Family and Friends give you grief over your Handbag addiction?

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Just curios if others hear the same lectures I do.

I constantly get so much grief from family and some friends about my handbag addiction. People cant understand it and think it's nuts to hear somebody spent $500+ on a bag. I would say in an average month I go through at least 3 new bags. Now I also will turn right around and sell them in order to fund the next purchase. But I cant help it, I just love bags. I could no joke browse bags online all day. I have a few friends that are into designer bags but none that are really the same way I am. I find myself even hiding purchases. It's not about the money as I would never fund a handbag purchase before paying bills. I also have never paid for a bag with a CC, always cash. I'm at a point now where I have enough money from selling bags to always cover the next bag. But I just find myself not wanting to hear "you dont need that, not another one, looks just like the last one, how much this time....". I guess what I'm getting at is if it's not causing financial stress, I'm not hurting anyone else, why does everyone care so much what you spend on a bag? Why do they care so much if you get several bags at a time?

Anyone else in my shoes?
 
my ex boyfriend used to "feel sick" when i'd spend a few (or more) grand on a new handbag or shoes, or anything for that matter. it made him literally want to vomit because he stressed over money once he bought his own house, and i still live carefree in the money department. i couldn't stand the grief he caused me.. he went from buying me tons, to not wanting me to spend my OWN money on them! (definitely not complaining that he stopped buying me them though, having a boyfriend with his own place is much better :P)

a few of my friends also "hate on me" when i spend large amounts because they are not in the position to do so.. but too bad, i'm not going to be frugal because they are/have to be.. :)

its all about what you choose to spend your money on.. your priorities may be opposite your family and friends and thats the way it is. :)
 
eh...my dbf certainly doesn't understand the way I spend money on purses..but I think just..different backgrounds have different perspectives on the matter. He grew up with very little money and yes, he gets that I'm a girl and I enjoy purses, shoes and fashion etc, but he doesn't understand my need for 10 Chanel flaps in different colors..

My friends understand my background and love to go shopping with me...though none of them came from similar backgrounds, they didn't judge me or lecture me on how I used my money..I think I've been really fortunate about that, to not have "hater"-ish friends but friends who celebrated my purchases with me!

It's your money..you earned it(or it was given but that doesn't matter either). You should be able to spend it how you want..as long as you can afford it without going into debt, and you can pay the rest of your bills and you're not hurting anyone...

OP, don't let what other people say phase you. If you love it, get it....people are always going to talk but it is up to you whether or not you consider their opinions valid...they're just speaking from their experiences and from their own values...they're not you, meow!
 
I think it's usually one of two things. A lot of people don't "get" handbags and they don't see them as something that's worth the prices that we pay for them. Or, they're just jealous that they themselves can't afford what you can, so they give you a hard time. There's really nothing you can do though, you just have to learn to ignore them. I do generally find that people who criticize me for how much my bags cost have something that they spend a lot of money on such as eating out, electronics, or hair salons/spas. These people usually shut up very quickly once you point this out.
 
My friends give me grief all the time. I have a job that allows me the freedom to spend $$$ on a bag, so what's the problem? My live in boyfriend is worse. He is very conservative when it comes to money and just doesn't get spending $500-$1300 on a bag. I have to hide it from him at times so I can avoid a lecture. It's MY money, not his!

Funny story---I ordered a Balenciaga City a couple weeks ago and didn't tell him. My mother and I agreed to tell him that she had bought it for me for x-mas. I was going to take it home with me the next time I visited her and have her "gift" it to me.

The plan was perfect! The day my bag arrived, my BF was at work, so I was taking it out of the box and admiring it. All of the sudden I heard the front door open. My BF had forgot his cell phone and had come home at lunch time! I had an open box on the floor, tissue paper everywhere, there was no way to hide it. Panicked, I threw all the stuff in the kitchen and my bag in the closet. I thought he would just get his phone and leave, but no, he went into the kitchen and asked what the box and tissue paper was from. So I told him. I did lie a little about the actual price and told him it was an early x-mas gift from my mom. He was still a bit irritated. Sad that I have to lie about these things!

I also routinely shop online and will throw the boxes in the trunk of my car to hide them. When he's gone, I take them to a dumpster so that he won't find out I was shopping. I mean, as long as I am using my money and not getting into debt, I don't see the problem. It's just easier to avoid an argument LOL!
 
You know... I really dont think any of my friends or family are jelous.. they just think it's straight up ridiculous to spend that kind of money on "just a bag", there are so many other things the money could go for is how they feel. Which at times I wish I didn't love bags so much and wouldn't spend a lot on them but they are my passion.

as one of you stated... I agree, if you add up what others spend on going out, travel, spa... it adds up to a bag.

Heck at times I find myself responding "oh I've had this one, it's not new".
Oh well.. dont see much changing anytime soon.

alrighty loves.. I must go get my beauty sleep now... thanks for the responses..
 
My friends give me grief all the time. I have a job that allows me the freedom to spend $$$ on a bag, so what's the problem? My live in boyfriend is worse. He is very conservative when it comes to money and just doesn't get spending $500-$1300 on a bag. I have to hide it from him at times so I can avoid a lecture. It's MY money, not his!

Funny story---I ordered a Balenciaga City a couple weeks ago and didn't tell him. My mother and I agreed to tell him that she had bought it for me for x-mas. I was going to take it home with me the next time I visited her and have her "gift" it to me.

The plan was perfect! The day my bag arrived, my BF was at work, so I was taking it out of the box and admiring it. All of the sudden I heard the front door open. My BF had forgot his cell phone and had come home at lunch time! I had an open box on the floor, tissue paper everywhere, there was no way to hide it. Panicked, I threw all the stuff in the kitchen and my bag in the closet. I thought he would just get his phone and leave, but no, he went into the kitchen and asked what the box and tissue paper was from. So I told him. I did lie a little about the actual price and told him it was an early x-mas gift from my mom. He was still a bit irritated. Sad that I have to lie about these things!

I also routinely shop online and will throw the boxes in the trunk of my car to hide them. When he's gone, I take them to a dumpster so that he won't find out I was shopping. I mean, as long as I am using my money and not getting into debt, I don't see the problem. It's just easier to avoid an argument LOL!

Ah... this is the one that will be there your whole time with him too. What happens is then they get mad at you for hiding it. When you tell them you hide it because they throw a fit no matter what, they say they don't or try to make you give it all up.

My husband is TOTALLY that way. So, I raise my own money on the side by selling for higher things I find on craigslist to fund any purchases I know he would gag at the price tag just to not deal with the grief, but I still have to be somewhat dishonest and I HATE that.

It doesn't even have anything to do with nt having the money - but him feeling it's a waste of money. And I don't even have much - but ONE is too many in his book. A lot of guys just don't get the material thing girls just seem to need. It's that whole gatherers and hunters thing really. Women like THINGS more than most men. Yet, most men wouldn't think anything of spending big money on an expensive bottle of wine or that huge stereo ssystem where most women would be fine iwth the cheap bottle of wine and walmart stereo system.! LOL
 
yes for mil as i'm staying with them for now. my friends don't judge me as they have cars, travel, regular salon etc lol. my dh has his own expensive hobby so as long as i don't overdo it it's ok. i'm grateful dh doesn't judge about my purchase as it would be very stressful to think of hiding my "hobby" from him for the rest of my life. i had 2 ex bf whom are complete opposite - 1 makes me purchase expensive stuff for the sake of buying, the other makes me only buy inexpensive stuff that i don't enjoy ... and either way is not fun
 
Firstly, people always feel entitled to comment without thinking on other's people's choices. Partners, babies, children's names, schools, careers, travel plans, weddings blah blah blah - the world is literally bursting with small-minded people who can't talk about anything but other people and their choices. Really, I personally cannot imagine commenting on another friend's purchasing habits - it's not me and it's not my business, ergo, I do not comment.

Secondly, and this is the bit that annoys me more (I don't ever really have people commenting on my choices - I think I'm probably too scary) is that the commentary from family and friends is loaded with sexism. You are all independent women spending your money on your choices. Well, we can't have that, can we??! No, of course not!

I hate that it still persists, this idea that women have fewer freedoms than men. Women who earn their own money can and should be allowed to spend it however they d*** well please! End of story!
 
First of all, it's none of their business what you spend your money on. It's your money - not theirs. I have friends who spend hundreds of dollars on partying, drinking, and shoes. I don't spend money on those things nor would I since I don't really care much about shoes. I would never think to spend a lot of money on my hair, but that's just me. Observe what your friends spend a lot of money on and the next time someone makes a comment about your handbag, remind them of their purchases and that you think it's crazy to spend money on what they are spending money on.

People should just mind their own business and keep their rude comments to themselves. That is one of my biggest pet peeves about people. Why should they care what I spend MY money on?
 
Oh, and one more thing. Designer handbags are pricier because of the workmanship, materials/leathers used, the designer name, and on and on. Celebrities carry them so not everyone can afford one, or they can afford one but don't wish to spend that kind of money which is their business. A well made handbag will last you for years and years to come, whereas clothes fashions come and go, people gain/lose weight, etc. Handbags are also beautiful to look at and can really dress up jeans/t-shirts. To me they are an accessory, no different (at least I believe) than jewelery. They can be used for most any occasion and carried every day of the week if the person chooses to do so. You really do get your money's worth.

I don't see why so many people are so shocked at the high prices of handbags. People spend so much more money on other more useless things, but for some reason that's okay. I know some men who have really expenses electronic and car hobbies, but oh that's okay as well.
 
I have "Attitude" with a capital "A" when it comes to expensive handbags and shoes. First off, I grew up without things most people take for granted, but I worked my way through university, graduated and landed a great job.

After I paid off my student loan$$$$$, I slowly began buying what I wished--within reason, of course--and I never carry credit debt from one month to the next. As long as my mortgage and other bills are paid, I really don't care what OTHERS think or say, and this includes parents, siblings, friends, etc.

Do what I do, IGNORE THEM ALL.

:heart:
 
I agree with everything posted! I know so many times people mock my bags since they don't "get it" and are not ALWAYS being mean and I remind them that we all have our "things" like a co-worker who didn't understand who I kindly reminded that she had a second house in a different state and that wasn't something I had. But other times, I KNOW it is jealousy and it seems so silly to me. I am happy for people when they get something they love but sometimes others try to make me feel bad. I won't have it and I know I work 2 jobs and DH works the equivalent to 2 and we cut back in other areas to have what WE think is important.
 
I wonder if any of those people who give you grief have a smoking habit? I don't smoke, but I think cigs are anywhere from $5.00 to $7.00 a pack, depending where you live. Maybe even more. I don't think any of my bags cost me $5.00 a day to wear when I consider their life cycle. People should just butt out of your business.....(no pun intended)!
 
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