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

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#1,381
No kids, house is paid for...we have money set aside to play with, along with investments that give us very very nice returns. Due to this, neither my husband or I HAVE to work, (even though we should) and we are both in college pursuing higher education in fields we are interested in...not what we feel would make us the most money. We have come a long way...a few years ago, we were very broke...like $20 in the checking account broke. I didn't own a single handbag back then...I carried a wallet in my back pocket like a dude. But we turned it around with some help and now we are great.
We don't really spend a lot of money in general. We remember how it was. The biggest splurge is handbags, really. You never know when something could go wrong with the car, house, etc.
And credit cards...I only have one. A Visa with a $500 limit I got when I was 18 to help build my credit. :D
 
#1,382
This is a really interesting thread- it's especially nice to hear from other folks like myself who are doing well but still have to prioritize. I often feel bad that of my moderate-good income, I spend a yearly percentage on handbags that most might consider obscene, or at the very least extremely frivolous. I don't have credit cards (I'm paranoid about debt and how dangerous a CC could be in my bag-hungry hands) or a significant other at the moment and it feels really good to buy myself a bag now and again- empowering, almost. I'm self-employed and my income has been getting progressively higher and higher the past few years, so I've been able to buy bags I've always wanted and could never afford- and it's an incredibly satisfying feeling to know that I can satisfy my upscale taste in bags because of my own hard work.

I probably buy 10-20 bags per year on average- usually a whole bunch for three months or so, then three 'off' months and so on- but I sell and give away a lot too.
 
#1,384
I am only 20 years old, second year of college pre-med major. My parents are by no means wealthy (far from it), but care a lot about my education so they pay for my car,insurance,cell phone, school (although I put half the loan in my name) and I have a credit card linked to my parents account for the necessities. I work two part time jobs and the money from that goes towards my overwhelming shopping/bag addiction! I recently just opened a cc this year that I am hoping to pay off in the next two months (I am not using that card anymore!!). Also I am lucky to have a BF that is so kind and generous. He comes from a wealthy family so for holidays (and sometimes surprise presents) he will buy me a bag/designer shoes/ etc.

While in high school I mainly carried brands like Lucky brand, juicy couture, cole haan, and mbmj. But ever since college (and TPF!) I have moved on to premiere designers for my clothing, shoes, and of course bags! So far this year I have purchased 4 bags (i need to slow down!!). Two of them were bought pre-loved though so I did not have to pay retail. I also sell on ebay which helps!
 
#1,385
My husband and me, work together in our own enterprise,my weakness is fashion, I have no other vice, do not smoke, do not drink, and much work .......... and so unique is what I spend the money is in my bags, my shoes, my clothes, etc. ..
 
#1,386
still enjoy the thrill of the chase in spite of my financial situation is... if I had

more money I would still look for things that I want on ebay and I had less would

still enjoy finding things for less.. perhaps not as many.. you become much more

selective.. you buy out of need not out of want or because I can have it..
 
#1,387
My husband and I have a business that's been doing well for the past years. Don't have any other vices. I buy at least 3 bags per year. I pay in credit card specially when i'm in other country.
 
#1,388
I try to pay cash for my bags, but I'll use a CC once in awhile, very rarely. I have my eye on an LV Damier Ebene Speedy 30 that I've obsessed over for years and think I deserve. Like so many of you, I have no other vices; I don't smoke, drink, go out to clubs, etc. And I'm coming out of a really rough patch over 4 years and I feel I deserve a treat. I have a decent job as a computer tech, and I'm supporting my daughter who is still in college. I'm going to put the speedy on my CC around Christmas (and before LV hikes up the prices again) and pay off the CC with my income tax return. I'm excited!
 
#1,389
I pay for my handbags with credit card but pay up my bills in full all the time. I earn enough to sustain my lifestyle and is an obsessive saver at the same time. I don't usually buy handbags at their RRP, always have the patience to wait till a sale or when a pre-loved bag comes into my path.
 
#1,390
I know I've answered in this thread before and have been thinking more about the question. I think it comes down to one thing: "purchasing". No matter what the purchase is, one should buy what they can afford to pay. That said, I had the opportunity of affording a very highly expensive handbag after selling a vintage piece of jewelry, but when it finally came to making the plunge, I opted out and bought what was in my realm of spending and have the money left over to save!
 
#1,391
I always pay with cash for high-end bags and if I cannot afford a brand-new bag from the store, I will do one of 3 things:
1) Save up money for a 'holy grail' 2) for other non 'Holy Grail' bags, I purchase through a consignment store like Ann's Fabulous Finds or Yoogi's closet or 3) as a very last resort, I buy through a few trusted sellers I know on ebay.
 
#1,393
i don't have any other addiction (don't smoke, don't drink, etc.) - my addiction is handbags only. i also collect vintage bears - but limit those.
my car is paid off for. don't have any other bills except for car + life insurance, rent, and the basics (food, gas, electricity).
my student loan is paid off, so here and there, i treat myself.
i really only have maybe 5 handbags all together. also, i sell the ones i know i've fallen out of love for - and supplement funds there to fund my new bag.
it works perfect.
 
#1,394
I'm a full time third year college student and definitely do not have wealthy parents, so therefore can not spend anywhere NEAR as much as I would like on designer bags. I purchase one nice bag about once every 2 years, and make smaller purchases very rarely, both always after a ton of research, debating, and making sure that it is classic and will be actually useful for day to day activities. Since I do not work, I do a lot of hardcore saving from birthday money :P, Christmas money, and Chinese new year money. I also sell on Ebay regularly. Even a little here and there really adds up over time. I make my purchases on a credit card to get points, but always have cash in the checking account to pay it off in one payment.
 
#1,395
My mom usually bought me premier designer stuff growing up before (and while) she put me through college - private at that. Now that I'm 22 and going to medschool she doesn't as frequently, no complaints though, I didn't have to work through college so..*shrug, something had to give. Now she only offers for birthdays, academic milestones, christmas etc. I occasionally spent my savings or allowance on bags but after I realized my $2K bags got no wearing time, I stopped. It feels so different coming out of your own checking account Lol I love shoes and jewelry a lot more and I'd rather get 3-4 pairs of designer shoes out of that, than let a bag collect dust. I reserve any purchase exceeding a couple hundreds as gift requests and will probably do that until med school is over. Here's to hoping I run into some high earning physician...Lmao. No, really.
 
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