Do you feel guilty about money spent on designer bags?

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#256
HauteMama said:
It says a lot of good things about you that you are willing to focus on others and think about the bigger issues. In my early 20's I almost drove myself crazy thinking about the number of people in need, and I felt like I didn't deserve any of the things I had simply because I'd won the "birth lottery". But with age comes the realization that we cannot fix everything. That's not to say we shouldn't try; just that we cannot feel guilty about living our lives if we are doing what we can for others. So instead of tithing to a religious organization, I tithe my 10% to charities I believe in, some domestic and some abroad. When tragedies arise, like earthquakes and floods and famines, I donate additionally whatever I can.

All that said, sometimes I still need to insulate myself from the news because I would feel driven to sell my home and all my posessions to make sure children didn't starve. If anyone with compassion dwells on the news too long it will break their heart. So stay involved, choose your charities wisely, and do what you can. Most people can give more by automatic monthly donations to a cause than by lump sums now and then. But don't neglect yoruself and do continue to indulge occasional desires. If people like you get burned out on the issues because they didn't take occasional time and money for themselves, then the world loses powerful agents for change.
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I think I am going to give up watching the news and give in ways that I can....there is no perfect scenerio and dwelling on news events is no good. Thanks!!!!
 
#257
BgaHolic said:
See? You're fine! You haven't offended or upset anyone on the forum! You're just being a considerate human being. It's great that that tv clip put things in perspective for you. I find sometimes TPF can be a slippery slope and you can get caught up here in buying so it's a good thing for that clip giving you and all of us a wake up call that there are more important needs!
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Yes the PF is a little world of it's own and a slippery slope that encourages us to buy be it right or wrong....managing the slippery slope and finding balance is important...some people are just collectors by nature...right now I am collecting smurfs...it is so much cheaper:p...thanks for sharing your thoughts:smile1:
 
#258
grietje said:
Realistically, I could donate 70-80 percent of my net income and still live well about the federal poverty level. But I don't. And I don't feel guilty about it.

For me, it's all a question of balance. I care about myself, my family, my community, and causes I support. Fortunately, I've been able to keep all four in balance.
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wow...you have it together....I will strive for balance....right now handbags are tipping the scale
 
#260
nascar fan said:
I found the local battered/abused women's shelter and donated clothes and bags. They need everything they can get. Those women start over ... with nothing.
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Me too! Actually, I am freakish about clutter and things I don't use, so I donate things at least once a quarter. I rotate between our DV shelter, cerebal palsy, veterans, and mentally disabled. Financially, we donate to animal shelters, children's services, coonhound rescue (where Lesley my sweetie pie of a hound came from), and a few other groups. I probably give cash to a homeless person once every two weeks. I always ask them not to buy drugs or alcohol with it. They still might, but as they put my $10 on the counter, they just might think twice about it. DH turned me on to buying some sandwiches at the grocery store and giving them to homeless people hanging around outsde. And we buy our men and women in service breakfast if we see them eating at our neighborhood breakfast joint (that's not really charity but it's a nice way to give our thanks for their sacrifice).
 
#261
grietje said:
Me too! Actually, I am freakish about clutter and things I don't use, so I donate things at least once a quarter. I rotate between our DV shelter, cerebal palsy, veterans, and mentally disabled. Financially, we donate to animal shelters, children's services, coonhound rescue (where Lesley my sweetie pie of a hound came from), and a few other groups. I probably give cash to a homeless person once every two weeks. I always ask them not to buy drugs or alcohol with it. They still might, but as they put my $10 on the counter, they just might think twice about it. DH turned me on to buying some sandwiches at the grocery store and giving them to homeless people hanging around outsde. And we buy our men and women in service breakfast if we see them eating at our neighborhood breakfast joint (that's not really charity but it's a nice way to give our thanks for their sacrifice).
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wow...you are really doing your part...very good ideas on how to give back...thanks for sharing
 
#262
Definitely feeling guilty and over-frivolous re bag-buying. I've now cut back by buying faux-leather/inspired bags. I have so much high-end stuff bought over the years that I really don't need another bag. Greed is another story however.
 
#263
Yes, I've felt guilty for being overindulgent with handbags, which is why I stopped buying completely 14 months ago. It was not necessarily because of say less fortunate people around the world, but because spending as much money and time as I did on as many handbags as I did went against everything I stood for. I am a person who's always valued experiences, education, and such far, far beyond leather, canvas, PVC, PU, and other lifeless, simplistic materials put together to look pretty and simply hold and organize my stuff.
 
#264
No, I take care of my obligations first, then buy my bags. I have come to a point in my life where I feel that it's my time now. I have raised, educated and married off two beautiful daughters. My life was dedicated to them for many years, now my husband has his toys and I have mine.
 
#265
I do feel guilty, but I have a general policy that when I get something new, I get rid of something old. I am looking at overall closet space, so I can get a new bag, and get rid of old clothes. When you see a naked lady with a really nice handbag, that would be me!
 
#268
I don't. I have my bank account set up to monthly give money to the Red Cross, I attempt to donate blood at every chance I get (my iron levels very frequently suck), I chair recycling for hundreds of people at my college, I work on houses with Habitat for Humanity, and am a leading member of a charity campus group. I've bought only 4 expensive bags in as many years, and each time I've done so, it's been with money I made in jobs working with underprivileged children. Perhaps if I were more extravagant, but, honestly, I consider myself to be a good and hard working person.
 
#269
to be honest sometimes for MOMENTS i feel guilty but the get goes away quickly :yahoo:
i try to balance as much as i can.. i save money, pay all my expenses, buy nessesary things and with the rest i spend on what i like.. i admit i'm a "collector" (17 bags) but i change my bags every week so i end up wearing them all and my mum and sis share with me which is a good thing!
but if bags make you happy like me its ok if you buy them but for me i have a limit to how much i pay for them EXCEPT chanel cause the prices of the bags i want will never go down if i want a brand new one!
 
#270
I see your point... sometimes the affairs of this world can bring you down... everyone should do their part, and I donate alot to Goodwill and give whenever asked if I would like to donate to this or that.....
When I look at my LV bags, wallets, odds & ends ...
My Serotonin , Endorphins level rise .. and I just feel so happy... it's like instant therapy, no matter how bad my day... I just got the Delightful GM... and when I wear it out , it puts a spring in my step... especially when I catch women carrying the Artsy steal a glimpse of it... makes me smile to myself when I catch them looking.... These bags are worth every penny , I swear !
 
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