Involuntary Coach ban support group

[Syren]

I like what you said here. To be totally honest if I may — I often feel both happy and guilty when I buy a bag/SLG (especially a premier brand one). Maybe it’s partly due to going to a Catholic school in my younger days, lol. Maybe it’s because I know there are people who barely have enough to eat. Definitely feel conflicted sometimes.

(With all that said, I am kinda scheduled to see my LV SA next week to check out a few small things.)

I’m the same way. I often feel guilty for buying expensive items, especially when I think about where I came from and how things were money-wise when I was younger.

I think I’ve mentioned before but everyone in my family has come to an agreement over the years, we don’t buy each other Christmas gifts. There are only a few young children so we all still buy for them. And I do buy for my Mom even though I tell her every year I’m not lol My BF and I don’t even exchange gifts. But we definitely shop a bit for ourselves and get excited for each other when packages come to the door haha It’s soooooo less stressful! And instead we donate $$$ to charities that we both benefited from when we were kids

One of the most frustrating things is that his small family will not budge on the not exchanging gifts idea. My BF is incredibly hard to buy for as he doesn’t really have small interests or hobbies, he likes expensive cars LOL So for example they ended up buying him a poop emoji themed comforter set for his last birthday ... He’s in his 40s what in the world is he gonna do with that? They thought it was hilarious but it was just a waste of money as we donated it. He asks them every year to just please make a donation to our local animal shelter in his name and they refuse. But that’s what he wants and what would make him happy! I’m sure we sound like ungrateful jerks lol But every holiday we just end up with weird items that are clogging up landfills. This year he suggested the 4 of us do a supper club, each quarter we go to a nice restaurant and we each take a turn buying. I thought this sounded so fun! They just sent eyeroll emojis as their response lol

I’m just venting at this point haha

 

[whateve]

That must have been a cute tree. Last year, we got a tiny white tree with tiny lights from the $ tree. It was supposed to be a joke, but the kids loved it and kept the lights to put in a Lego building. Now we have started something! This year we have a tiny teal tree from Target (in addition to the big tree)! That's funny about the tree looking smaller outside. This year, one of my boys asked why the tree looked so small until we got it inside. I told him our ceiling is lower than the sky.

That reminds me that somewhere I found some miniature ornaments that we used on the tree. It also had tiny lights.

 

[whateve]

I’m the same way. I often feel guilty for buying expensive items, especially when I think about where I came from and how things were money-wise when I was younger.

I think I’ve mentioned before but everyone in my family has come to an agreement over the years, we don’t buy each other Christmas gifts. There are only a few young children so we all still buy for them. And I do buy for my Mom even though I tell her every year I’m not lol My BF and I don’t even exchange gifts. But we definitely shop a bit for ourselves and get excited for each other when packages come to the door haha It’s soooooo less stressful! And instead we donate $$$ to charities that we both benefited from when we were kids

One of the most frustrating things is that his small family will not budge on the not exchanging gifts idea. My BF is incredibly hard to buy for as he doesn’t really have small interests or hobbies, he likes expensive cars LOL So for example they ended up buying him a poop emoji themed comforter set for his last birthday ... He’s in his 40s what in the world is he gonna do with that? They thought it was hilarious but it was just a waste of money as we donated it. He asks them every year to just please make a donation to our local animal shelter in his name and they refuse. But that’s what he wants and what would make him happy! I’m sure we sound like ungrateful jerks lol But every holiday we just end up with weird items that are clogging up landfills. This year he suggested the 4 of us do a supper club, each quarter we go to a nice restaurant and we each take a turn buying. I thought this sounded so fun! They just sent eyeroll emojis as their response lol

I’m just venting at this point haha

We don't do gifts anymore either. DH never did do gifts, and I just gave up. Most of our families are gone now. My oldest daughter isn't completely okay with it. Sometimes she'll send me a link for what she wants. It is stressful buying gifts - you don't know what to get and the crowds are terrible.

I didn't grow up poor but both of parents lived through the depression and the attitude to be careful with money rubbed off on me. When my kids were little I went overboard on Christmas gifts for them because I wanted them to have the Christmas I never had. I always felt cheated when I was a kid because the kids I knew always got lots of stuff. We always got 4 gifts, mostly practical things. Only one would be something you could play with, like a puzzle.

 

[Iamminda]

I’m the same way. I often feel guilty for buying expensive items, especially when I think about where I came from and how things were money-wise when I was younger.

I think I’ve mentioned before but everyone in my family has come to an agreement over the years, we don’t buy each other Christmas gifts. There are only a few young children so we all still buy for them. And I do buy for my Mom even though I tell her every year I’m not lol My BF and I don’t even exchange gifts. But we definitely shop a bit for ourselves and get excited for each other when packages come to the door haha It’s soooooo less stressful! And instead we donate $$$ to charities that we both benefited from when we were kids

One of the most frustrating things is that his small family will not budge on the not exchanging gifts idea. My BF is incredibly hard to buy for as he doesn’t really have small interests or hobbies, he likes expensive cars LOL So for example they ended up buying him a poop emoji themed comforter set for his last birthday ... He’s in his 40s what in the world is he gonna do with that? They thought it was hilarious but it was just a waste of money as we donated it. He asks them every year to just please make a donation to our local animal shelter in his name and they refuse. But that’s what he wants and what would make him happy! I’m sure we sound like ungrateful jerks lol But every holiday we just end up with weird items that are clogging up landfills. This year he suggested the 4 of us do a supper club, each quarter we go to a nice restaurant and we each take a turn buying. I thought this sounded so fun! They just sent eyeroll emojis as their response lol

I’m just venting at this point haha

A poop emoji comforter? Lol. That’s too funny/crazy unless he specifically asked for it — or they included a gift receipt for exchange. I am a huge fan of gift receipts since there is no way of knowing for sure what some one wants unless they tell you outright. I feel for you. We have stopped buying gifts for family for awhile now — it used to be stressful to think of something, go to the Mall, buy, wrap etc. I am kinda relieved that my DD hasn’t been into toys for years, lol and that she mainly wants gift cards or cash now. Growing up, she loved to read a lot so I used to buy her a lot of books (through the discounted Scholastic Book Club at school) and some toys. Even for my young nieces the last few years, I have been giving them Target gift cards so they can pick their own toys (it’s also hard if I don’t see them during the holidays due to travel/schedules so by the time they get the gifts, they might no longer like them since kids’ interests are always changing).

 

[ltbag]

I’m the same way. I often feel guilty for buying expensive items, especially when I think about where I came from and how things were money-wise when I was younger.

I think I’ve mentioned before but everyone in my family has come to an agreement over the years, we don’t buy each other Christmas gifts. There are only a few young children so we all still buy for them. And I do buy for my Mom even though I tell her every year I’m not lol My BF and I don’t even exchange gifts. But we definitely shop a bit for ourselves and get excited for each other when packages come to the door haha It’s soooooo less stressful! And instead we donate $$$ to charities that we both benefited from when we were kids

One of the most frustrating things is that his small family will not budge on the not exchanging gifts idea. My BF is incredibly hard to buy for as he doesn’t really have small interests or hobbies, he likes expensive cars LOL So for example they ended up buying him a poop emoji themed comforter set for his last birthday ... He’s in his 40s what in the world is he gonna do with that? They thought it was hilarious but it was just a waste of money as we donated it. He asks them every year to just please make a donation to our local animal shelter in his name and they refuse. But that’s what he wants and what would make him happy! I’m sure we sound like ungrateful jerks lol But every holiday we just end up with weird items that are clogging up landfills. This year he suggested the 4 of us do a supper club, each quarter we go to a nice restaurant and we each take a turn buying. I thought this sounded so fun! They just sent eyeroll emojis as their response lol

I’m just venting at this point haha

I long ago discovered that once we're adults, gifts are more about the giver than the receiver

When my mom was still alive, I would buy her an expensive premier purse each year. She would NEVER buy that for herself. I would buy her something that was sparkly and flashy, as she loved sparkle. She would wear those purses into the ground. But had I asked her what she wanted, she would have insisted she didn't want them.

On the other hand, my sister and I can never see eye to eye on gifts. She is a miser and and will always give "regifted" items from her closet. I am not against this per se, except that she has really cheap, bad taste lol.

One year you can guess what happened. She gifted me something I had bought for HER. I was going to let it slip unremarked on, but my mother of course said something out loud. Sigh.

Holidays. Meh.

 

[Luvpurplepurses]

Oh noes; we’re Ladies of the Flies up in here now?

I did maintain my 4.0 and got into the honors society (I do not mean to brag at all; I can’t believe it and my DH has to keep telling me to hush up and accept it; this is a very far cry from my first time around, so maybe an old dog really can learn new tricks lol).

But... I have gotten large Derby totes in 3 different colors (teal, rosegold, and black with oxblood interior) over the summer and fall, so I have not been entirely living up to to perfect ban standards...

Edit: grammar

Congratulations on your 4.0!

 

[Iamminda]

I long ago discovered that once we're adults, gifts are more about the giver than the receiver

When my mom was still alive, I would buy her an expensive premier purse each year. She would NEVER buy that for herself. I would buy her something that was sparkly and flashy, as she loved sparkle. She would wear those purses into the ground. But had I asked her what she wanted, she would have insisted she didn't want them.

On the other hand, my sister and I can never see eye to eye on gifts. She is a miser and and will always give "regifted" items from her closet. I am not against this per se, except that she has really cheap, bad taste lol.

One year you can guess what happened. She gifted me something I had bought for HER. I was going to let it slip unremarked on, but my mother of course said something out loud. Sigh.

Holidays. Meh.

I love that you used to buy your Mom a fancy purse each year — what a thoughtful daughter . I think when it comes to adults, buying something for them that they would never buy for themselves is real special and the best part of gifting. Funny what you said about your sister — guess we all know some “regifters” in our lives.

 

[carterazo]

I don't know about the Phoebe because I don't have one. I really need the opening to be 8" because a have a Galaxy Note 8. Phones are getting bigger, and I've never understood why wristlets just miss this opening by about a 1/2" but that's okay. Maybe I should check out MM's phoebes!

Phoebe has a nice and big top opening. I tried DH's Note 5 and it fit with an inch and a half- or two to spare at the bottom. It's has a couple card slots, so it's perfect for going out or a quick run to the supermarket, etc. Penelope and Penelope midi are even better. They fit my 1941 clutches, cell, and keys with room to spare.

 

[carterazo]

I find the Pharmacy at my closest walmart to be very good. They also offer the cheapest dispensing fee. While we have drug coverage we do have to pay that fee so obviously i want it as low as possible. LOL.

The cheapest near me is Costco. Just a bit lower than Walmart, but a deal is a deal. Also I'm closer to Costco than Walmart, so that helps even more.

 

[carterazo]

Triple post. Ugh!

 

[carterazo]

Don't know how I ended up with 3 of the same post.

 

[carterazo]

View attachment 4603894 View attachment 4603896 Okay here I did a flash picture to show my antique Santa, then one without to show the tree with the lights .

So sweet! I love the antique santa.

 

[carterazo]

Years ago I bought my daughter the American Girl Christmas tree. It's really tiny. We put that up a few years when I didn't want to mess with a tree. We haven't done a tree for years. I have boxes of ornaments in the garage, just waiting for one of my kids to take them.

One year when we still lived out in the country, we cut down our own tree on our property. That was really hard with just a hand saw. Trees look much smaller outside than indoors. It was too big for our house!

Oh no! All that hard work. I bet is was a great memory for all, though. I've never done that - cut our own tree. I've only seen it done in movies. We do enjoy picling out a tree at the tree lot. Although, DH and DS decided we should use an artificiale tree now. We just used it last year. This year we are traveling, so we will only put up the small one DS and I picked out some years ago.

 

[carterazo]

Prepare the not hots. I deserve all of the not hots for the rest of 2019. I ordered both the snakeskin detailed metallic blue and colorblock rosegold Rogue 25’s.

Illegal ban defying greatest hits include:
My rosegold large Derby tote isn’t very rose, either, so they might match.
I have tons of Coach crossbody straps.
I’ve wanted a Rogue ever since they came out, but none have ever spoken to me until I saw these 2, and after days of thought, I couldn’t decide between them.
I’ll send back one or both if I don’t like them.

Bring on the not hots; I deserve them.

You're so funny! I hope you love at least one of them and you can enjoy it. Considering how seldom you buy, I don't see a not-hot in your future. Buuut, if you would like to see one, just give us a shout.

 

[carterazo]

I think it's very difficult at this time of year to not shop and "treat" ourselves. The sales are everywhere, everyone talks about shopping, and I don't know about you, but I crave gifting myself things, because both my parents are now gone, and holidays just aren't what they used to be.

There is nothing wrong with buying yourself a gift if you can afford it. Beating yourself up however for buying that gift is BANNED. (by me)

Be kind to yourself. And keep one of the bags after looking at them both and seeing which one you like best.

Great advice! And I would say that it applies for all of us. We tend to be hard on ourselves in general....