This is almost a closet confessionals issue- I have expensive taste and keep finding myself drawn to the diorama or a BV bag for evening use (so over 3k). If I spent the money on the bag, it wouldn’t impact our daily lives. We’re not rich, but we can afford a big purchase like that once in a while. The issue I’m struggling with is I really want a nice bag and feel like I’ll have it for a long time, so it doesn’t make sense to buy a 400 dollar bag that I don’t love, but it’s so hard to justifying spending 3k on a bag when that could buy me so much and it feels like “taking” from my young kids (a vacation! A new vanity for my bathroom! College savings! Two months of daycare!). For folks that aren’t rich, how do you work through these feelinngs? And where do you usually end up?
Closet confessionals? Justifying purchase when you have young kids
- Thread starter Cheryldc
- Start date
TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others
Why don't you get a preloved bag? That way the bag will have shed the extra price it does after taking it out of the store and you'd probably be able to put some money towards something else you want.
My kids are grown and on their own, but I still think about where the money could be put instead of a bag: retirement, gifts for others, emergency fund, house repairs or remodel, a new car (I got one but I think I should be saving for another one down the road). I think if you have guilt, you will have it regardless of how old your children are.
Since having a kid, I allowed myself to indulge in 1 bag a year, cos it makes me happy. Any more than 1, it will have to be 1-out-1-in ($ from the sale to fund the new bag). I also go the preloved route where possible. I don't feel guilty when I stick to my rules/limits.
When my kids were very little, I was still interested in bags but last 10 years it just got so busy and I moved several times so I downsized and didn't even think to buy a new bag. Just realizing I haven't bought a luxury bag in 10 years I've been kind of feeling deprived and bought 3 in the past 4 months. Moral of the story, pace yourself and spread it out. One bag a year sounds like a good idea (although I have 3 on my wishlist) and I don't want to have too many bags sitting around, it's no fun storing or moving these things.
Lastly, you shouldn't feel quilty. There will always be things to spend money on but your happiness matters too!
Lastly, you shouldn't feel quilty. There will always be things to spend money on but your happiness matters too!
You should post this question in the Parenting forum. I'm sure you'll get more interesting and varied responses.
I also ended up having no kids - that still doesn't mean I have more money because of my 2 stepsons, 2 goddaughters and a niece...
