off of frugality

**paintedsky** · 03-17-2007, 11:12 PM

I have never before in my life bought a designer bag and today I finally broke down and did it. Before I could never fathom spending over 30 dollars on a handbag yet today I spent about 220 :surprise: for both a wallet and a handbag combined :-x and it now seems like I have a sudden passion for handbags. However I rationalized it saying it was on sale, cheaper then louis vuitton, and my bday present as my bf was going to buy it anyway. A rather prepicked present :-D

Has anyone else done something like this that you would never think you would buy, but end up eventually buying anyway or liking and having someone else buy it for you as a gift idea? I never in a million years would have thought I would have a thing for handbags that cost that much money! I'm usually the type to buy cheap bags at target, filenes, and occasionally walmart and they are all really plain and basic.

**FrugalMomof3** · 03-17-2007, 11:20 PM

I've done it before, I do have a Louis Vuitton Agenda which cost $195 but I use it and treasure it with all I have. Now I wont be buying anything designer for a while but I just wanted one so bad so I saved and saved for it and I got it. I think every once in a while we deserve it, we work hard to support our families, do our daily jobs as women/moms that we deserve something extra special.

I also have quite a few Coach handbags and a LV Germaine Handbag (all authentic) but they were purchased on ebay at an almost 75% discount so I find that to be about the same price as thrift stores and better than being on sale at the stores.

**autumnlynn** · 03-18-2007, 12:31 AM

I have a Kate Spade wallet that a friend got me for Christmas, and I love it. It is so special, and makes me feel special to carry it. It really is beautiful.

I'm on the Dave Ramsey plan and get blow money each pay. If I want to save up and buy something designer; that's my business and I'll do it. It's very easy to get caught up with designer things, and unless I saved my blow money like Tracy mentioned above, I wouldn't get it.

**Neeley** · 03-18-2007, 12:36 AM

Personally, I love purses. I hate clothes, hate shoes, really do not care for jewelry, but give me a purse and I am a happy camper. My favorite designer bags are from Coach and Kate Spade. DH even got my prescription sunglasses done in Coach frames, and DD's regular glasses in Coach frames. I just love mine. A good bag will last for years. I have had a Polo bag DH gave me in 1992. It was like $250 back then, but it was money well spent. I still have that purse in my rotation of handbags I use and it still looks new. (I switch bags every couple of weeks.)

**cherrie79** · 03-18-2007, 09:10 AM

I will often buy designer bags and always have a way to defend my purchase. LoL Say I spend 400 on a purse. I buy basic always in style purses. This helps making them last years. So a $400 purse that lasts me 10 years - is really only $40 per year for the purse. You can spend $40 on a Target purse that lasts a couple months.

**mcphlips** · 03-18-2007, 09:16 AM

I have a few purses like that... a denim Kate Spade, and a small Prada and a tan Dooney and Burke. Fortunatly I have gotten all of them as gifts from my sisters who love a good bag.

They are great for that....
I know what you mean about liking the bags.... I definately take better care of them.. never set them on a floor if I can help it..where as if it is a Target bag, etc.. I'm more likely to fling it all over the place.

I used to feel like that about shoes,..but lately I go into a store wanting to buy something and I get all anxious because I think of all the other things that money should go for... can you believe guilt over BLOW MONEY!!

UGGHH I gotta stop that.

**JustJoy** · 03-18-2007, 10:17 AM

I'm with Tracy! I think that every once in awhile we need to do something special for ourselves. I see nothing wrong with splurging on myself a couple of times a year. Hey.... we deserve it

**elizabethrose** · 03-18-2007, 10:56 AM

Ooooh, I love purses, bags, totes, dipe bags! I used to spend lots of $ on them, and I was just recently thinking abt the kind of bag I wanted for the spring. Then, on a whim, I was going thru my fabric stash, and found some really nice spring fabric. I basically made a long rectangle, sewed up the sides, boxed the corners, attached handles and pockets, and its adorable. I am really proud of myself, as I've been eyeing some "custom " made bags at designer shops around town. Now I have found a way to fulfill my passion for bags w/o breaking the bank.
My 10 yr old made a spring bag last night out of a fabric placemat and some coordinating ribbon, and a silk flower for decoration. Its adorable.

**brainyblonde** · 03-18-2007, 11:40 AM

I would never spend big money on a designer purse. I do, however, buy designer items gently used for a fraction of the price.

**Hollyhandi** · 03-18-2007, 12:07 PM

I got me a purse to . Expensive to me for $20.00 at Sears.
I'm never going to be into buying a purse for more than that....

**MamaBear209** · 03-18-2007, 12:50 PM

I think every woman should have at least one authentic LV

I bought mine in Europe when we went there and still marvel at the quality. It just looks better the older it gets. I'm not much into signature stuff but I have a few quality stuff that will last forever (I think). I splurge a few times, use a credit card but don't ever go into debt since I pay it when the bill comes, I still come out ahead because of the cashback rewards. Men have their big boy "toys", I think we should have ours, too.

**kaykwilts** · 03-18-2007, 03:08 PM

I can't imagine spending $200 on a purse! I'd be afraid to carry it and have it stolen from me. Before I married I did spend like $65 for an Aigner leather purse.

**elizabethrose** · 03-18-2007, 05:00 PM

Just curious, to those of you that spend big $$ on purses, do your kids not spill stuff on them, or put sticky/messy stuff in them? I mean, I'm always having to store a half-eaten banana or snotty tissue, or some other gross item in my bag. I can't imagine having st uber expensive and doing that. Drinks can get spilled on them, st you need to put your bag on the floor, ect I would think w/i a year it would look really beat up. Also, I would be afraid in a year or so I wouldn't like the style any more, is that an issue? Bc it wouldn't be a value at all, unless it was never replaced, right? I was just thinking, that although it may be in fine shape, are you happy with the style after many years? No critisicms, just curious!

**dcompton** · 03-18-2007, 05:49 PM

I've not done it with purses, but I blew big bucks last fall for a couple of aquariums, stands, etc after swearing I would never, ever have fish again. And plenty on fish too, since for some reason it took months to get the water chemistry stabilized and sadly required many replacements. I would think the problem was fixed and suddenly, boom, more fishy funerals. Happily its all running smoothly now so upkeep is minimal.

**FrugalWitch** · 03-18-2007, 06:19 PM

Not with purses or designer clothes. My weakness is antique jewelry, so once a year I get one nice piece at the pawnshop. My best deal so far was getting an antique wedding set that was listed as having a 20 point center stone. I paid $195.00 for the set. After I got it home and cleaned all the crud off, the center stone was actually a half-carat old European cut of high quality. The set appraised for $1400.00.