Why is it that shoes and handbags are always the items pointed out as "wasted money?"

[Ember]

You can "waste" money on any number of things: TV's, game systems, cell phones, cars, trips, furnishings, jewelry, power tools, etc. But yet, it's always the poor person who like shoes and handbags who gets raked across the coals for their shallow, wasteful spending. What's up with that?!

Anyway, my beautiful Burberry bag and I will be over here in the corner.

 

[julluvsdisney]

I don't think you can waste money on any of those things you mentioned! If you truly enjoy something how can it be a waste of money? I love "wasting" my money on my bags trips and jewelry! I do however always buy with some kinda of discount! Why give my hard earned money away if I don't have to? Gotta treat yourself! I work hard for my money so I think I deserve those things!

 

[beansmom]

well, they ARE a waste of money if you (like me) buy every one that takes your fancy...then never carry one anyway coz it's a pain in the ar*e.

Shoes...the same. HOnestly, how many pair DO we really need at a time? I'm thinking somewhat less than the circa 100 I have.

 

[beansmom]

case in point...i HAD to had a lovely red bag when we were in FLorence last month. HAD to have it...yeah...it's still up in the shopping bag it came in coz i don't carry a purse.

Somebody shoot me.

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

The only people that bother me are the ones that have special shoes and a matching purse for every day of the year, every season, every holiday, etc.... and don't pay their bills.

If one has the money and chooses to spend it on shoes and purses, I say yay for them.

 

[Mixie]

I would love to waste money on shoes.

Sadly, I have the feet of a duck and can't hardly find shoes to fit my feet.

I treasure every shoe I find that actually fits me. I buy them even if I don't need them because it's rare to find something that will fit me.

I own about 10 pairs of dress shoes, 2 pairs of boots, 2 pairs of sneakers and about 6 pairs of sandals.

 

[julluvsdisney]

I also wanted to add what is it anyones business if someone "wastes" their own money? my mother in law likes to comment on everything I "waste" my money on like yearly trip to disney or a coach bag ect. This is a woman who make 1/5 the amount of money I do and wants to judge me on how I spend my extra money. Enjoy that burberry honey you deserve it!

 

[prncess674]

I would love to waste money on shoes.

Sadly, I have the feet of a duck and can't hardly find shoes to fit my feet.

I treasure every shoe I find that actually fits me. I buy them even if I don't need them because it's rare to find something that will fit me.

I own about 10 pairs of dress shoes, 2 pairs of boots, 2 pairs of sneakers and about 6 pairs of sandals.

If you love beautiful shoes and have wide feet then try on a few pair of Stuart Weitzman shoes. They are so pretty and one of the only designers who makes wides! Check out Zappos since they pay for shipping in both directions.

 

[DawnM]

Wow.....I didn't even know what a Burberry was until I looked it up just now.....I personally wouldn't spend that much on a handbag, but I would certainly find another way to spend it.....so, no judgement....handbags just aren't my weapon of choice.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

Enjoy your new handbag. I "waste" money on Wdw and it does frequently get pointed out to me.

 

[Ember]

Wow.....I didn't even know what a Burberry was until I looked it up just now.....I personally wouldn't spend that much on a handbag, but I would certainly find another way to spend it.....so, no judgement....handbags just aren't my weapon of choice.

LOL! I feel like that when people talk electronics! When did televisions get so complicated anyway?!

 

[Pigeon]

Well, for one thing, this is the budget board. I think if you were to find a "Designers Matter to Me" board, you'd get a different response.

IMO, spending money on stuff because it's a designer brand is a waste of money. If I can get things that are of equal quality (hold up well and are just as functional) without spending large amounts of money on them, it's hard for me to see that getting that "Coach" or whatever brand name on them is a responsible use of my resources. I genuinely couldn't care less about snob appeal.

 

[Planogirl]

I think that handbags are a waste of money....for ME. I don't like them so any old utilitarian low cost bag will do for me. Shoes are different. I like shoes but don't see the sense in owning a zillion pairs. But again that is only true for ME.

I'd only see a problem if someone is having trouble paying their mortgage or they complain that they can't afford things and yet they buy lots of bags and shoes.

 

[Ember]

Well, for one thing, this is the budget board. I think if you were to find a "Designers Matter to Me" board, you'd get a different response.

IMO, spending money on stuff because it's a designer brand is a waste of money. If I can get things that are of equal quality (hold up well and are just as functional) without spending large amounts of money on them, it's hard for me to see that getting that "Coach" or whatever brand name on them is a responsible use of my resources. I genuinely couldn't care less about snob appeal.

I was complaining with a light heart. Relax.

The same argument could made for just about everything people buy. You can always get it cheaper or do without. There is very little actual reason for anything beyond a basic used car, no one needs a large screen tv, and vacations are all just wants, not needs. But in casual conversation or on the boards, you rarely hear things like, "He spent 300 on a drill, what a dope!" With the insinuation being that he's seconds away from the poor house for his irresponsible financial management, which we all know is obvious because he bought an expensive drill!

No, no, it's always purses and shoes that lead to financial downfall!

 

[Pigeon]

I was complaining with a light heart. Relax.

The same argument could made for just about everything people buy. You can always get it cheaper or do without. There is very little actual reason for anything beyond a basic used car, no one needs a large screen tv, and vacations are all just wants, not needs. But in casual conversation or on the boards, you rarely hear things like, "He spent 300 on a drill, what a dope!" With the insinuation being that he's seconds away from the poor house for his irresponsible financial management, which we all know is obvious because he bought an expensive drill!

No, no, it's always purses and shoes that lead to financial downfall!

Your drill example is pretty telling. Spending more money on higher quality tools can be a frugal choice. Higher quality tools generally last longer and perform better than cheaper tools. They are made of better materials and have better performance specs. People don't spend more money on good tools for no practical reason.

Designer clothing is purely frivolous.

 

[Nayan]

It's nothing for me to spend upwards to $200/$300 for shoes. I'm on my feet all day and a good pair of well made shoes make all the difference! I love handbags as well but don't splurge as often as I do shoes .

 

[Ember]

Your drill example is pretty telling. Spending more money on higher quality tools can be a frugal choice. Higher quality tools generally last longer and perform better than cheaper tools. They are made of better materials and have better performance specs. People don't spend more money on good tools for no practical reason.

Designer clothing is purely frivolous.

Ah, yes, it can be a frugal choice. But only if you're a professional or talented hobbyist who can really appreciate and will make use of the higher quality. There are plenty of people who will buy the much more expensive drill to put up Ikea shelving and then keep in the garage with the rest of their tools, that rarely get used, because of the feelings having an expensive drill inspires. Which makes it's a pretty frivolous purchase.

 

[DawnM]

I see your point, but I do think that the argument can be made that most of us choose our poison and we all spend on something and critique others who spend differently.

My friends bought a van. We bought an SUV. Our SUV cost about 8K more than their car.....they criticized us for it. Other friends bought a BMW. That cost them $40K more than our SUV. We criticized them for their purchase.

Our house prob. cost less than many of the houses on this board, but it also probably costs much more than others.....we can weigh all of that too.

The point is, we all have our set spending points for various things.

Believe me, you can search my posts....I am the first one to say NOT to spend, esp. if you don't have the money, but it appears OP does have the funds.....

Dawn

Your drill example is pretty telling. Spending more money on higher quality tools can be a frugal choice. Higher quality tools generally last longer and perform better than cheaper tools. They are made of better materials and have better performance specs. People don't spend more money on good tools for no practical reason.

Designer clothing is purely frivolous.

 

[Marionnette]

You can "waste" money on any number of things: TV's, game systems, cell phones, cars, trips, furnishings, jewelry, power tools, etc. But yet, it's always the poor person who like shoes and handbags who gets raked across the coals for their shallow, wasteful spending. What's up with that?!

Anyway, my beautiful Burberry bag and I will be over here in the corner.

It's not always shoes and handbags. Sometimes it Starbucks and SUVs. Pick your poison...someone will think that it's wasteful spending. They will roll their eyes and shake their heads at your spendiness (is that even a word?). You'll be branded as a reckless spender doomed to be in debt forever. You will die without a penny to your name. All because you had to have those designer shoes and matching handbag.

Feel better? Me, too. I'm going to hop in my SUV and head out to Starbucks for a grande mocha latte...extra foam. I might even drive 50 miles one way just because I can.

 

[Ember]

Believe me, you can search my posts....I am the first one to say NOT to spend, esp. if you don't have the money, but it appears OP does have the funds.....

Dawn

Well, if by "have the funds" you mean I'm debt free and actively saving for retirement, then yes. However, I am not the sort of person for whom a designer handbag is just spare change. I saved up my extra pennies for a good while to splurge on it. I absolutely could have put the money to better use, but I delighted in my choice not to. It's a very pretty handbag!