How much money do you have before buying a $2000 bag?

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When I was in college, I had money to pay my tuition, emergencies (car repairs and such), and a fund for buying a place/relocating based on job opportunities. I lived at home and owned my car outright. I bought my first designer bag my final year of college, but it was "only" $500 then.

I don't think most people will want to live putting every single penny to necessities and savings only. A lot of people like periodic splurges and have different priorities.

My recommendation is to begin putting aside post-graduation expenses aside now for an emergency fund. What you anticipate rent, car payments, insurance, 401k contribution, etc. monthly gets put into savings, everything else is what you have to live on. When you can afford to buy the bag with your leftovers, then consider it.
 
I am currently a student as well. I have a Louis Vuitton account. Every one in a while, I save up enough to go and purchase myself something sweet from my friends consignment store.


I believe that after you take care of the necessities then it's honestly free game from there.
 
Best of luck finding a good balance; just don't be one of those who can't pay her tuition plan by the deadline...I saw someone who the registrar told was $800 short, but was wearing a $3K bv bag, plus a Burberry jacket. If she had forgone either of these, the money would have been easily paid. I'm in my 30's, and still wouldn't buy anything near $1K...everything's so expensive these days!


Thanks:) you are absolutely right. I will never spend such large amount of money while not able to pay my tuition. It sounds so ridiculous.
 
You're a student? Then, invest in *yourself*. 2K is too much to piss away on a bag that is incongruous with the rest of you: young, strong, carefree, at the top of the mating game biologically speaking. Trust me, you want to buy the BEST, and that don't come with a zip and handles and a fancy logo on it. You want to adorn yourself with true, lasting value: enrolling in an advanced class in your chosen career, paying a good coach to direct you to the most worthwhile tutors and seminars, learning (proficiently) a foreign language, learning basic home DIY, auto repair and first emergency skills, get a colouring and fashion pro overhaul session to find your own style (dress, hair, makeup), or a good healthy cooking class,or fix any minor health problems now before they may develop into a more serious nuisance... everything that you now have time, energy and some money to do, and which may later return your modest investment several times over. You don't need a bag to show off even a little: instead, get something that enhances your own unique talents and skills ;-)

If you absolutely feel you need that bag, get it preloved and as vintage as possible (and have the nice specialists here authenticate it for you): with LV, the older the piece the better the quality, and vintage has an uniquely lovely appeal that says "I value quality and tradition above fads and logos, and my style is as timeless and enduring as the pieces I make my own".


I couldn't agree more. When I look back and see some of the money that I pi**ed away on bags and other "luxury" items I could have bought furniture, taken trips or saved for a rainy day. And all for owning a designer bag. Which I inevitably fell out of love with amd sold on eBay to buy another new one I couldn't live without. There is so much you could do experientially with that money. Do it while you can; the luxury items will always be there, newer amd shinier!
 
Forgot to ask...which bag are you interested in exactly? Keep in mind that since you're young, your tastes may change drastically over the next few years. What's the most coveted item right now can end up impractical very quickly.


I love alma bb, it's so cute. I love small bags, currently I'm using LV mini pochette with a strap as crossbody. It's perfect for me actually, I only need to carry my phone, credit hard and few other little staffs. I'm considering saving my money in stead of spending now. I like the design of the alma bb:) But maybe no need to buy one.
 
I love alma bb, it's so cute. I love small bags, currently I'm using LV mini pochette with a strap as crossbody. It's perfect for me actually, I only need to carry my phone, credit hard and few other little staffs. I'm considering saving my money in stead of spending now. I like the design of the alma bb:) But maybe no need to buy one.

I love the Alma!! No wonder you're so taken by it...that's one of the LV designs I really liked from day 1. Maybe ponder how much staying power this will have in your wardrobe?

Another possibility would be to get something similar for less, and save the rest of that money. But, if you want the LV and nothing else, then maybe try to save from other areas (eating out, etc.) gradually, to balance the cost. Good luck!!
 
Thanks and really good points. I actually know a designer bag is not a necessity. But you know...young girls like showing off a little... I just like dreaming and admiring those beautiful and lovely bags. Cannot stop myself, maybe instead of buying a bag I should see a doctor Lol

Who are you going to impress with a $2000 bag? And if they (or you) know you had to scrimp for it, how impressive is that really?

You know what would really impress everyone? Graduating with honors/high gpa AND multiple job offers with a high starting salary from well respected companies (or multiple acceptances from the top grad/professional schools). If you really want to be the envy of everyone, that's what you do. This has been the case long before and long after.

So keep that $2000 in the bank, work your *** off in classes/co-ops/internships, ignore the people who are so easily impressed by a little bag, and blow everyone away with what you DO, not what you HAVE.
 
Hehehe.
Can't say I disagree with most points.
And can't say I'm surprised student wants fancy bags.
I wanted fancy things as grad student. So saved for weeks to buy a new lamp. With a shade & harp.

Honestly, this entire forum is about being impressed by surface fluff.
A lot of life is about that, too.
Did I have inner strength enough to understand all this implied @ student age?
Probably not.
Do I now?
Sometimes. Until I see someone posting huge bag collections & gargantuan custom wardrobes.
Then a voice whispers I need more. To impress people.

Fortunately, having done other things mentioned by posters, I understand where voice originates.
And what I truly value. For myself.
So remain calm. And, hopefully, kind.

Op, I wish you luck with this choice.
Because it will rise over & over throughout life. Not always about bags.
And nice to know more about yourself, learn what you want to do, early as possible.
:)
 
I would consider it if you could use it everyday for your professional full time job after you graduate.

HOWEVER...

A lot of people have posted that premier designer bags don't win points in the workplace. They tend to use their contemporary designer bags for that so as to not stand out.

Also I complimented a woman's epi alma once when I was shopping. She said she rarely used that bag. It was a gift. I got the impression she thought it was too fancy for daily use. It could be related to our location as we are very casual here most of the time.

I would wait and visualize how you would use it when you know more.

Unless you feel like you are in the position to buy yourself a $2000 gift.

There is a thread in Money Talks about income levels associated with luxury goods. You should look at that.
 
I think that your question is pertinent for all of us tPFs, and that all those who replied so far, have given great input.
I live in Europe, and bags, purchases and the amount of money in your account, as well as how much is 'ok' for you to spend on a bag, remain under your discretion. It is overall not considered polite to discuss bag prices, because these discussions pull the trigger to severe judgement.
Considering what you said, I think you should analyze whether 2k are still inside your comfort zone, or not. If you have a regular income, and you have been able to save some money in the past, you could just make another 'targeted' saving plan to reach 2k. If you have already saved 2k, and the rest is fine (i.e. tuition, living costs, mortgage, bills, savings), then you can totally make your purchase. I think it is important to avoid any sort of debt because of bags or designer stuff, or even holidays. But apart from that, you can buy what you like, without regrets.
IMO your topic is pertinent because people easily judge and blame you for buying bags. Especially when you're young, and when your parents are modest, and kinda when you have to pay for everything including living costs and tuition fees. Expensive purchases are perceived as undeserved, and like if designer stuff was reserved for those who were born rich, and never needed to work hard for what they have.
But somehow, students who have tons of electronics, and a car on top of tuition fees is considered appropriate by the same people. And often, the amount spent on a computer, tablet, smartphone, camera, car insurance etc. are 2k+, but are more 'ok' than spending 2k on a bag (although a bag will last you longer).
I also know that not all rich people are comfortable about spending 2k on a bag. Even if they have lots of money, they need to think (like the modest) before buying.
I believe that you can buy bags for 2k at young ages, and while being modest or a student. To do so, my advice is to be sure and confident about your financial situation. And confident about your decision to spend 2k.
Hth
A
 
Hehehe.

Can't say I disagree with most points.

And can't say I'm surprised student wants fancy bags.

I wanted fancy things as grad student. So saved for weeks to buy a new lamp. With a shade & harp.



Honestly, this entire forum is about being impressed by surface fluff.

A lot of life is about that, too.

Did I have inner strength enough to understand all this implied @ student age?

Probably not.

Do I now?

Sometimes. Until I see someone posting huge bag collections & gargantuan custom wardrobes.

Then a voice whispers I need more. To impress people.



Fortunately, having done other things mentioned by posters, I understand where voice originates.

And what I truly value. For myself.

So remain calm. And, hopefully, kind.



Op, I wish you luck with this choice.

Because it will rise over & over throughout life. Not always about bags.

And nice to know more about yourself, learn what you want to do, early as possible.

:)
Thanks :) I really like people talking about their experiences.

Frankly speaking, I really want to buy but I've been hesitated for nearly a year (starting from May 2015 to be precise).

First reason is that I major in computer science, and there're only several female students let alone female students carrying designer bags. For male students in my lab, they bought $300 sweaters, I never did.

The second reason I hesitated is that I dont want to be "absolutely normal people" when I am young, but I also dont want to stand out A LOT. Being too unique will make me nervous -- this may sounds very strange but I really think so.

And the third reason, of course, 2k is REALLY big deal. I just feel I would regret some day...later in my life... But I still like the bag very much. Hesitate ... hesitate... hesitate... and 8 months passed... LOL

For now, after reading many posts I really think I should save the money. I dont have to spend it for trips or other staffs because I certainly have no intention to do so. Maybe later in my life when I dont value 2k as much as I do now, I will buy my dreaming bag.
 
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