Francesco Biasia cream bag
• unallocated 2
  • Burberry canvas summer bag, Chanel in lamb

I currently have 20ish bags but the best I can do is 15ish. I’ll continue listing more bags for sale during the holidays. Maybe I can reach 10 in 2020 and apply “one in and one” out rule. I don't own those marked in orange but I'm considering adding them or something in equivalent style to make my collection more timeless.

 

[pdxhb]

Oh my, I am already behind!
I read along with the 2018 thread and it inspired me to pay attention to my thought process with purchasing/selling/selecting what to wear. I recently spent more than originally planned because a favorite brand is closing, so need to strategize if I want to add anything to my collection. Looking ahead I am also working with a reduced budget because I changed jobs. Will work on exactly what my resolution list is for 2019, but for the moment there is just this one:
Keep my closet organized and clean so that I can easily grab a bag without digging!
I managed to do a big clear-out over the last six months or so and re-organized based on a couple failed attempts. Now I have current season bags on lower cubbies where I can reach them. Also, I am coming to terms with how limited my space is/how much I do not want to be a hoarder. Not quite ready for a one in/one out commitment, but am getting close.

 

[SEWDimples]

In 2018, I got 3 vintage Coach bags, all under $25 each! And I love them! I also got a vintage BV too! Actually I bought 3 BVs this year. I think only one of them was a bargain. Wow, a BV for $25? That's amazing! I thought my cervo hobo was a deal at under $100.

Wow! You found some great BV deals. I love hobo bags abs I want to add a BV Hobo to my collection. Did you share pictures on tPF?

Never mind. I found your later post. Your BV finds are amazing. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Sparkletastic]

For those of you concerned that there thread “moves to fast” want to echo what @dcooney4 said. It’s always busy til around the 2nd week of January. Then it really slows down as people drop off. So don’t be overwhelmed. And, you’re welcome here no matter how often you check in or comment. (Though we’d love to talk with you!)

 

[Sparkletastic]

You should wear that bag more as a love it or leave it challenge. Its combo is hard to find and is the one you like. You always complain about not having ivory bag before you got it. Of course, there must be something such as you like other bags more, or you just don’t wear anything that require you to wear ivory bag. You should make it a mandatory to wear it for a week or more to see why it doesn’t go into your rotation. Coz once you let it go, I’m not so sure you’ll find it again at the price you like.

One other comment on the ivory. One reason I don’t want to sell is because, as you say, it is a hard to find combination. I love having the bijoux chain. Maybe I need to find anouther bag with the chain in a better color for me. Or maybe I just need to admire this chain and let the bag go for something I love wearing.

How’s this for low tech?
I started a bullet journal a couple of years ago and decided to just keep track there. I actually like that it’s in a physical notebook and I don’t have to go online to look at it.
View attachment 4286665
I also track by month, and have a list of what bags I bought by year dating back to 2011. Yes, I’m a dork.
View attachment 4286666

OMG! Your photo is so freeing. I wanted to start a bullet journal but when I see people using 10,000 colored pencils and drawing photos, I get overwhelmed.

I don’t have it in me to do this on a daily basis.

So, I’m going to look into doing one again.

Do you take your with you or is this your once a day check in at home?

2018 was the first year I did my tracking by day, rather than by the week. In 2017 I had put in the date I switched into the bag, because I usually use a bag for a whole week. But then at the end of the year I wasn't able to do a count of exactly how many days I had carried a bag, because sometimes I'd use a bag for two weeks. Or half a week. So that tracking data was basically useless.

This year I just put an X into the spreadsheet every time I walked out the door with a bag. I found that it took no time at all to do on the computer, and it really gave me useful data. I let go of three bags that I wasn't using, and I have my eye on another one for next year... but I feel really good about all the others!

My tracking has been invaluable. I’m glad it’s worked for you too!’

Two questions popped into my head and I’d love to hear everyone’s thoughts:

1) Do you know how much your total collection cost? Do you care? Has anyone ever thought to manage their bags by total cost vs total number, total amount of space, etc? If you knew how much your collection cost would it change your behavior?

I have no idea but could add it up pretty quickly. The number isn’t important to me at all.

2) How do you and your family communicate with each other on what you want as gifts? We keep Pinterest pages - one is X’s Wish List (items over $1000) and the other is X’s stocking stuffers. That way we always have a number of things to choose from that are exactly what the person wants but they’re still surprised. Getting my DS to use Pinterest was a problem til he saw how happy my DS was with her presents.

Whoops. Typo. Stocking stuffer list is $100 and under not $1000 and under. I’d love the stocking full of $999 gifts.

I know exactly how much my total collection costs, and I care. I keep a spreadsheet. I don't think my total cost isn't bad at all compared to the number of items I have. I am frugal and can't bring myself to drop a huge chunk of dough on one item. My problem has always been the quantity of items I have. I think the cost has helped change my behavior because at one point the amount I had spent on keychains and purse charms was more than I had spent in any other category. These are items that were supposed to relatively cheap that I started collecting partly to stop me from looking at purses. The collection got way out of control.

I also keep track of how much I've made or lost on each item I've sold. I include other things I've sold in that sales list, like kids clothes, school books, various household items, and things I've bought at thrift stores specifically for selling. At this point, my profits from sales more than cover the money I've spent on my collection, so I should be guilt-free.

We never really communicated about what we want as gifts. DH has never been one to buy me gifts. It used to really bother me. The most he will do is take me shopping so I can pick out my own gift.

When I was growing up, my family didn't make a big deal out of Christmas. We are not Christian. We only celebrated it at all because everyone else did and just minimally. We didn't have a tree or decorations. My parents usually bought me 4 modest gifts each year, one of which was always clothes. The others were games, art kits or puzzles. My father had a friend who owned a toy store and he would often get the things that didn't sell. Once we got a really neat pen and ink art kit I absolutely loved. I would go to a friend's house after Christmas and see what other kids got. For some of them, it took them all day to open their gifts.

When the kids were little, I went overboard with gifts for them. I guess I was trying to compensate for my childhood. After we moved to this house, when the kids were older, I couldn't get the energy to do it anymore so they started getting money. Now that they are grown, we don't do anything to celebrate the holiday. This year my son is coming over for dinner, but that is it.

I started keeping track of how much I’ve lost or made on my sales since 2016. I’d bet since then I’m pretty much break even because I bought preloved bags and sold almost all for a teeny profit. I haven’t really sold very many of my more expensive bags at all. Those have been really well thought out purchases.

I never understood the practice of selling bags to purchase bags. You are always going to be selling those bags at a loss, and you'll have to likely sell 3 or 4 to get enough to buy one new one. That doesn't make sense to me. Eventually, you'll run out of bags to sell and won't have enough money to get the new one.

To me it makes sense to sell whatever I’m not really using and putting that towards a new purchase. Otherwise, I’m wasting the money sitting on the shelf. But, as you point out, it’s not a sustainable model. And, unless we are true resellers, I think we all should be trying to buy to keep and enjoy our bags for a time. Not to flip to be flipping.

 

[Sparkletastic]

I want to be a small bag person, but I feel like the notebook and a water bottle are two “crutches” I don’t want to leave home without (at least if I’m going to be out for several hours).

My Evernote helped me stop carting the paper notebook. It backs up itself so I never risk losing anything.

I usually take a water bottle with me but never put it in my bag. I don’t want it sweating on my lining and everything else. I do put it in my laptop bag when I’m working.

Mmm I like these questions. Keep this kind of stuff coming! I like that you make me think about things and also question or think twice about what I’m doing. Plus I’m super curious about other people’s answers.

1) Yes, I do! Not a memorized number but my collection is so small that I could add it up quickly and I have a ballpark in my head. Also, my husband has an idea and it is the one this he is least pleased about with me. Understandably so. It’s a humongous number since I collect H bags.

2) The holidays aren’t huge in my family. They are a time to come together but we’re not big on traditional meals and presents. In my family, if there was something that we wanted, like a sweater, my Mom would buy it on the spot. Obviously not everything we ever wanted but the point is that gifts like that came throughout the year so it wasn’t ever a huge list of gifts that we asked for over the holidays. Now, I generally don’t have any presents to open on my birthday except from my husband and I think I will only receive a check this year from my grandma for Christmas. My grandma has been incredibly frugal in her life and generous with us, so I’m always grateful. And then I can pick out a couple of nice (usually H) gifts for myself! My husband’s family is big on gifts so it took awhile for me to reconcile his gift buying/spending for them and what I’ve always done in my family. I’m just glad to spend quality time with family this year, and anything we get we can hopefully use for the baby.

Also, I wonder how this will change with our baby on the way. Obviously we’ll have to make it more fun and have more holiday spirit (we don’t generally even put up lights or a tree since we’re gone over the holidays every year), but I wonder what we’ll do gifts-wise. I’d love to include some giving, like adopting a family for Christmas and/or Thanksgiving. And I’d like to make sure baby doesn’t get too crazy extravagant of gifts because that’s not really what the holidays are about, in my opinion. We are Asian (and my husband is not) so I think that’s where some of the difference lies with how we see the holidays. But I love hearing about others’ traditions and techniques! I remember going over to my neighbor’s house on Christmas morning after they opened presents and being in awe of how many they received, and just how festive it was! Maybe at the time I really felt I was missing out but I no longer feel that way and it shaped how I want Christmas to be in my family with me, my husband, our baby, and any future kids we may have.

I just added up how much my bags cost me (not necessarily retail) and it was almost exactly what I thought. To me, it’s a HUGE number when I think I actually spent that on bags. But, they make me happy and we can afford the spend so I don’t really care.

We definitely spent more time celebrating everything when the kids arrived. That didn’t necessarily mean big gifts thought. While my kids were growing up I focused on presents that were fun but enhanced their intellect and / or creativity. I also made a number of presents so that they could feel how much I cared. The biggest category of gifts was experiences because I felt those “lasted” and stuff wouldn’t. I was right about that. It’s only been in the last 4-5 years I’ve bought my kids more expensive gifts and this is because their value system is set. They never ask for anything and are always happy to received whatever. If I get them something sentimental for $5 or shiny for $500, they're equally grateful. But, their favorite is always experiences. So I still tend to lean in that direction.

Our culture doesn’t celebrate Christmas or giving gifts and my parents are not big on presents unless it’s a really huge milestone for them. We’ll go out for fancy meals on ones birthday. Fancy like the price of a Birkin fancy. There’re 3 roof-top restaurants in the city that’re ranked as the best top 3 in the world and we’ve been to all of them and some more of that kind of fancy. Or we take a family trip, private tour guide, fancy resort and authentic local meals. But they don’t gift us any presents unless it’s a really important event such as graduation or getting married.

I have dined in some amazing restaurants across the globe and don’t know where I can go and spend B money on a dinner. Last night Mr. S and I went to the so called #1 steak restaurant in Dallas, the total cost wasn’t brand new Coach or MK money. So, I’m intrigued and a little terrified by the dining experience in B money territory!!! Is it that there are a lot of you at the expensive restaurant? With our little family of 4 it would be hard to eat several thousand dollars of anything a piece. LOL!

Is it that the entree is that expensive? That there are tons of courses and each is expensive? That individual items are rare? That you are getting rare liquors or wines? What kind of cuisine? Tell us more!!!!

I don’t know how much my total collection cost, but I do know how much each of my premiere designer bags (and most of the others) cost so could add it up if I wanted to. But I don’t want to! I already know I’ve spent too much on bags for an entire lifetime!

What knowing the costs did do it show me where my ceiling is for an individual bag. When I bought my pre-loved Barenia Kelly, something in my brain clicked in and I knew I’d never spend that much on a bag again. Maybe I’ll be wrong, but it will take an extraordinary bag and an extraordinary circumstance for me to spend more than I spent on that bag. Also, I feel now like I don’t want to spend that much anymore. I want premiere bags, but in the $2-3K range, not in the $5K+ range. Somewhere along the line, I just stopped feeling comfortable spending that much. Not that $2-3K isn’t a lot of money, but I also am buying fewer bags. There aren’t many bags I consider getting rid of, so it’s good that my desire to accumulate has tapered off a bit!

Re. Christmas gifts, my family is small and spread out across the country. My mother has given up on trying to buy things for us so she sends a check instead. When I met my future DH, it became clear very quickly that our family “Christmas cultures” were vastly different — for our first Christmas together, I got him three things. He got me ten things! Opening presents with my parents took minutes, with his parents it took hours. It was fun to fall into his family’s way of doing Christmas! But as we’ve gotten older (and his parents have both passed away) it now feels excessive to buy a lot of stuff. Our Christmas shopping has been impeded this year by the fact that he had major ankle surgery and just recently got into a walking boot, so this year, we’re going to go shopping together after Christmas and have fun finding a few things together.

I’m like you. I have 3 bags that are more than $5k retail. To me, that is a LOT to spend on a bag and I’m not really excited to spend that kindness of money again. Spending $2k - $2500 or less is more comfortable and even that seems like a whole lot for what is essentially a pretty leather sack.

I’m glad I’m pretty content with my collection and don’t feel the hunger to buy I used to feel. Because I can’t keep justifying these levels of expenditure. It doesn’t matter that I can “afford” them. I’m personally reaching my limit on what I want to invest. There were a couple of recent years that I spent $25k+ on bags. (offset by some selling) I don’t have any desire to do that again.

This is fantastic!
Gosh, I need to up my “shopping my wardrobe” game. I just wear what I like, when I like, without a tally. I’m missing so many tricks!

I want to start tracking my wardrobe better. I think I’ll start a tally list in my Evernote Jan 1 and just add what I wear each day. I was doing Stylebook but it was a pain to photograph all the items.

I use the out of milk app. I don't use all the bells and whistles that come with it, but what I like is that if I've put something on my list before, it remains on there, but at the bottom crossed out after I bought it, so it is easy to back through all the crossed out items and check them to put them back on the list. It's like a reminder of all the things we usually need.

Thanks for mentions this. I just downloaded the app. I’ve been using Shopper and they removed some functionality on the free version.

I've never actually calculated the total cost of my collection and didn't think I care but now that I think about it some more - it is an interesting concept to manage the collection by total cost vs. total number. Say we are constantly trying to maintain a total cost (initial cost) of $15K - and end up having to sell 3 bags at $5K total to purchase one bag at $5K. Is that what we are talking about?

No, I was originally curious if people had a total max cost they had for their collection and were trying to stay under it. I hadn’t given any thought as to how that would work for them. It doesn’t seem anyone is managing to a total number which as you point out could have a myriad of issues.

 

[Sparkletastic]

My wardrobe goals in 2019
a) NO shoes, clothes, accessories (unless 1 out, 1 in)
b) Keep downsizing my bag collection down to 10.
Categories:

• work bag: 2 bags
  • Ferragamo black satchel and maybe Garden Party in gold replacing my current Ferragamo brown shoulder bag
• gym and travel bag 2
  • gym bag and Neverfull
• evening bag 2
  • the black shiny one and white studded Burberry
• leisure bag 3
  • Burberry tan tote, CDC black tote or Francesco Biasia cream bag
• unallocated 2
  • Burberry canvas summer bag, Chanel in lamb

I currently have 20ish bags but the best I can do is 15ish. I’ll continue listing more bags for sale during the holidays. Maybe I can reach 10 in 2020 and apply “one in and one” out rule. I don't own those marked in orange but I'm considering adding them or something in equivalent style to make my collection more timeless.

I need wardrobe goals. Hmmm... Let me go think about that and come back.

 

[Rhl2987]

We definitely spent more time celebrating everything when the kids arrived. That didn’t necessarily mean big gifts thought. While my kids were growing up I focused on presents that were fun but enhanced their intellect and / or creativity. I also made a number of presents so that they could feel how much I cared. The biggest category of gifts was experiences because I felt those “lasted” and stuff wouldn’t. I was right about that. It’s only been in the last 4-5 years I’ve bought my kids more expensive gifts and this is because their value system is set. They never ask for anything and are always happy to received whatever. If I get them something sentimental for $5 or shiny for $500, they're equally grateful. But, their favorite is always experiences. So I still tend to lean in that direction.

Love this!! I will take this to heart.

 

[Rhl2987]

I never understood the practice of selling bags to purchase bags. You are always going to be selling those bags at a loss, and you'll have to likely sell 3 or 4 to get enough to buy one new one. That doesn't make sense to me. Eventually, you'll run out of bags to sell and won't have enough money to get the new one.

For me, it’s not so much selling to buy, but not wanting to buy and buy and buy without getting rid of anything because then I’d have too much and not be able to wear it all as much as I’d like. I’m getting much better at it but, in the past when I didn’t fully understand my own tastes, I would acquire bags that I didn’t love as much as I needed to a few months after purchasing. So, I do still have bags that I use less frequently that I want to cull from my collection to make room for what I absolutely love and will use regularly and never get rid of. So, I have sold bags at a small loss and bags at a bigger loss and bags at a profit, but it’s been part of my process up until now. I’m okay with that. And there are bags in my collection that, as I add my holy grails, I know there will be less room for. Everyone is different and I envy those who have the self control and foresight to only purchase bags that they will love just as much in 10 years. I’m getting closer to that!

 

[whateve]

My Evernote helped me stop carting the paper notebook. It backs up itself so I never risk losing anything.

I usually take a water bottle with me but never put it in my bag. I don’t want it sweating on my lining and everything else. I do put it in my laptop bag when I’m working.
I just added up how much my bags cost me (not necessarily retail) and it was almost exactly what I thought. To me, it’s a HUGE number when I think I actually spent that on bags. But, they make me happy and we can afford the spend so I don’t really care.

We definitely spent more time celebrating everything when the kids arrived. That didn’t necessarily mean big gifts thought. While my kids were growing up I focused on presents that were fun but enhanced their intellect and / or creativity. I also made a number of presents so that they could feel how much I cared. The biggest category of gifts was experiences because I felt those “lasted” and stuff wouldn’t. I was right about that. It’s only been in the last 4-5 years I’ve bought my kids more expensive gifts and this is because their value system is set. They never ask for anything and are always happy to received whatever. If I get them something sentimental for $5 or shiny for $500, they're equally grateful. But, their favorite is always experiences. So I still tend to lean in that direction.
I have dined in some amazing restaurants across the globe and don’t know where I can go and spend B money on a dinner. Last night Mr. S and I went to the so called #1 steak restaurant in Dallas, the total cost wasn’t brand new Coach or MK money. So, I’m intrigued and a little terrified by the dining experience in B money territory!!! Is it that there are a lot of you at the expensive restaurant? With our little family of 4 it would be hard to eat several thousand dollars of anything a piece. LOL!

Is it that the entree is that expensive? That there are tons of courses and each is expensive? That individual items are rare? That you are getting rare liquors or wines? What kind of cuisine? Tell us more!!!!

I’m like you. I have 3 bags that are more than $5k retail. To me, that is a LOT to spend on a bag and I’m not really excited to spend that kindness of money again. Spending $2k - $2500 or less is more comfortable and even that seems like a whole lot for what is essentially a pretty leather sack.

I’m glad I’m pretty content with my collection and don’t feel the hunger to buy I used to feel. Because I can’t keep justifying these levels of expenditure. It doesn’t matter that I can “afford” them. I’m personally reaching my limit on what I want to invest. There were a couple of recent years that I spent $25k+ on bags. (offset by some selling) I don’t have any desire to do that again.
I want to start tracking my wardrobe better. I think I’ll start a tally list in my Evernote Jan 1 and just add what I wear each day. I was doing Stylebook but it was a pain to photograph all the items.
Thanks for mentions this. I just downloaded the app. I’ve been using Shopper and they removed some functionality on the free version.
No, I was originally curious if people had a total max cost they had for their collection and were trying to stay under it. I hadn’t given any thought as to how that would work for them. It doesn’t seem anyone is managing to a total number which as you point out could have a myriad of issues.

I am also curious at how you could spend the price of a Birkin for one meal. It is usually just DH and I. We don't have super expensive restaurants in our town but we never set a dollar limit on eating and when we travel, we try a lot of restaurants. Unless you are buying expensive liquor, it rarely goes over $200-$300.

 

[whateve]

For me, it’s not so much selling to buy, but not wanting to buy and buy and buy without getting rid of anything because then I’d have too much and not be able to wear it all as much as I’d like. I’m getting much better at it but, in the past when I didn’t fully understand my own tastes, I would acquire bags that I didn’t love as much as I needed to a few months after purchasing. So, I do still have bags that I use less frequently that I want to cull from my collection to make room for what I absolutely love and will use regularly and never get rid of. So, I have sold bags at a small loss and bags at a bigger loss and bags at a profit, but it’s been part of my process up until now. I’m okay with that. And there are bags in my collection that, as I add my holy grails, I know there will be less room for. Everyone is different and I envy those who have the self control and foresight to only purchase bags that they will love just as much in 10 years. I’m getting closer to that!

I have no idea what I'm going to love in 10 years! Even bags I loved a few years ago, I don't love as much now.

 

[ElainePG]

I use the out of milk app. I don't use all the bells and whistles that come with it, but what I like is that if I've put something on my list before, it remains on there, but at the bottom crossed out after I bought it, so it is easy to back through all the crossed out items and check them to put them back on the list. It's like a reminder of all the things we usually need.

Oh, I'll have to look for this! I just use the "Notes" app that comes with my phone, but I like the idea of items staying on the list but automatically crossed out & put on the bottom.

I just loooooove technology!

 

[Sparkletastic]

For me, it’s not so much selling to buy, but not wanting to buy and buy and buy without getting rid of anything because then I’d have too much and not be able to wear it all as much as I’d like. I’m getting much better at it but, in the past when I didn’t fully understand my own tastes, I would acquire bags that I didn’t love as much as I needed to a few months after purchasing. So, I do still have bags that I use less frequently that I want to cull from my collection to make room for what I absolutely love and will use regularly and never get rid of. So, I have sold bags at a small loss and bags at a bigger loss and bags at a profit, but it’s been part of my process up until now. I’m okay with that. And there are bags in my collection that, as I add my holy grails, I know there will be less room for. Everyone is different and I envy those who have the self control and foresight to only purchase bags that they will love just as much in 10 years. I’m getting closer to that!

I have no idea what I'm going to love in 10 years! Even bags I loved a few years ago, I don't love as much now.

I’m the same. While I am now definitely buying with a mind to keep as long as I can, I don’t have the capacity to predict what I’ll love in 10 years. As I mentioned, I’m even a little bored with my Chanel classic flaps. I don’t intend to sell them (except maybe the ivory) because I think as @vink said, I’ll love them more when bigger bags come back in. But, I’m not interested in buying any more. Boy bags yes. Classic flaps. Not really. I’m just not excited when j wear them like I am with my newer bags.

I like new styles and designs. And, I know I’ll add bags now and again. So, my ongoing challenge is be to really be thoughtful in adding.

Knowing I like new is the main driver behind me buying just one bag or so a year. That way, I don’t have a whole lot of bags that are aging out. My collection always feels fresh but, not having a lot of turnover.

Say if, for example, my reality is I get tired of most bags after 7 years. (?) If I only bring in 2 bags a year, I’ll only have one bag to sell/rehome 7 years later. I don’t mind the pace of one or two in and one out each year.

Ironically, this is also a reason why I make the decision to never go on bans. I don’t want to have a bunch of bags come in one year and then no bags come in the next. If I do that, then say in the 7 years, I’ll be selling a bunch of bags from my buying spree year (hellish hassle) and then feeling the pinch to really want to buy the next year (risk of discontent and more binging.)

 

[ElainePG]

For me, it’s not so much selling to buy, but not wanting to buy and buy and buy without getting rid of anything because then I’d have too much and not be able to wear it all as much as I’d like. I’m getting much better at it but, in the past when I didn’t fully understand my own tastes, I would acquire bags that I didn’t love as much as I needed to a few months after purchasing. So, I do still have bags that I use less frequently that I want to cull from my collection to make room for what I absolutely love and will use regularly and never get rid of. So, I have sold bags at a small loss and bags at a bigger loss and bags at a profit, but it’s been part of my process up until now. I’m okay with that. And there are bags in my collection that, as I add my holy grails, I know there will be less room for. Everyone is different and I envy those who have the self control and foresight to only purchase bags that they will love just as much in 10 years. I’m getting closer to that!

Yes. That's it exactly. When I was new to the world of designer bags (almost exactly 5 years ago, after I joined tPF!) I went a little crazy. The bags I bought weren't terribly expensive, because I didn't know much, and I also bought pre-loved bags at local consignment shops. But within a year I had acquired a LOT of bags! Yikes!

Joining this thread helped me to take a good hard look at my collection. I de-cluttered the ones I didn't love, not really to make money to finance new purchases, but just to ensure that every time I reached for a bag, it would be a bag that would make smile.

It's taken five years, but I'm (very nearly) satisfied with my collection. As a wise person once said, if you want to become a wine connoisseur, you have to open a LOT of bottles!