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

[CornishMon]

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.

+1000 this was awesome advice here!

 

[Tsundere]

Agree it with Apey's post soooo much
!!! If you want a bag, I can't stress enough how important the researching part is. It may be partly because I'm studying in a scientific field, but it can pay off immensely for everyone.

This forum can also unintentionally bring pressure onto you without someone directly doing so through a reveal, opinion posts, or photos. Don't buy a bag on a whim because you've always wanted a bag from a specific designer. You may end up with something that can't fit the things you carry everyday, a material that doesn't work for your weather where you live, or it just falls flat of your expectations.
I feel so sad when I see photos of someone's unused purses that they bought because an SA or a friend pressured them into getting.

 

[luv2bling]

Agree it with Apey's post soooo much
!!! If you want a bag, I can't stress enough how important the researching part is. It may be partly because I'm studying in a scientific field, but it can pay off immensely for everyone.

This forum can also unintentionally bring pressure onto you without someone directly doing so through a reveal, opinion posts, or photos. Don't buy a bag on a whim because you've always wanted a bag from a specific designer. You may end up with something that can't fit the things you carry everyday, a material that doesn't work for your weather where you live, or it just falls flat of your expectations.
I feel so sad when I see photos of someone's unused purses that they bought because an SA or a friend pressured them into getting.

Oh so true - I almost fell victim to those circumstances. It seems like I am drawn to the reveal posts and until last week was checking pricing and sales locations on several brands. I access the forum daily to research and learn about bags. I love the colors of Bal Bags = but not the designs so much - yet I was considering purchasing one until last week. I've confirmed that Bal and BV bags are not for my liking - but I love the clean line of the Chloe Marcie and I love the look of the Miu Miu Maltlasse. Research is key and a money saver.

 

[misskris03]

Agree it with Apey's post soooo much
!!! If you want a bag, I can't stress enough how important the researching part is. It may be partly because I'm studying in a scientific field, but it can pay off immensely for everyone.

This forum can also unintentionally bring pressure onto you without someone directly doing so through a reveal, opinion posts, or photos. Don't buy a bag on a whim because you've always wanted a bag from a specific designer. You may end up with something that can't fit the things you carry everyday, a material that doesn't work for your weather where you live, or it just falls flat of your expectations.
I feel so sad when I see photos of someone's unused purses that they bought because an SA or a friend pressured them into getting.

This is spot on.

 

[tortoiseperson]

This thread or at least these last few posts should be pinned, for their wisdom!

I have more bags in my wardrobe than I now need or want - despite having moved on a lot. I regret the singlemindedness with which I pursued them, almost frantically, and now look back and shake my head.

 

[Iv7]

As a SA who sells handbags, if any SA or friend/family is pushing you or pressuring you, even nicely, like "ohhh that looks so gorgeous on you....you deserve it!"....

Just kindly tell them
1. "I just think about it for a while thanks"
2. "Please just give me some space to think about it thanks."

You don't need to let them pressure you because it's 99% not them buying the bag for you. Don't think about what Sales Associates' pressures: they just want to sell you as much as possible so they can still receive a paycheck and have a job.

Anything in stores look extra beautiful when our eyes first look at the product. Don't be scared to just ask for some space and time to reconsider all the details: you're the boss and it's your money.

 

[zestylemons]

I absolutely love this thread and the answers.

I save my money up and buy my bags that way. Or, my current favourite, selling stuff I don't need on eBay. Great way to feed my obsession and clear my clutter at the same time ;D

 

[HiTechGirl]

DH and I both work and since we don't have children once the bills are paid we pretty much buy what we want and don't give each other much grief over it.

I used to buy a dozen or more bags a year but have cut down lately to two or three and started selling some of my older ones on eBay.

 

[bella601]

Agree it with Apey's post soooo much

!!! If you want a bag, I can't stress enough how important the researching part is. It may be partly because I'm studying in a scientific field, but it can pay off immensely for everyone.



This forum can also unintentionally bring pressure onto you without someone directly doing so through a reveal, opinion posts, or photos. Don't buy a bag on a whim because you've always wanted a bag from a specific designer. You may end up with something that can't fit the things you carry everyday, a material that doesn't work for your weather where you live, or it just falls flat of your expectations.

I feel so sad when I see photos of someone's unused purses that they bought because an SA or a friend pressured them into getting.

Agreed!!! The proper research should be done before purchasing

 

[cbk021726]

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.

I so agree with you 1000%.. #2 happened to me and ended #4 ... Learned my lesson eventually ... now im being very careful on my purchases ..

 

[covetcoco]

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.

I do a similar thing ZoobaAruba, in the way I allocate my cash in portions to particular accounts and am always revising and researching my wishlist before making a purchase it is rare these days for me to feel guilty for buying something expensuve because I use this process to "qualify" things beforehand. I also think it makes the experience of shopping for said items that much more special/fun/enjoyable/satisfying. I like to look forward to the thrill of the "acquisition". After some years of irresponsible impulse spending in my youth, I like the feeling of being in control now.

So, to answer the question in this post, I save for my bags and generally buy one or two per year and usually those occasions coincide with travel (I have only bought two of my bags in Melb where I live).

 

[ZoobaAruba]

I do a similar thing ZoobaAruba, in the way I allocate my cash in portions to particular accounts and am always revising and researching my wishlist before making a purchase it is rare these days for me to feel guilty for buying something expensuve because I use this process to "qualify" things beforehand. I also think it makes the experience of shopping for said items that much more special/fun/enjoyable/satisfying. I like to look forward to the thrill of the "acquisition". After some years of irresponsible impulse spending in my youth, I like the feeling of being in control now.

So, to answer the question in this post, I save for my bags and generally buy one or two per year and usually those occasions coincide with travel (I have only bought two of my bags in Melb where I live).

I totally agree, makes the experience so much better.

 

[Frchgrl]

Back in 2006 I walked into a Chanel boutique and opened an account with Nieman Marcus and bought a lambskin flap Chanel. What a high. Loved that bag.


Then realized that for all the stuff I like to carry in a purse, it was drooping a bit. I stopped using it. What a waste I thought. So, I got it refurbished and sold it on eBay. I got use of it so I was okay with the little loss.


I paid off the credit card years later.


I'd love to do that again I must admit but won't. Rather I just bought a vintage Chanel that needs some work and just took it to Chanel boutique to get a makeover. I'll probably go that route for a little while.


Also bought a vintage Gucci for a deal and don't mind having pre-loved. These I'm paying cash for. I make decent money. But not enough to justify walking into a boutique and paying $3000 cash. sigh

 

[fridaymegan]

I'm almost 27 but I'm pretty good with my money. I paid off college in 1.5 years and my brand new car in 1.

As for affording purses, the three I have right now I got because my mom won a giftcard to Henri Bendel for $1500 so I got them! Now I have a Coach Page Shoulder bag on the way to treat myself. I recently loss someone and got an small bonus from work so I put it towards that.

FYI my job doesn't pay great. $10 bucks an hour to take care of people is ridiculous! But I am in the process of moving out and getting a better job so hopefully more purses!

 

[MASEML]

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.

Apey, well written and said. This is so true.