Splurging on bags, penny pinching elsewhere?

[lenarmc]

I don't splurge on anything but lipstick. I only buy high end, but I still have a Revlon that I refuse to give up. The perfect red shade for me. I still, however, refuse to pay $90 for the Louboutins one. I get things like eyeshadow and mascara through my ipsy subscription. I don't like foundation, powder, blush, et cetera. I don't want to feel anything on my face.

I own designer (MK, Dooney) and luxury (Chanel, Balenciaga, Gucci) handbags but have never paid full price. I'm pretty satisfied with my collection even though I would like to add a Chanel and an LV Alma. It won't be anytime soon.

I do my own nail because I hate nail and hair salons. I actually enjoy doing my own nails. I have two cars which are both paid for. One is 19 years old, and the other is 8 years old. Because we are temporarily living out-of-state, we rent. Afterwards, we plan on getting a small townhouse or condo. Something with little maintenance. I buy my clothes from secondhand, resale/consignment, and thrift stores. I've never been interested in massages and spa trips. Shoes are not my thing with the exception of Chuck Taylors. I'm not going to embarrass myself by stating how many that I own.

Most of our expendable money goes to my oldest son's personal trainer. It's worth it because his trainer says that he has a tremendous work ethic. If my boy was lazy, he wouldn't work with him as it only makes him look good if my boy looks good. Money well spent if my kid can fulfill his dream of playing division one football.

I agree that most people can't afford to splurge on everything. Most people figure out what they want to spend their money on and save on the rest.

 

[msd_bags]

Guilty! But only on extras and non-essentials.

Since my bag 'addiction' started in mid 2013, I've cut down on trips to the mall, dining out and frequenting the grocery (the more visits you make the more non-essentials you buy). I don't find anything wrong with this since I just shifted where I spent extra money. I still was able to go on trips/travel but less frequently. I didn't scrimp unnecessarily on essentials to support my bag vice.

Now that I think the height of my bag addiction has passed, I am looking forward to more travels.

 

[mary79]

What an interesting thread! For the past few years, I was splurging on bags (yet most on sale or preloved) and scrimping on other areas (clothes, travel, etc.). Luckily, like many who posted, I never really did salon days or spa days (except a great massage about twice a year).

For the past year, I have sold many bags, and now have a lovely collection of about 10 that I am happy with (although of course I love dreaming about my next bag on this site, and will probably purchase 1 or 2 in 2016). But the money I made selling, and not buying so many, has allowed me to splurge in areas I never did before: I have a personal trainer for the first time ever, go to more "special" meals out with my boyfriend, and also invest in weekends away. Since I live in Europe, this is easier, and I recently had a long weekend in Barcelona for less than the price of a bag... Those memories stay forever, and i'm enjoying investing more in experiences and less in things (yes including bags).

 

[lovingmybags]

I buy clothes at Madewell, J Crew, Banana, and Anthro, you get the idea. Purses are Coach or second-hand (but new) premier designers. Shoes I'll splurge every once in a while, but those will be carefully planned from the bags. I don't have a car, or kids; couldn't care less about salons or pedi, but yes will spend on takeout food mostly, or restaurants every once in a while. Currently my work is very stressful, that just don't allow me time to cook as I like. Everyone has his/her own spending priorities, and few people can consume without cutting down on other areas.

 

[HesitantShopper]

I've been really curious about how you guys define "expensive clothes" etc. I usually only buy sale items, I bought two skirts yesterday, $7 and $25. And basically I only buy clothes priced like these.

For bags, I own three bags now. Two valued $100 and one lv mini pochette. I buy a gift for myself around Xmas every year. The mini pochette is the gift I bought myself few weeks ago.

I have some good skincare or makeup products: 3 of them valued more than $100 each, and the rest less than $20.

For clothes.. it'll vary i suppose but from my standpoint-- i don't mean 100$ jeans or 300$ sweaters.

As for skin care i am cheap, with massive allergies i have stuck to the same products forever costing merely dollars per item.. i don't go anywhere near makeup counters or skin care displays lol.

 

[Manelieht]

Very interesting to read everyone's replies! I did not think it was that common to penny pinch amongst bag lovers!

Thank you @remainsilly for the good wishes. I have been in bed with a kidney infection for a month otherwise I'd have more maternity posts up Was really looking forward to it but all I can do is Instagram atm.
____
I wear clothing in the H&M to Zara price range, as well as thrifted items. I do have kids (1 1/2 , but with the extra money the government pays all parents they don't really cost much extra.
My bags have all been sale bags so far, worth up to 860 Euros but never paid more than 500. I pay in 12 month rates most of the time which works well for me. I earn a bit of extra money on the side too.
Overall I feel I don't have to make too many cuts to afford bags. Many things I simply don't need and it saves a ton already
I hardly ever eat out and cook all meals fresh and from scratch.
Skincare, Hair and Make Up probably saves the most money. I also paint my own nails, always have. I have been cutting my own hair for ten years, I don't dye my hair. I have one face lotion (4 EUR), micellar water, deodorant, peeling, bar soap ,shampoo, and conditioner. Other than that I use coconut oil for body lotion. My make up lasts ages and I buy the very affordable brands.

I do have a lot of bags by now but have been collecting since 2007 and never throw out old bags. They still get worn and look almost new.

That' s all I can think of right now. Just wanted to add.

 

[HesitantShopper]

Thank you @remainsilly for the good wishes. I have been in bed with a kidney infection for a month otherwise I'd have more maternity posts up Was really looking forward to it but all I can do is Instagram atm.
____



.

That's to bad hope you feel better! ironically , my oldest expecting her first just came off a round antibiotics for the very same!(kidney infection)

 

[immigratty]

I think I do mostly everything moderately. I will by vintage bags preloved, but strongly prefer new, with that being said, I wait until things go on sale, outlet shop, and even do outlet sales. so while I do spend more than some on bags/clothes, it's still usually at 50-80% off the retail price. I shop at stores like TJMaxx and Marshall's that have brand names for much cheaper, my clothes are typically Ralph Lauren, which are found at TJMaxx/Marshalls, and they have many outlet stores...and I do clearance rack/sales. given most of my items are timeless, it doesn't matter if I'm a few seasons, or a few years, behind because my items are meant to wear on for years anyway. I purchase furniture/decor from Craigslist...OMG the finds I have found, for solid, wrought iron items in perfect condition, at about 90% of what you would pay for in the store. So I kind of penny pinch everywhere, and occasionally splurge everywhere...it all evens out.

but I will say, I will spend more on bags than anything else. especially shoes.

 

[skyqueen]

Great thread, Manelieht and interesting replies!
I was lucky enough to wear a uniform for 38 years. My biggest dilemma was pants, skirt or dress. Very liberating and FREE! I could spent my money on clothes I like to wear, both cheap and expensive. The older I get the less interested I am in buying "expensive" items I won't wear. I already have a closet full. With the exception of Gucci shoes/boots I never buy expensive shoes. I have accumulated a nice collection of jewelry and bags and for some reason feel content...my bag collection is at 20, which is plenty. My last bag purchases were relatively inexpensive...2 MGs and a Phillip Lim Pashli.
I have 3 dogs and 2 horses that require care and money. Love a good pedicure but do my own nails. Haircuts 4 times a year. Expensive and cheap make-up.
I will admit I enjoy carrying my premier bags even though no one else knows the brand because I live in fashion hell...but I know!

 

[NicoleW4240]

This is a very interesting thread as I'm just starting to develop my purse arsenal - only after buying my first condo and stabilizing my finances. I'm now able to save about 40% of my income (single, no kiddos) so when I purchased my 2nd Bag this morning (RueLaLa, Mulberry Bayswater), I knew the splurge wouldn't affect my daily budget.

 

[misskris03]

+1 thrift store clothes & not giving a f*** about fingernails.
I envy you the coordination to paint own toenails, without destroying patches of carpet or staining furniture. Mine stay boring, but safe.

Ha!! You should see some of my retired coffee tables! After 20 years, though, I'm a lot better than I was at keeping it off the furniture

 

[misskris03]

Very interesting to read everyone's replies! I did not think it was that common to penny pinch amongst bag lovers!

Thank you @remainsilly for the good wishes. I have been in bed with a kidney infection for a month otherwise I'd have more maternity posts up Was really looking forward to it but all I can do is Instagram atm.
____
I wear clothing in the H&M to Zara price range, as well as thrifted items. I do have kids (1 1/2 , but with the extra money the government pays all parents they don't really cost much extra.
My bags have all been sale bags so far, worth up to 860 Euros but never paid more than 500. I pay in 12 month rates most of the time which works well for me. I earn a bit of extra money on the side too.
Overall I feel I don't have to make too many cuts to afford bags. Many things I simply don't need and it saves a ton already
I hardly ever eat out and cook all meals fresh and from scratch.
Skincare, Hair and Make Up probably saves the most money. I also paint my own nails, always have. I have been cutting my own hair for ten years, I don't dye my hair. I have one face lotion (4 EUR), micellar water, deodorant, peeling, bar soap ,shampoo, and conditioner. Other than that I use coconut oil for body lotion. My make up lasts ages and I buy the very affordable brands.

I do have a lot of bags by now but have been collecting since 2007 and never throw out old bags. They still get worn and look almost new.

That' s all I can think of right now. Just wanted to add.

I hope you're feeling better soon! That sounds incredibly challenging while you're pregnant and have a small child. Take care.

 

[Manelieht]

That's to bad hope you feel better! ironically , my oldest expecting her first just came off a round antibiotics for the very same!(kidney infection)

I hope you're feeling better soon! That sounds incredibly challenging while you're pregnant and have a small child. Take care.

Thank you both! It is hard because I can not play with him much at all I have to save my strength to at least cook. I probably would already be better had doctors taken me seriously. I was sent away so many times that a bladder infection turned into this and my kidneys became congested too. Now I don't respond to antibiotics. I have already taken 3 rounds and am currently trying to survive with natural remedies.

Before all that I felt great. I don't even have common pregnancy aches and pains. Just this stupid infection :/.

 

[Ludmilla]

Thank you both! It is hard because I can not play with him much at all I have to save my strength to at least cook. I probably would already be better had doctors taken me seriously. I was sent away so many times that a bladder infection turned into this and my kidneys became congested too. Now I don't respond to antibiotics. I have already taken 3 rounds and am currently trying to survive with natural remedies.



Before all that I felt great. I don't even have common pregnancy aches and pains. Just this stupid infection :/.

Oh no! I hope you get better soon! This illness is bad enough without being pregnant. Best wishes to you...

As to the topic of this thread. Apart from my 6year old MacBook (that has probably lost all its value by now) my handbags are my most expensive items. I have very few high end designers. One I got on the sale, the other two are pre-loved, but in mint condition. [emoji4] I try to buy clothes and shoes that are fairly produced with organic materials. Also, I buy clothes/shoes only when I have to replace an item. Not because I need my funds elsewhere, but to curb my personal consumerism and to stop hoarding things. I'm not going out a lot. I don't smoke. I only have one perfume and not too much cosmetics. Penny pinching happens somehow automatically with me. [emoji4]

 

[Manelieht]

Ludmilla

Yes it is pretty bad. When it started I was so weakened by it and only after a month I feel halfway normal

You are doing more saving than me! I do shop clothes for variety and I do own two perfumes