How did you afford your Cartier Love pieces?

[yayaisnan]

I live rent-free with my parents and I'm in no rush to move out any time soon. I have more than enough for a house deposit, lots of savings and a good job. However, even though I'm very fortunate to be in a position where I could buy the Love bracelet tomorrow if I wanted to I just can't bring myself to do it. The only luxury items I want are the Love Bracelet and a Chanel Classic flap and what stops me is constantly thinking about how many people could be fed on the cost of those items, people in my own neighbourhood struggling and also with my parents growing up poor, I don't think I could ever justify it.
So yeah I'm very conflicted and not sure what to do.

sounds like you are in the same boat as me, minus the rent- free. I think this is enough to justify it alone! I live in NYC, so if i stayed home for 3 months I could make the cost back for the bracelet. Try to think of this way.. you could have been spending that money on rent and it would have already been gone. Get the bracelet if you can afford it, it would have technically gone to rent anyway. I know what you mean about the parents though. It makes me feel guilty to get something they couldn't afford at my age or even now with their other priorities. In my experience, the joy of bags goes away once you get it. Stick to the Love

 

[yayaisnan]

Imo you shouldn't have to apologize for your success and fortunate circumstances! You can still acknowledge that you are the beneficiary of privilege, but enjoy the fruits of your labor at the same time. Life is too short to go around feeling guilty all of the time. If it would ease your conscience, you can make a donation at the time of your purchase to your favorite charity, or take your parents for a nice dinner to thank them for all they have done for you.

Great idea

 

[mariaosullivan]

Imo you shouldn't have to apologize for your success and fortunate circumstances! You can still acknowledge that you are the beneficiary of privilege, but enjoy the fruits of your labor at the same time. Life is too short to go around feeling guilty all of the time. If it would ease your conscience, you can make a donation at the time of your purchase to your favorite charity, or take your parents for a nice dinner to thank them for all they have done for you.

Thank you for your kind reply. I think I will bite the bullet and buy it soon - I need to find out when the price increases are for Cartier though. I do know they don't increase as fast as a Chanel

 

[mariaosullivan]

sounds like you are in the same boat as me, minus the rent- free. I think this is enough to justify it alone! I live in NYC, so if i stayed home for 3 months I could make the cost back for the bracelet. Try to think of this way.. you could have been spending that money on rent and it would have already been gone. Get the bracelet if you can afford it, it would have technically gone to rent anyway. I know what you mean about the parents though. It makes me feel guilty to get something they couldn't afford at my age or even now with their other priorities. In my experience, the joy of bags goes away once you get it. Stick to the Love

Thank you so much for the advice. I definitely have never looked at it like that before. I guess you only live once so treat yourself

 

[futurewoman]

I live rent-free with my parents and I'm in no rush to move out any time soon. I have more than enough for a house deposit, lots of savings and a good job. However, even though I'm very fortunate to be in a position where I could buy the Love bracelet tomorrow if I wanted to I just can't bring myself to do it. The only luxury items I want are the Love Bracelet and a Chanel Classic flap and what stops me is constantly thinking about how many people could be fed on the cost of those items, people in my own neighbourhood struggling and also with my parents growing up poor, I don't think I could ever justify it.
So yeah I'm very conflicted and not sure what to do.

I was in a very similar situation about a decade ago! Looking back on it, I don’t at all regret the biggest purchase I made, which was a Rolex. I still love it, and now I look forward to passing it on to one of my sons one day (it’s a men’s Datejust).

It’s ok to take advantage of a good situation!

 

[chanel_hermes_lover]

I'm a similar age to you, and I bought the bracelet with my own money when I was 26. The way I see life, there will always be things you "should" be doing with your money, or things that will net much higher returns (investment, saving for house, etc), but it's a balance between doing the responsible thing and doing things that make you happy. If I were to die tomorrow (not saying I would), I wouldn't regret enjoying my life within my means. I had the same mindset pre-Covid and I'm so happy I took those vacations, flew business class, because I wouldn't even be able to do that now if I wanted to.

Also, you have more time to enjoy your purchase I used to worry that once I had kids, I wouldn't spend money on myself anymore, but the ladies on TPF show me you can still do so in moderation heh

 

[mariaosullivan]

I'm a similar age to you, and I bought the bracelet with my own money when I was 26. The way I see life, there will always be things you "should" be doing with your money, or things that will net much higher returns (investment, saving for house, etc), but it's a balance between doing the responsible thing and doing things that make you happy. If I were to die tomorrow (not saying I would), I wouldn't regret enjoying my life within my means. I had the same mindset pre-Covid and I'm so happy I took those vacations, flew business class, because I wouldn't even be able to do that now if I wanted to.

Also, you have more time to enjoy your purchase I used to worry that once I had kids, I wouldn't spend money on myself anymore, but the ladies on TPF show me you can still do so in moderation heh

I love your outlook on this. I think being in lockdown for almost a year due to Covid (I live in the UK) has made me think more like life is short so I need to treat myself. Also I'm very fortunate to have worked from home full-time through Covid and I have saved so much money from not going out/cancelled holidays

 

[ChanelCartier]

Great idea

Let us know what you decide!

 

[yayaisnan]

I'm a similar age to you, and I bought the bracelet with my own money when I was 26. The way I see life, there will always be things you "should" be doing with your money, or things that will net much higher returns (investment, saving for house, etc), but it's a balance between doing the responsible thing and doing things that make you happy. If I were to die tomorrow (not saying I would), I wouldn't regret enjoying my life within my means. I had the same mindset pre-Covid and I'm so happy I took those vacations, flew business class, because I wouldn't even be able to do that now if I wanted to.

Also, you have more time to enjoy your purchase I used to worry that once I had kids, I wouldn't spend money on myself anymore, but the ladies on TPF show me you can still do so in moderation heh

This is so true!! I think I'm going to go for it

 

[bisousx]

I'm a similar age to you, and I bought the bracelet with my own money when I was 26. The way I see life, there will always be things you "should" be doing with your money, or things that will net much higher returns (investment, saving for house, etc), but it's a balance between doing the responsible thing and doing things that make you happy. If I were to die tomorrow (not saying I would), I wouldn't regret enjoying my life within my means. I had the same mindset pre-Covid and I'm so happy I took those vacations, flew business class, because I wouldn't even be able to do that now if I wanted to.

Also, you have more time to enjoy your purchase I used to worry that once I had kids, I wouldn't spend money on myself anymore, but the ladies on TPF show me you can still do so in moderation heh

You make a great point - while many moms on TPF are happily spoiled, I’ve seen too many of my gfs IRL neglect themselves and are neglected (not spoiled by partner) after having kids. It’s a good reason to treat yourself if you have other savings and it won’t make a huge difference in a near-future investment.

 

[wenlet]

I didn’t buy my first Cartier piece until I was in my mid30s and I had wanted one for 10 years! Although I could have splashed on more jewelry earlier I diligently saved and I bought a house last year in the SF Bay Area, no regrets on focusing on house savings first and making sure I really wanted the piece of jewelry before getting it

 

[DesignerDarling]

I didn’t buy my first Cartier piece until I was in my mid30s and I had wanted one for 10 years! Although I could have splashed on more jewelry earlier I diligently saved and I bought a house last year in the SF Bay Area, no regrets on focusing on house savings first and making sure I really wanted the piece of jewelry before getting it

Woo! Fellow Bay Area homeowner here too!

 

[Luiza Spindola]

I live rent-free with my parents and I'm in no rush to move out any time soon. I have more than enough for a house deposit, lots of savings and a good job. However, even though I'm very fortunate to be in a position where I could buy the Love bracelet tomorrow if I wanted to I just can't bring myself to do it. The only luxury items I want are the Love Bracelet and a Chanel Classic flap and what stops me is constantly thinking about how many people could be fed on the cost of those items, people in my own neighbourhood struggling and also with my parents growing up poor, I don't think I could ever justify it.
So yeah I'm very conflicted and not sure what to do.

Hi!! I'm in the same situation. I went to college, graduated and got a good job. but I think I will disappoint my parents if I buy the bracelet, because I think they may want bigger and more important things than a love bracelet, you know? How to buy a car or a house. here in Brazil, Cartier is soooo expensive. The bracelet is something I really want and for me it will be like the symbol of an achievement, both personal and professional
I hope we get a light on how to go

 

[Swtshan7]

I’ve wanted one forever and I am in my late 30’s. I go back and forward over feeling guilty....there are 4 pieces I wanted but this year with my bonus I think I am actually finally going to go for it. Pretty much decided on getting the yellow gold love cuff and a small yellow juc ring with part of my annual bonus. Then saving up this year for the small JUC bracelet.

 

[Model T]

TL;DR - you know yourself best. if you’ll feel guilty don’t “waste” the $.

So, I used to have a $20 “gold” bracelet that I LOVED. Literally wore it all the time, then it broke. I decided I wanted something that would last forever and actually was looking into a David Yurman bracelet before my bff recommended Cartier. I fell in love - haha. Anyway, I have no kids and a job that I am very grateful to have so I bought it once I had the chance. I’m fairly impulsive. It was a gift to myself after a very difficult and emotional time during the onset of covid and it truly makes me smile every single time I look at it. Like it’s actually insane, it feels like I got the bracelet yesterday still!! And now I want more - but everything in moderation. I only feel uncomfortable about the price of my Love when OTHER people point it out on me and then say “omg so you spent $xxxx??” It feels like a spotlight is on me and I hate it, I would rather just wear the bracelet in peace.

Also I always think it’s interesting when people say the money could go to helping people because my next question is why not donate it? You can do both, nothing wrong with treating yourself AND helping others at the same time however if it makes you uncomfortable then definitely don’t buy it because you won’t feel good about it afterwards. Who wants to spend upwards of $6k and feel sad?