Talk Me Out Of It!

[Norm.Core]

Ok. I’m bumping this thread not exactly to ask for back up to buy or not buy a specific Bal...

What I’m asking is how to actually stop this mad Bal hunt for even just the rest of the year.

Had to move with less closet space and feel a little overwhelmed after I actually put all my Bals together. It’s not a lot. Only 10 which is pretty “ok” compared to maybe most Bal gals here. I do have one more on the way and that should be it for me for this year. At least for this year. Please let this be it for this year.

I would love to enjoy what I have and rotate and be normal but even when I’m not looking for anything specific, I’m looking. This is probably the wrong crowd to ask being all Bal enablers and fanatics that we are but with vintage bags popping up (feels like the hunt has gotten better compared to recent years), I wish I actually had a “real HG” that I can focus on and patiently wait for. It’s really more like a list... that doesn’t get shorter. Sheesh.

 

[betty*blackbent]

Ok. I’m bumping this thread not exactly to ask for back up to buy or not buy a specific Bal...

What I’m asking is how to actually stop this mad Bal hunt for even just the rest of the year.

Had to move with less closet space and feel a little overwhelmed after I actually put all my Bals together. It’s not a lot. Only 10 which is pretty “ok” compared to maybe most Bal gals here. I do have one more on the way and that should be it for me for this year. At least for this year. Please let this be it for this year.

I would love to enjoy what I have and rotate and be normal but even when I’m not looking for anything specific, I’m looking. This is probably the wrong crowd to ask being all Bal enablers and fanatics that we are but with vintage bags popping up (feels like the hunt has gotten better compared to recent years), I wish I actually had a “real HG” that I can focus on and patiently wait for. It’s really more like a list... that doesn’t get shorter. Sheesh.

Make a budget. Give yourself a certain amount of money to spend on collecting, and once that’s gone, doesn’t matter WHAT pops up, don’t buy it.

If that means not logging in here and deleting shopping apps till the next time your Bal Allowance rolls around, then do that.

 

[Conni618]

Agree with betty*blackbent. Her advice will work. I can’t manage it myself, so can’t suggest you do it.
What has worked for me is to force myself to sell a bag in order to buy one. If I can’t find one to let go for the love of the next one, it’s easier to look away. Not easy….just easier.

 

[earswithfeet]

Agree with betty*blackbent. Her advice will work. I can’t manage it myself, so can’t suggest you do it.
What has worked for me is to force myself to sell a bag in order to buy one. If I can’t find one to let go for the love of the next one, it’s easier to look away. Not easy….just easier.

It's all I can do to purchase new old Bals. Selling...or trying to...
You have to teach me how to look away, though. Can’t do it. I have no funds whatsoever, but the hunt goes on. No idea what I'll do if I see something I HAVE to have...d'oh.

 

[fayden]

Not a whole lot of help as my collection of rare oldies is pretty big, although not as big as some other collectors here. I try and sell one every time I buy one. Helps keep the collection from growing.

 

[Norm.Core]

I used to do one in-one out and that has worked in the past. Now my collection is tight and I can’t really move anything anymore. Except other bags which is also slim pickings now. I am left with contemporary bags that I doubt I can really move and the designers (mainly Bals) that are really super tough to let go.

Just need to grow a money tree. Or stop... at least for this year. Feels both aren’t doable. Gah!

 

[880]

Ok. I’m bumping this thread not exactly to ask for back up to buy or not buy a specific Bal...

What I’m asking is how to actually stop this mad Bal hunt for even just the rest of the year.

Had to move with less closet space and feel a little overwhelmed after I actually put all my Bals together. It’s not a lot. Only 10 which is pretty “ok” compared to maybe most Bal gals here. I do have one more on the way and that should be it for me for this year. At least for this year. Please let this be it for this year.

I would love to enjoy what I have and rotate and be normal but even when I’m not looking for anything specific, I’m looking. This is probably the wrong crowd to ask being all Bal enablers and fanatics that we are but with vintage bags popping up (feels like the hunt has gotten better compared to recent years), I wish I actually had a “real HG” that I can focus on and patiently wait for. It’s really more like a list... that doesn’t get shorter. Sheesh.

It helps to log off TPF for awhile. BC we are all a bunch of enthusiastic enablers.
kind of how, years ago, when I started dieting, I had to stop watching food shows

 

[muchstuff]

I used to do one in-one out and that has worked in the past. Now my collection is tight and I can’t really move anything anymore. Except other bags which is also slim pickings now. I am left with contemporary bags that I doubt I can really move and the designers (mainly Bals) that are really super tough to let go.

Just need to grow a money tree. Or stop... at least for this year. Feels both aren’t doable. Gah!

I have absolutely no advice and no hope personally.

 

[Deco]

Ok. I’m bumping this thread not exactly to ask for back up to buy or not buy a specific Bal...

What I’m asking is how to actually stop this mad Bal hunt for even just the rest of the year.

Had to move with less closet space and feel a little overwhelmed after I actually put all my Bals together. It’s not a lot. Only 10 which is pretty “ok” compared to maybe most Bal gals here. I do have one more on the way and that should be it for me for this year. At least for this year. Please let this be it for this year.

I would love to enjoy what I have and rotate and be normal but even when I’m not looking for anything specific, I’m looking. This is probably the wrong crowd to ask being all Bal enablers and fanatics that we are but with vintage bags popping up (feels like the hunt has gotten better compared to recent years), I wish I actually had a “real HG” that I can focus on and patiently wait for. It’s really more like a list... that doesn’t get shorter. Sheesh.

Be glad you're only looking at bags every day. I look at real estate every day. [no, I don't actually buy them. but I do pine away, daily.]

 

[ghoulish]

I used to do one in-one out and that has worked in the past. Now my collection is tight and I can’t really move anything anymore.

I find this method works best for me as well. I've been really lucky this year, being able to find some of my top HGs, which has forced me to make some tough decisions on what to let go. My fear is that I don't have many options left that I'm willing to part with, and maybe that in itself is a reason to slow down and enjoy my collection.

However, I certainly struggle with all of the beautiful leather & color options out there (not just Bal), along with the thrill of the hunt. There has to be a limit somewhere. I'm sure this is why the finds thread has been popping off lately: we want someone else to enjoy these beautiful bags without the guilt of purchasing it ourselves, but then we enable others instead. It's a vicious cycle.

I love this community here, which is what makes the idea of taking a break from TPF so hard.

Last thing, I remind myself I already have 20ish bags in my collection, most of which I rotate well, but a few just never see the light of day. Could be the color or style doesn't work with my lifestyle, so as tempted as I am to grab that next find, I tell myself it's a shame to hoard it when someone else could get full enjoyment out of it.

 

[betty*blackbent]

Be glad you're only looking at bags every day. I look at real estate every day. [no, I don't actually buy them. but I do pine away, daily.]

My Redfin notifications are LEGION. It doesn’t help that I all of a sudden need to find a place to move with a VERY limited budget and fairly stringent needs

 

[Deco]

My Redfin notifications are LEGION. It doesn’t help that I all of a sudden need to find a place to move with a VERY limited budget and fairly stringent needs

I'm glad I'm not the only one spammed to death by Redfin, with only myself to blame.

 

[maxxout]

When I started collecting, I had a specific range that I stuck with. I only wanted bags from 2003 through 2005. And then, I only wanted colors that would fit with my existing wardrobe. I am older than most of you and my aesthetic and style has solidified. I rarely (I think I can even say I never) purchase anything that doesn’t work for me.
I’m also a minimalist by nature and it’s rare for me to have so many of something. But I truly fell in love with these bags, and it was fun to hunt them down. In two years I got every bag I wanted. I still have most of them.
The last two bags that I got were Hermès Kelly’s to have some thing completely different. I don’t think they’re better bags they just fulfill a different purpose.
I don’t remember what year I got them but it was at least five years ago. I haven’t bought a bag since then. And although the 2003 dark turquoise would be great to have, I have a 2005 indigo and that’s good enough.

So, Norm I’m not sure what advice I can give other than tell you how I proceeded with the collection and also I can say that I started collecting when I was taking a pause in my art production. I believe it filled a hole that was left from not being fulfilled doing artwork in my studio.
If I felt I needed to stop doing something, I think it would be easier for me to start doing some thing else that fill the space that the other thing I wanted to quit was filling.

 

[saranga]

@Norm.Core Sounds like you might be addicted to buying things for the sake of buying. That's never a good thing.

For me it's (usually) quite simple. Either I have the disposable/discretionary funds to responsibly buy something and not miss the money later on when there's an emergency to be funded, or I don't.

I tend to be picky about what I buy. I don't settle for things, I don't buy something simply because it's cheap or a good deal, etc.

I take a leap if I think it's something I could easily rehome and recoup most (if not all) of my money.

Will you miss this money if you spent it? Will buying more Bals improve your life in the long term or dramatically elevate your look somehow?

Each time you're tempted to buy something you know you don't need, take the money you would have spent and put it into a separate account. See how much piles up after awhile and see if you still want to spend it on these non-grail bags.

PS. I'm very good at talking people out of buying things I think they don't need. I don't like to indiscriminately urge people to buy things. Financial health and security should always come first.

And the interesting thing is, people usually already have their minds made up by the time they seek advice from others. Whether they realize it or not. What they're really seeking is extra justification or support to steam on with it. I believe neuroscience research backs me on this.

 

[Norm.Core]

Thanks everybody for taking the time to give me some really helpful advise.

I think the next time I get the urge for a new Bal, I’ll take out all my favourites and condition them. That’ll get me to appreciate my small but tight Bal collection.