Like SUZE Orman says "Can I afford it" Thread

[disneyofcourse]

Here's mine


Should I buy it or just avoid the mall till it's sold out.

Usually when I see something I like at the mall I leave it behind for at least 2-3 days. Then if I really still want it I'll go back to buy it. Well I found this really nice coat that I am in love with but it's a little over $250.00. It can be worn with jeans and sneakers or dressed up. It's a classic style coat that I see myself wearing three years from now. BUT The price!! Here's the deal I have a 30% off coupon to the store and I made $70 for an extra job I did since seeing this coat.
So $75 off with the coupon and $70 off with the cash. Comes to just over $100 plus tax.

Should I or shouldn't I? I will have $150 in checking after paying off this credit card statement(not including the coat) but I'm getting paid again this Monday(900) and have paid all the bills for this month. And Like Suze asks I have 9 months expenses saved and no credit card debt.

Can I afford it?

 

[Swimalie]

If you can say that the coat can be worn with a lot of different outfits and you think it is one that will last a while (not a fad coat that will go out of style after a year) then go for it! And enjoy it.

 

[stephbillalec]

I vote absolutely YES! Go buy that coat!

 

[disneyofcourse]

lol I've been Approved! I'm heading out to the mall when it opens in two hours.

 

[Swimalie]

lol I've been Approved! I'm heading out to the mall when it opens in two hours.

Have fun shopping. We're heading to the mall and REI later today. I had ankle surgery 2 weeks ago so shopping right now is a luxury. Does that mean I'm approved for everything I see, too?

 

[nibab4]

Go for It!!


I always justify purchases like those, with the fact that
I'm not paying full price and nothing is worth full price when you now the stores are going to mark it down in a few weeks and still make money off of the item.

J

 

[patsal]

I would go for it, seems like from what you are saying the coat is going to be $100, will be worn with any outfit you have and you will wear it for at least 3 years...you are paying about $33 a year for the coat. Seems reasonable to me!

 

[roadtripper]

Nine months expenses in an emergency fund, no cc debt, and all bills paid? Enjoy your new coat!

 

[sk!mom]

Just to give another perspective- Do you need a new coat?

It sounds as if you certainly have the money but I'm not a fan of recreational shopping and filling my life with things that I don't need.

To me, if I buy something that I don't need then I feel that I've wasted money- Even if I have the money.

 

[4HppyCamprs]

Sounds like you have your finances together..you are getting the best deal on the coat ...enjoy your recreational shopping and your new coat!!

 

[hambirg]

That is a lot for a coat, but I've found that a little more money for a good classic piece of clothing sometimes is worth it. I bought a white blouse once. It was $35 and that was a lot back when I bought it, BUT I wore that thing, no kidding, for 10 yrs! It eventually became thread bare and I had to throw it out. It sounds like this coat would be a good value. I say go get it. . .if it was me, I might wait til that next paycheck comes in just in case though.

ETA- It's retail at the mall. . .so you know it will be heavily discounted at some point. . .BUT are you comfortable with it possibly not being there then?

 

[DawnM]

This was my first thought as well......I would not spend that much for a coat, ever, but I have a family to tend to and expenses.

If I were single and still earning a good living, and didn't need to worry as much about looming future college expenses and retirement (ah to be young and single again!), I would go for it.

Now that I am old and have a family.....I would never even consider it.

Dawn

Just to give another perspective- Do you need a new coat?

It sounds as if you certainly have the money but I'm not a fan of recreational shopping and filling my life with things that I don't need.

To me, if I buy something that I don't need then I feel that I've wasted money- Even if I have the money.

 

[arminnie]

Just to give another perspective- Do you need a new coat?

It sounds as if you certainly have the money but I'm not a fan of recreational shopping and filling my life with things that I don't need.

To me, if I buy something that I don't need then I feel that I've wasted money- Even if I have the money.

Yes you can afford it - but do you need it?

I am currently having an estate sale for my dad's house. I lived with him for the past decade. I moved from about 3000 sq. ft. to 1000 so I really had to pare down. When I went by to preview the sale (being conducted by a company that does it) I literally could not believe the thousands and thousands of dollars worth of good stuff that I left behind.

I am not in debt and have more than I need at my new place. I have two homes where I have more than enough stuff.

I could find the cutest coat in the whole world for $10, and I would not buy it. I just got rid of an adorable long navy wool coat - and even my beloved leather 75 year Mickey jacket.

The question I try to ask myself now is when would I wear this that I don't already have something just as good? But I have to admit that I still buy too much!

 

[tink_lover]

I had to laugh reading this - I love that part of the Suze Orman show - anyway, YEARS and years ago, when first married and making very little money, I fell in love with a pink Laura Ashley coat. It was very expensive (I think around $250, but remember this was years ago). I debated for a long time but ultimately got the coat. I wore that thing for YEARS. I absolutely loved it and wore it until it wore out. I look at purchases like that as what is the price per wear? It sounds like you will wear it a lot and get years of use out of it, so I say go for it!!

 

[sdzimm]

Go For It! You waited, and it is on sale.

 

[Ciao Mickey]

Here's mine


Should I buy it or just avoid the mall till it's sold out.

Usually when I see something I like at the mall I leave it behind for at least 2-3 days. Then if I really still want it I'll go back to buy it. Well I found this really nice coat that I am in love with but it's a little over $250.00. It can be worn with jeans and sneakers or dressed up. It's a classic style coat that I see myself wearing three years from now. BUT The price!! Here's the deal I have a 30% off coupon to the store and I made $70 for an extra job I did since seeing this coat.
So $75 off with the coupon and $70 off with the cash. Comes to just over $100 plus tax.

Should I or shouldn't I? I will have $150 in checking after paying off this credit card statement(not including the coat) but I'm getting paid again this Monday(900) and have paid all the bills for this month. And Like Suze asks I have 9 months expenses saved and no credit card debt.

Can I afford it?

You've been APPROVED!

One thing that I've learned is, if you see something in the store and are undecided, BUY THE DARN THING! Cause if you don't, and then want it later, when you go back to the store to get it, it will be GONE...

You can always buy it now and return it if you don't want it.

By the way, I love that segment of her show.

 

[cglaura]

Yes, get the coat! That is a good price for a well made coat that will be worn for years.

And to help even more, look in your closet for stuff you no longer wear. Sell it to put towards the new coat, or if no buyers donate to a woman's center.

We try to always get rid of something when bringing in something new. Even if it is not from the same category, just so "stuff" doesn't start piling up.

 

[disneyofcourse]

Just got back from the mall. You guys won't believe after all this should I get it or not they ....... Didn't have my size left! I'm not buying it until it goes on sale again or I have a good coupon. They had bigger sizes but I just can't buy an expensive coat that doesn't fit perfectly.

 

[patsal]

Well consider that a pebble in the road. Perhaps that is a sign of an even better deal on the way!

 

[allison443]

I had to laugh reading this - I love that part of the Suze Orman show - anyway, YEARS and years ago, when first married and making very little money, I fell in love with a pink Laura Ashley coat. It was very expensive (I think around $250, but remember this was years ago). I debated for a long time but ultimately got the coat. I wore that thing for YEARS. I absolutely loved it and wore it until it wore out. I look at purchases like that as what is the price per wear? It sounds like you will wear it a lot and get years of use out of it, so I say go for it!!

I agree with looking at the "price per wear" for a clothing item. I do this with my kids all the time. Paying $100 for a coat you are going to wear every day for four months, for the next three years? Great! Paying $100 for a fad-type purse or shoes, that you don't wear that often and you won't want to wear next year, no.

I also don't think $100 is too much for a quality winter coat that can be worn with jeans or dress clothes.

ETA, sorry I just read your post that they didn't have your size! Keep your eyes open for another good deal!