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

[Rhl2987]

Then it's easy decision to put her up for sale.


Thanks for the tip! Which mutual funds are good choices to be considered if I can let it sit and grow 5-10 years? Low administration fee is a must because I'm afraid high costs will eat up all my profits...

One additional thing to please keep in mind is that some mutual funds have a minimum amount you must invest to get started, so it will be good to keep that in mind as you research. I second others here who have said to look into what your work might offer. That is a really great place to start and some companies will even do matching on the amount you put into your 401k.

 

[ipsum]

@vink
Hush pupipes! If I don't have "one in, one out" rule I'd have already catched several Hush puppies.

The market is down now so it is a good time to get in. I would suggest mutual funds. They are less volatile than individual securities and you can choose one that isn't too risky, if that is what you want. It makes a difference if you will need to draw out the income on a regular basis or if you have time to let it sit and grow.

My son is an an attorney and was a finance major. He suggests most people use a no load index fund. He says just by the law of averages, 99% of advisors do not beat the average year after year, so paying a premium for them gets you nothing in the long run. An index fund gives you the market average. Buy the average, hold it, and you yield the average return. Long term, the market has yielded about 8%. Some years up, some years down. But an average of 8.

And if you are still working, buy through your company 401k. If not, go someplace like Fidelity and open an account. They charge low fees for many of their products. And as you can see, many of their product offerings are best in class: https://clark.com/personal-finance-credit/best-investment-companies-for-your-money/

@whateve investments are a good idea. I’m considered a low to medium risk investor and have a financial advisor - do you have one? It took me a while to find a good one and honestly it came with a bit of luck that my previous advisors left the firm and my account trickled down to my current advisor. Thankful for that cuz he’s helped me a lot. If you don’t have one, maybe ask friends to recommend one. The administrative process was really painless (maybe depends on where you live though). I think if your low risk, but plan to leave your funds in for a while, I don’t see the harm, unless you will be getting better return by spending your money elsewhere.

One additional thing to please keep in mind is that some mutual funds have a minimum amount you must invest to get started, so it will be good to keep that in mind as you research. I second others here who have said to look into what your work might offer. That is a really great place to start and some companies will even do matching on the amount you put into your 401k.

Thank you all for great advice! I've no work tomorrow so I've no reason to put off investing any longer. I'll start with browsing both no load and regular index funds and open an account on Fidelity if they allow me to do it overseas. I live in Europe so, unfortunately, here's no 401k, IRA, 529 plans... Tax policy in America seems very favourable for small investors. It'd be very rewarding to buy my first designer handbag with my profits after a decade or two. The major benefit is definitely putting myself into stricter low buy.

Do you guys mind me posting investing related questions here or should I go to other forums like Reddit?

 

[Dawn Brockman]

@vink
Hush pupipes! If I don't have "one in, one out" rule I'd have already catched several Hush puppies.










Thank you all for great advice! I've no work tomorrow so I've no reason to put off investing any longer. I'll start with browsing both no load and regular index funds and open an account on Fidelity if they allow me to do it overseas. I live in Europe so, unfortunately, here's no 401k, IRA, 529 plans... Tax policy in America seems very favourable for small investors. It'd be very rewarding to buy my first designer handbag with my profits after a decade or two. The major benefit is definitely putting myself into stricter low buy.

Do you guys mind me posting investing related questions here or should I go to other forums like Reddit?

I think you should talk to someone who is operating in your tax/retirement environment!

 

[More bags]

I have been carrying my medium Lady Dior for the past 2 weeks. It has really grown on me. I used to worry that my wardrobe had to measure up but I decided to stop fixating on that. Today I carried it wearing my beat up old ugly boot-cut corduroys with fleece zip up..very refined and ladylike...Not. I went to Home Depot and Ikea. Well it worked. Anyway my point is that I am no longer going to save bags for when I meet the Queen. Mine is a deep dark aubergine patent in the non-puffy cannage. It is great and worry-free in the rain! I have always preferred my mini lady Diors because they have the “easier-to-get-into” flap and they are so so cute but... this size sure holds a lot more! I have figured how to best access the contents by lifting and spreading the flaps. Another bonus is that things don't spill out even if top is unzipped..(I seem to be allergic to zipping bags). I also do not use the strap with the medium size. Because of the dark interior, it is hard to find things, so you should use light colored SLGs.


I will close by saying that these bags look so much better in person. They just are not very photogenic as my photos below will attest. Until I saw it in the boutique, I thought they were blah and stodgy. They’re not. They just have that “je ne sais quoi”. Whenever I look at it, i just love it. I would love another in medium in Grey lambskin or that special blue patent one they released for the Shanghai launch..but they are too expensive for cords and fleece!

View attachment 4290101 View attachment 4290102

essiedub, your Lady Dior is beautiful, thanks for sharing your thoughts and pics!

 

[HopelessBagGirl]

Mailed two bags out today. So expensive and such a pain. And still waiting for a Prada return and I need to relist it. Boring!
27 bags right now in my walk-in closet, and it's only slightly too full. So close to the right amount. Two dozen would be perfect for the allotted space. But instead of losing 3 I have 5 purchased & on the way! Wrong direction!

Oh well. I'm off to a new year's party with my Massaccesi aura which is small but did fit all my essentials plus Cards Against Humanity for the adults to play at the party!

 

[Sparkletastic]

That Is So Pretty!!!!!!

Ooh so pretty! Love how the flower petals are hearts! Will you show us your red gown?
P.S. yes yes go look at the Lady Diors ( you too @cookiefiend @whateve @ElainePG) there are some interesting iterations but I’d stick with the classic cannage...check out the dove grey lambskin..Le sigh.. but no more for me

That will be stunning with a red gown! Happy New Year!!

It's lovely! Yayyy for Mr Sparkle Have a wonderful NYE carrying it

Absolutely adorable!

Thank you!!!

 

[vink]

Please share. Do you actually mean that you only have 4 pairs of shoes?? WOW!! That is a ton of money saved and used on other things, if so!

Yes. I actually have 2 pairs of shoes/sneakers before yesterday. One is an old fashion sneakers from sketchers that I use for gym and exercise. Another is a Nike NMD which I consider a dressier sneakers and wear them daily. My life is quite casual and I just wear it everyday. My husband doesn’t do dinner date and all the places I go can take my dressing just fine. (I don’t think people look at me past my wide-legged pants.) Oh.... I have one pair of the architectural silver heels that I wear for formal events, but that’s all I’ve got. So,.... yeah... my bag closet maybe bigger, but my shoe closet is quite minimal. These 2 additional will be great for the day I want some changes. I normally don’t go over 2 or 3 pairs so this is the most I’ve had. I normally don’t need more than this anyway. Plus, I usually wear my shoes until they’re worn out and then just replace them with a new one so I don’t really have many.

 

[ipsum]

Yes. I actually have 2 pairs of shoes/sneakers before yesterday.

I thought you got 4 pairs for this season but that there's 4 pairs in your entire shoe collection...! That's achievement!!!

I think you should talk to someone who is operating in your tax/retirement environment!

Yeah, good point. My home state supports investing in domestic companies because tax rate for profits is around 35 % on foreign companies so we might end up comparing oranges and apples here after all...

Happy New Year All! I'll be less frequent here when my Christmas holiday is over after tomorrow.

 

[Miss_Dawn]

@ipsum
Do you mean that you haven’t started saving for retirement, or that you’re trying to save more besides the current pension pot?

I’m in the UK and it’s not the same as the US, but there are lots of options.

 

[dcooney4]

Yes. I actually have 2 pairs of shoes/sneakers before yesterday. One is an old fashion sneakers from sketchers that I use for gym and exercise. Another is a Nike NMD which I consider a dressier sneakers and wear them daily. My life is quite casual and I just wear it everyday. My husband doesn’t do dinner date and all the places I go can take my dressing just fine. (I don’t think people look at me past my wide-legged pants.) Oh.... I have one pair of the architectural silver heels that I wear for formal events, but that’s all I’ve got. So,.... yeah... my bag closet maybe bigger, but my shoe closet is quite minimal. These 2 additional will be great for the day I want some changes. I normally don’t go over 2 or 3 pairs so this is the most I’ve had. I normally don’t need more than this anyway. Plus, I usually wear my shoes until they’re worn out and then just replace them with a new one so I don’t really have many.

My climate changes to much to be able to do this. I would love to have more open closet space by shoes and boots. As it is I have to store opposite season in huge box to make room for all the boots.

 

[vink]

@vink
Hush pupipes! If I don't have "one in, one out" rule I'd have already catched several Hush puppies.










Thank you all for great advice! I've no work tomorrow so I've no reason to put off investing any longer. I'll start with browsing both no load and regular index funds and open an account on Fidelity if they allow me to do it overseas. I live in Europe so, unfortunately, here's no 401k, IRA, 529 plans... Tax policy in America seems very favourable for small investors. It'd be very rewarding to buy my first designer handbag with my profits after a decade or two. The major benefit is definitely putting myself into stricter low buy.

Do you guys mind me posting investing related questions here or should I go to other forums like Reddit?

I don’t have the one-in, one-out rule for shoes, but for me, if neglected, shoes will deteriorate just so much faster in the cabinet and I don’t need many. What I have fits me for every occasions so that’s why I only have what I have. Yes... DH has more shoes than I do. He has more than 10 just for running shoes alone. [emoji37][emoji37][emoji37] I can never do that. Even at my most into-shoes moment, I think perhaps I’d have one more pair of sneakers and a pair of boots and that’s all. IMHO, shoes worn out fast and if kept in cabinet, they’ll just deteriorate anyway. I don’t see the point of having too many pairs. Unlike bags. [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]

 

[catsinthebag]

Share pics of your new Chanel!
Most of my earrings are white gold so I can pair then with the bag. but, it’s just not love.

You know, I think you are just done with this bag. Trying to figure out why, and how to make it work, is taking up an enormous amount of psychic energy. At this point, I don’t think it matters why. The more you talk about it, the more I’m convinced it’s time to just let it go.

 

[Annabel Lee]

I think of my collection as rather modest in term of the market / retail value. Vintage Coach was not a luxury brand, and as much as current Coach wants to compete, they’re not listed as a premium brand. That pretty taupe brown Patti I posted last week maybe retailed for $250 in 1997, the year mine was manufactured. I purchased her for less $20 and showered her with some tlc. Also, I am committed to buying on the secondary market when I can, mostly from an upcycle/recycle standpoint. And yeah, my wallet doesn’t mind. So I am a bit of an odd duck here due to my preferences and the fact that refurbishing vintage Coach is a hobby, for now at least (yet feel very much one of the crowd ).
Yet even as the odd duck, I share a love of quality leather and craftsmanship and so many of the questions posed here on to buy or not to buy.

I don't think you're an odd duck at all--appreciating pretty bags is what we do here! I love the idea of refurbishing, and if I had the skill. I'd want to do it too, but it's not something I have a natural inclination for. And $250 in 1997 was a lot of money! On another thread, a member said an LV speedy 25 was only $325 in 1998, so that's a pretty comparable cost. Value is all relative, and being able to get bargains doesn't reduce what an item's worth to you.

Coach makes beautiful bags, and I'm glad some of them are finding new life with you.

That Kelly is a great example of a reseller getting greedy. I believe the color of the bag in your picture is Rose Poupre, which is still fairly new and super desirable. This price is OTT even for a brand new bag, IMO. You’d pay way less buying that bag new in the boutique, if you could find it.

And that’s really the problem. Hermes creates the image of scarcity, which makes buyers lose their minds to get that one color that H will never do again after this season. My SA cured me of that one day by pointing out that they may never do that shade of blue again, but if I wait, they’ll do a different shade that is just one hair different that the one I’m coveting.

So what you (not you specifically, Sparkle, I’m talking generally) have to decide is how bad you want that particular shade of pink (or blue, or whatever). For me, I’m sorry, I’m just not gonna spend that amount of money on a bag. I don’t judge someone who does, I just can’t spend my money that way. Over time, I came to realize that I’m OK with the price of, say, an Evelyne new from the boutique, but for a Birkin or Kelly, I’m happier buying vintage bags. I never would have considered a pre-owned bag before, but once I did a lot of looking and learning, I found a few really special, unique bags at way below retail price. Which still means the price is crazy compared to other brands, but that’s how I was able to find my comfort zone.

Sorry for rambling! It’s just that every time I see one of these bags listed for what is essentially double the retail price, I just shake my head!

This is so interesting! Thanks for the insight/explanation. I'll have to remember that.

I need a celebration bag purchase for finishing my masters thesis, and thus grad school!

Congrats! So exciting!

I am working on gratitude and being aware of how very lucky I am to have my collection. Also am reminding myself on the regular how unusual it is compared to the ladies I know in my day to day life and that it's a real privilege to have fun with a bag collection on any level.

Thanks for this. What a great reminder to start off 2019.

I had to smile at your “closeted evening bag hoarder” comment. This would be me if I had any evening “events” in my life at all! Every time I’m in Bottega Veneta, I ask them to open the drawer with all the Knot clutches so I can just stare at all the pretty candies. Too bad I live in a place where “festive attire” just means, “no fleece!”

This cracked me up... pretty much my situation as well!

Even when we head three hours north to The Big City, where you'd think it would be dressier, I'm constantly shocked at what people think is appropriate clothing to wear to the opera. The Hubster and I always look nice but I've actually seen men there in shorts, and women in leggings!

+1 on overdressed v. underdressed. It’s not more comfortable for super casual clothing than put together clothing. It’s a myth because people pick
the wrong “nice” clothing.
And it’s not about other people. Sometimes, I’ll get teased about being well dressed so obviously I don’t care about other people’s opinions. To me it’s about two things: if you are participating in a social ritual, then participate. I can’t go to some places the Middle East with my head uncovered. I don’t rail against the machine about casual or USA wear and go uncovered. I conform.

The second is why do you feel so important that you need to be contrary??? If you go to a black tie event wear black tie clothes. Stop acting like your personal issues ***** the tradition, norms and ethos of the event. It’s spoiled and disrespectful to IMO. I’m not going to a hike in a ball gown. Why come to a ball in converse tennis shoes??? SMH!
.

All of these underdressed stories are so horrifying. Leggings! To an opera!
I don't get it. I'm another who doesn't mind being overdressed--I think dressing up is a sign of respect. And while I like to dress up, I am not sure why other people dislike it so much that they'd rather be rude than appropriate.

And I think dressing down diminishes special occasions for other people. One of the better restaurants in my city is a tiny Italian place with dim lighting, candles on the table, nice linens, extensive wine list, etc. But a lot of times when I go there, the clientele are in shorts and flip-flops. It really makes the place feel less fancy, which is a shame, because it should be a nice experience.

I'll be doing the love it or list it challenge in January with my Valentino Rockstud tote. I have a love/hate relationship with it, which is actually pretty tragic, considering it's only a handbag.
View attachment 4291977

Pros:
1. Even though studs are pretty much over, I still like them.
2. The weight, which is 1.1 pounds.
3. It has a nice wide strap.
4. It's my only brown bag.

Cons:
1. The clasp is very fiddly.
2. It isn't lined (partly why it's so lightweight) which makes it uber-slouchy and also kind of lumpy looking.
3. It's my only N/S bag (taller than it is wide) and I'm not sure if that's the most flattering look for me.
4. It's my only brown bag.

So I'm going to use the heck out of it for the next few weeks, and just see what I think.

The lumpiness would bother me, but from the photo, it's a beautiful bag.

Ok. No more grumpy. Mr. S gave me my last (I think) holiday prezzie!!!

Fendi silver calfskin wallet on chain !



Most of our furniture is light colored so I put it on one of my coats to show the color. LOL!

ME LOVE!!!!View attachment 4292421I have a pretty red gown for NYE and can’t wait to wear this with it. Yay!!!

Gorgeous bag! What a nice gift!

 

[catsinthebag]

Pros:
1. Even though studs are pretty much over, I still like them.
2. The weight, which is 1.1 pounds.
3. It has a nice wide strap.
4. It's my only brown bag.

Cons:
1. The clasp is very fiddly.
2. It isn't lined (partly why it's so lightweight) which makes it uber-slouchy and also kind of lumpy looking.
3. It's my only N/S bag (taller than it is wide) and I'm not sure if that's the most flattering look for me.
4. It's my only brown bag.

So I'm going to use the heck out of it for the next few weeks, and just see what I think.

I really like this bag, but then, I’m a sucker for cognac-colored bags! And if studs are “over,” that’s news to me. But if it looks lumpy on, that’s a problem. I would think the shape would make it look pretty sleek, but I also have a problem with north-south bags. Functionally, they don’t work for me because I feel like I’m always digging for my stuff because whatever I need has fallen to the bottom.

I had to laugh at the fact that it’s your only brown bag is both a positive and a negative! That alone makes it a good “love it or leave it,” bag!

 

[Sparkletastic]

Sparking of shoes, I took @ipsum ‘s advice and started hunting designer shoes that are preowned but new (or very lightly worn). And, I just bought these cute Alexander McQueens!

They were $635 and I got them for only $105 new in box!
I’m super excited. Unlike my bag collection which is curated and as complete as it will ever be (since I always expect to add a bag or two each year), my shoe “collection” needs help. Lol! I gutted it earlier this year and donated approx. 60 pair.

Rebuilding my shoe collection properly is one of my goals for this year. I love pretty shoes but finding the mix of stylish and comfortable is the barrier. I just can’t tolerate my feet hurting even a teeny bit. Also, I think it’s a little bit of work to have the right shoe in the right color / heel height / style for every occasion and not end up with a mountain of shoes. But, I needed some cute navy shoes so these are a win!