How do you fund your Hermes addiction?

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#16
I earn my money, and when I'm on an Hermes binge, they get most of my disposable income. Given the way the travel industry gouges the consumer, my taste for travel has faded a great deal. Designer quality isn't what it used to be so I'm not compelled to buy most of the designer items out there, and I go cheap when I can. My food tastes aren't out of this world, and if I had it my way, I'd eat out, maybe, once a week. I've no desire to acquire a car note again so I'll just drive what I have until it falls apart.

It's just a case of deciding where the disposable income goes, and it helps a great deal that I don't want any of the Hermes bags (big honkin' purchase I'm glad to avoid). LOL I'm about scarfed out, and once I get the last couple of leather items I want, that may be about it for a long while. Maybe a blanket, but I have to be able to justify the expense before that happens.
 
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#17
I actually love this thread, and the acknowledgment that not all Hermes shoppers bring in a million a year, or have husbands who bring that amount in, so that they can drop money left and right on birkins twice a week. I think there was a post in BagSnob awhile ago about the invasion of the middle class (something like that) with respect to Hermes, and several people commented about the "poaching of luxury goods by the middle class." Anyway, I was kind of offended by those comments, because I'm not super rich but I love quality bags, so how am I poaching?

OK, rant over. I am engaged but have no kids and right now all my income is essentially mine to spend, so I save it up for bag purchases. I cook at home and have my own coffee, yada yada. Still, the saving money thread sounds like a good read - will have to look at it.
 
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#18
I work hard. I am successful. I don't own a car (I live in NYC). I don't spend money on expensive dinners out.

I have always indulged in luxury items. My choices have shifted over the years and have included fine art, watches, fashion, and now Hermes. I try to make wise choices and I like to believe that the Hermes things I purchase I will use my entire life. The H items I have purchased bring me great joy and that is all that is important. I am constantly amazed at the quality and perfection that H achieves and I don't find that often in a world of MASS LUXURY.
 
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#19
piaffe said:
Here is a *terrific* thread from tPF about "how to save for your first H bag":

http://forum.purseblog.com/hermes/saving-for-your-first-hermes-kelly-birkin-bag-190683.html

One of my favourite tPF threads. I go back to it every once in a while for inspiration and motivation. I have adopted MANY of the tips tPFers have shared about saving for your first Birkin or your next Birkin - and it basically captures the various strategies I use to SAVE pennies, divert disposable income, and fund my H addiction.

My favourite adopted tips include:

- breakfast and coffee at home
- packing my own lunch, every day
- cooking at home 99% of the time (we now limit going out to special occasions; take-out about once every 2 weeks)
- making a shopping list and sticking to it at the grocery store! (and no more bags of cherries off-season)
- NO STARBUCKS! gone are the days of my $4 daily hot chocolates... I bring tea bags to work
- for clothes: invest in higher end staples (no more trendy, disposable clothes), but ONLY at 50% off or more (January and July sales)
- pedis once every 2 to 3 months in the winter (rather than monthly); manis and maintenance at home
Click to expand...


Thanks for digging this link up, Piaffe!

Let's see, I have to say that it is just good old fashioned saving and prioritizing. No tricks or secrets, if I have the money I can treat myself to H, if I don't have the money, well, then I have no choice.:p

Oh, and my stats: single, great job, barely any school loans, car paid off, solid retirement and investment accounts
 
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#22
First I paid off my mortgage. Then I paid off the cars. After that, I made sure that I maxed out the 401Ks and funded my son's 529. And then made sure there's at least a year's worth of living expenses in a savings account, along with all of the necessary insurance policies. Of course, I've never paid interest on a credit card, and I don't eat out very often. Most of our trips are to visit our family and I monitor our monthly expenses. As for whatever's leftover, I don't feel the least bit guilty about "blowing it" on gorgeous, hand-crafted bags that I will most likely be able to resell for a significant percentage of what I paid for them (or more!), should I ever tire of them.
 
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#24
Oooooooooooooooh that type of attitude just gets my goat. The good news is that kind of thinking comes from a VERY small and insecure mind, and you can thank them for revealing their true nature so easily. I remember hearing about a woman years ago who designs custom-made bags in Paris, and they're SO exclusive that you have to be referred by a current customer. In the process, they made Hermes look easy to obtain, and dare I say it, cheap. It's all relative I guess. A bit of a spiritual test, too, if you will since money never did equal class. Just money.


BlueGenes said:
I think there was a post in BagSnob awhile ago about the invasion of the middle class (something like that) with respect to Hermes, and several people commented about the "poaching of luxury goods by the middle class." Anyway, I was kind of offended by those comments, because I'm not super rich but I love quality bags, so how am I poaching?
Click to expand...
 
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#25
DH and I both work. We managed to pay off student loans. Put aside the full college tuition and living expenses for both children. Drive cars that last for ever (Volvo). Have a small mortgage. Spent money on few high quality clothes and shoes. No expensive jewelry. No impulsive dinners at the latest restaurant. No credit card debt. It took 20 years. Now we have some disposabe income. We spend it on the Volvos of the fashion world: Hermes and good shoemakers. We still mostly dress in jeans but we have to die for accessories that we appreciate a lot.
 
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#27
piaffe said:
Here is a *terrific* thread from tPF about "how to save for your first H bag":
Click to expand...
piaffe said:
http://forum.purseblog.com/hermes/saving-for-your-first-hermes-kelly-birkin-bag-190683.html

One of my favourite tPF threads. I go back to it every once in a while for inspiration and motivation. I have adopted MANY of the tips tPFers have shared about saving for your first Birkin or your next Birkin - and it basically captures the various strategies I use to SAVE pennies, divert disposable income, and fund my H addiction.

My favourite adopted tips include:

- breakfast and coffee at home
- packing my own lunch, every day
- cooking at home 99% of the time (we now limit going out to special occasions; take-out about once every 2 weeks)
- making a shopping list and sticking to it at the grocery store! (and no more bags of cherries off-season)
- NO STARBUCKS! gone are the days of my $4 daily hot chocolates... I bring tea bags to work
- for clothes: invest in higher end staples (no more trendy, disposable clothes), but ONLY at 50% off or more (January and July sales)
- pedis once every 2 to 3 months in the winter (rather than monthly); manis and maintenance at home
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tips :nuts: :heart:
 
#29
I don't have an Hermes yet but I have an odd way of saving up, than most of you guys.

I found out that if I don't worry about my money so much, like if I eat out or buy clothes without worrying that it would dent my savings, money comes easily and I realize I have more than I need. On the other hand, if I consciously save up for something, that's when bad things happen: appliances get broken and needs to be serviced, or a relative needs money for hospitalization, etc.

But I do agree that appreciating Hermes tends to refine one's taste. Now I don't go on a spending frenzy when there's a sale. I often buy what is timeless and elegant (e.g. a structured and well-fitting jacket) as opposed to what's "in". And I don't buy Louis Vuitton anymore, except some of their footwear which I find nice (peace to the LV mods).

And I don't deprive myself of good food. If ever I get tired of cooking for myself (I live alone), I eat out. Food is lovely, and it saves time and energy. I tell myself, "Well, that's why you're working. To be able to eat good food."


P.S.
I'm a fan of ChocoGrace. Her job kicks ass.
 
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