How do you afford your bags and how many per year? Credit debt or millionare lover?

[Ludmilla]

@apey-grapey and papertiger

Very very good and thoughtful posts! There is (I think) nothing more to add.
Just one thing: save the money before getting the bag. So you don't get into debt for a bag. And the saving process helps to rethink the whole purchase before it is done.

 

[ZoobaAruba]

I know approximately how much I need for daily expenses in a month and keep that much in my main account. I transfer the rest of my salary to a savings account and shop from that, so I buy cash, not credit.

I try to research and think about my "wishlist" items a lot before buying anything. I have a folder on my computer with pictures of all my wishlist items, and I put the price as the name of the image. That way similarly priced items are displayed next to each other and I can visually compare the things I like in a specific price range.

 

[Gretchen76]

You absolutely deserve it. Sounds like you have done a lot for your kids, putting them first. You sound like you have made good plans for your future, work hard and are sensible about what is realistic.

IMHO the best thing is to pick an item fitting your needs meaning is this a daily bag, evening bag, etc. Narrow down to brands you love and see which brand has the best style for you and you are comfortable with the price. I would suggest starting with a bag for example a WOC from Chanel if that fits your needs or if a more expensive item look into pre-loved.

Save the money even if it takes a while. I didn't buy my first bag until I was 50. I started with Burberry as I could afford it. It cost $240 for a very small bag and at the time i thought that was a lot. I tend to buy more pre-loved bags then new as they are more affordable and gives me the option to buy more than 1. If a bag doesn't work I sell it.

There are folks on TPF that come from many different backgrounds and finances. Do what is comfortable for you but pay cash is my suggestion. If I discussed bags with my family, except for MIL they would think I am nuts so I don't, but I also don't tell them that they are nuts for some of the things they buy. Remember it is something for you to enjoy at a price range that makes you feel ok with your purchase not feel buyers remorse. Let us know what you decide

Thank you

 

[Gretchen76]

Be careful of the Purse Forum slippery slope. Many here joke about it, but it is real - you end up buying bag after bag after bag, spending more than you can and should, because you see all these bags being revealed that you never knew about, and there are so many "enablers" telling you to get both because you "deserve it" and it looks fabulous on you, and your SA is now giving you heads up on pre-orders or pre-sales, etc. You have been warned.

Now I'm not saying you shouldn't get the bag. If you have the money and you're being responsible, why not? But here are a few tips to avoid the slope.

1. Make a list of the bags you want ( hopefully it won't be a long list) in the order of how much you are aching to have them.

2. If there is a specific designer bag you want, buy that bag and only that bag. Do not compromise with similar bags from other designers, copies, knock-offs, etc! Compromising is unfulfilling and you will end up spending more in the process.

3. If you have several bags on the top of your list, buy the classic that keep going up in price first. If it turns out not to work for you, you can resell and recoup a big part of the cost.

4. Speaking of "not working out", research, research, research. The brands you list are very expensive and bad purchases could be costly so you want to make sure the bag/shoes looks good on you/fits, that it functions as you expect, and that you can wear it when you want.

5. Similar to my last point in #4, use your bag. There are soooooo many people here who post about not wearing their bags because they're a) too expensive b) too delicate c) don't suit their lifestyle d) get snarky comments from coworkers/friends/relatives. If you're going to be like that, then don't buy the bag because it would just take up your money, closet space, and make you feel bad in the process.

6. Finally, be self-aware. Don't get swept up in the hoopla. Buy the bag you want because you want it - not because of some external pressure or the internal pressure of your fantasy life.

thanks so much for your feed back. I was really helpful. NOOO fake ones..I would never do a fake one

 

[Gretchen76]

+1
If I ever find myself "needing" to find some way to afford a specific bag, that'll be a red flag.

Well if a person who isn't rich lived by that logic we wouldn't have anything nice. We have to save, and splurge every once in awhile. We work hard and we get to reward our self sometimes.

 

[Gretchen76]

Thank you everyone for comments. I appreciate the help.

 

[remainsilly]

Well if a person who isn't rich lived by that logic we wouldn't have anything nice. We have to save, and splurge every once in awhile. We work hard and we get to reward our self sometimes.

My point isn't about being rich or not.
It's about not being driven by "need" & internal/external pressures, rather than choice.
It's about using money as one wants, not as others dictate.

I don't recall it being directed specifically @ you, but thread topic.
Please save the lectures about working hard, until you've walked in my shoes.

 

[Gretchen76]

hey I know a lot of you have experience with buying bags, What about online websites? Can you give me any suggestions about any reputable ones? What about Luxe, fashiohphile, or Yoogi? Please let me know of any others? Thank you.

 

[Gretchen76]

My point isn't about being rich or not.
It's about not being driven by "need" & internal/external pressures, rather than choice.
It's about using money as one wants, not as others dictate.

I don't recall it being directed specifically @ you, but thread topic.
Please save the lectures about working hard, until you've walked in my shoes.

Right, I simply replied. Thank you for your input.

 

[Gretchen76]

hey I know a lot of you have experience with buying bags, What about online websites? Can you give me any suggestions about any reputable ones? What about Luxe, fashiohphile, or Yoogi? Please let me know of any others? Thank you.

never mind i found them

 

[luvprada]

I have purchased from Ann's Fabulous Finds, Yoogi's and Chanel Touch (vintage) and had wonderful experience with each. I started by looking at what each site considered in their opinion what is "like new', gently used etc to each other. Not just the 3 sites but others listed on the reputable list also. This gave me a chance to do picture comparisons against the wording. I have seen handbags I have been interested in but hesitated to push buy and they get sold. I find that if I hesitate another does eventually show up (kind of like if u miss 1 bus there is always another one) and I never felt like I missed out.

Take your time and enjoy the 'hunt' but like others have said don't get wrapped up in wanting one more. I myself have never done that of course (I say this while I start choking). (What happens if I told a lie?) Yes. I did some of that and did regret. I also regretted buying something that wasn't quite what I wanted. So imho take all the time you need to be sure. Take care.

 

[TejasMama]

Hello to everyone I am brand spanking new to this website. Please be nice... As you all know I can not post my own thread until 5 days have past and I have posted 5 replies. I was wondering the same thing (the title of this thread). I love handbags. I have done a little reading on here about how some people pay for them. I do not own a designer bag yet. I love them though. I want one so bad.
One does not have to be rich to love, or want nice things. I am a single mother. I am a RN but my children are grown now. My youngest is still home but she is 17 and she has a job. I would like to think after raising them by myself I deserve a splurge. I have always put them first. I put myself through school. I worked hard to take care of them. I am not rich by far. I may have to save for a nice bag. I feel so guilty. Should I?
I don't drive a really nice car. I honestly don't care about stuff like that. I like nice clothes but I have to get back in the gym first (lol) but I don't spend a whole lot on clothes. My vices are my hair, would be handbags and OMG shoes. I mean come on can't I? I am not trying to copy the rich, or live outside of my means. I just loooooovvvvveee LV bags, and Chanel bags. I want one of each. I would love more. I could give you a list of bags I would love to have, but if I could just get one LV and one Chanel I would be so happy. I know this is the purse forum, but add some Louboutin's, Giuseppe's, and Jimmy Choo's to that I would be satisfied.
I reiterate I am not rich and I do not come from a rich family so when I speak of these things my family looks at me like I am a lunatic. They tell me I am crazy and stupid for even considering spending thousands of dollars on a purse or on shoes. My children tell me I am nuts tell me and proceed to tell me all of the things I can do for them with that money. They are okay. They all work. One is 22, one is almost 20 in college, and I already mentioned my daughter.
I am not on any government assistance trying to carry a designer bag. I am working and getting ready to go to grad school. Why can't I have this. I found this forum and I feel like a lot of the women here may have more money than I do, but you all understand the love and the desire for one of these purses.
I am interested in how do some of you pay for your bags, those of you who are not wealthy. Do you just splurge with a lump sum? Do you pick a bag, get the price and just start putting money a way? I feel like I am ready to do it. I deserve this right? It is my money and I am not going to feel guilty about. I am buying at the very least, each of these bags. I just need to get started. Sorry for the long post.

Gretchen--you have obviously worked very hard and raised your kids on your own, maintained a career and are now going back to school. Yes, if you want a certain bag (or two), there is no reason why you shouldn't have it.

There is already some fantastic advice here that I hope you will consider. I would add that you should really think about which bag you would get to carry most often and enjoy most, based on your current lifestyle. You don't want to spend a lot of money only to have it sitting in your closet.

Finally, indulge your conversations for bags here. Please don't put yourself in a position to have to justify what you spend your money on with family, kids or friends--they have their own criteria and you have yours. You don't need anyone's approval and you don't need to justify your choices. You have obviously spent your money well and taken care of your kids and others around you. So, save your money for that coveted bag, enjoy it, and resist the urge to justify your decisions. You'll enjoy it far more that way.

And welcome to TPF!

 

[barbee]

Gretchen,
I read your post yesterday, and thought about it so much today. As I read all the replies others have given you, it seems like all the great advice is there! So I will only add what I have learned through the few designer bags I have purchased in the last six years or so(and they have been few!) My most expensive purchase to date is a Chanel I bought while in New York city with my daughter her senior year of high school. I have such great memories of that Chanel, and it is something beautiful she will someday inherit. But...do I use it much? No. It is not huge, so just trying to fit a small wallet, sunglasses, reading glasses(to read the menu, because of course that's about the only time I use it, for a night out, involving dinner) becomes a chore. So it is is not very practical for me. Most of my friends do not even know a designer bag. So if I do buy something new, I have only my family to really show it off to. But I do buy it for me, so it needs to fit my likestyle. Therefore, for you, possibly you might want the bag you can use daily, feel really comfortable, but not conspicuous. It should hold everything you need, and very easily--shouldn't a bag help you, rather than being stressful? I bought a Gucci bucket bag this fall, and while I do love it, it is taller than wider, so hence, more difficult to get a wallet, etc out. In the spring, I bought a Gucci swing tote--very wide, and it is effortless to pull sunglasses, or anything out. My daughter bought her first upscale bag with her tax refund last year--a LV Neverfull, and she fills it with two phones, ipad, etc for work. And it works beautifully for her, and I know she is proud to wear it. So I guess what I am saying, the handbag you choose should be similar to your favorite pair of jeans--fits well and you find yourself wanting to wear it/them more often than anything else.
From my very limited experience of checking sites for pre-loved bags, LV and Chanel hold their prices so well, so if you only save a few hundred dollars by buying used, might it not be worth it to pay the full price and have the thrill of actually buying it from the boutique, and knowing it is pristine? I know this does not hold true for all brands(I would'nt want to call myself a liar, as I just today purchased a used bag on line, but paid $800 for a $2000+ bag--Chloe Baylee) but might be a consideration for the brands you are thinking about.
Others have their passions--not handbags, but boats, new cars, etc. so you are entitled to yours!

 

[elvisfan4life]

Be careful of the Purse Forum slippery slope. Many here joke about it, but it is real - you end up buying bag after bag after bag, spending more than you can and should, because you see all these bags being revealed that you never knew about, and there are so many "enablers" telling you to get both because you "deserve it" and it looks fabulous on you, and your SA is now giving you heads up on pre-orders or pre-sales, etc. You have been warned.

Now I'm not saying you shouldn't get the bag. If you have the money and you're being responsible, why not? But here are a few tips to avoid the slope.

1. Make a list of the bags you want ( hopefully it won't be a long list) in the order of how much you are aching to have them.

2. If there is a specific designer bag you want, buy that bag and only that bag. Do not compromise with similar bags from other designers, copies, knock-offs, etc! Compromising is unfulfilling and you will end up spending more in the process.

3. If you have several bags on the top of your list, buy the classic that keep going up in price first. If it turns out not to work for you, you can resell and recoup a big part of the cost.

4. Speaking of "not working out", research, research, research. The brands you list are very expensive and bad purchases could be costly so you want to make sure the bag/shoes looks good on you/fits, that it functions as you expect, and that you can wear it when you want.

5. Similar to my last point in #4, use your bag. There are soooooo many people here who post about not wearing their bags because they're a) too expensive b) too delicate c) don't suit their lifestyle d) get snarky comments from coworkers/friends/relatives. If you're going to be like that, then don't buy the bag because it would just take up your money, closet space, and make you feel bad in the process.

6. Finally, be self-aware. Don't get swept up in the hoopla. Buy the bag you want because you want it - not because of some external pressure or the internal pressure of your fantasy life.

Excellent post....unless everyone on here is in the top 1% of earners or net worth individuals...some must be in financial trouble trying to keep up ...dont fall into that trap..If i could go back and live the last 10years again...i wouldnt buy a small fraction of the bags i have done...we live and learn..i try to avoid this place as much as possible these days

 

[ap.]

thanks so much for your feed back. I was really helpful. NOOO fake ones..I would never do a fake one

... I have seen handbags I have been interested in but hesitated to push buy and they get sold. I find that if I hesitate another does eventually show up (kind of like if u miss 1 bus there is always another one) and I never felt like I missed out...

I agree. Another one always come along. Many people fall into the trap of rushing to buy a bag because they're afraid of missing out. But don't be, because another one that you like as much or even better will always comes along. That color will come around again, or you'll see it in the the sale rack or resale market (for a lower price). So take heart and take your time.