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

[southern_redhead]

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!

This X 1000. If you have the money to buy it without making bills late or not eating then I don't see the problem. Could you find a "better" use of the money? Sure. OTOH, my BIL saves something like 85% of his income (no lie - he also lives in his sister's house, eats her food, drives a car that works half the time.......but he does BRAG about how much he has in savings ) and will die with ALL that money in an account because he is afraid to SPEND anything. He won't even turn on lights at night or heat in the winter. Seriously, why be miserable for life? (sidenote: I do believe he has an undiagnosed and untreated personality disorder so while I find his situation somewhat ridiculous I do feel sorry for him....sorta.)

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.

They don't bother me unless they want me to pay those bills for them. Otherwise, it's their money and they can fritter it away however they want.

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.

LOL I hope you wear your matching designer handbag and shoes (that match that ONE outfit only!) while doing so I love me some Starbucks and I have an XTRA large SUV that I love. We'd have the room we need in a van but I've BTDT and I don't want to drive a van again (unless, maybe, I could get a top of the line really cool one....if they ever make one of those )


OP, I'd LOVE to waste money on shoes and purses but I can never find any I like that well. I tend to be a purse a year kinda gal and, even then, it's with a purse I can "tolerate". Current purse is a $25 one from Target that I got last June. Don't love it but haven't seen anything I like better so I still carry it. But we "waste" money traveling all the time. And "waste" it on the kids getting them new clothes, toys, electronics compared to some people we know. On the flip side of that we "save" money compared to others who buy far more than we do. It is sort of like "the grass is always greener" to me, you will always be doing it differently from other people. As long as it works for you why should they get their knickers in a twist?

 

[julluvsdisney]

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!

Like I said enjoy that burberry honey!! you made that money you spend that money!! Yes if you were spending your welfare check on your Burberry then you sold your food stamps for beer than we could all say how wrong you are to do that. BUT you clearly have a job so you do what you want with YOUR money!!! And any one that wants to say its a waste of money should mind their own business! EVERYONE has something they spend THEIR money on so how can anyone point fingers?!?!? No one on this board can say someone else "wastes" their money on something because A LOT of people look at us disney fanatics as "wasting" money on many trips to disney! The way I see it I pay my mortgage my car payments 401k ect so why not enjoy some of it as I see fit? The only one I answer so is my husband (barely lol)! Im gonna die eventually and I want to enjoy money while I can!

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

They don't bother me unless they want me to pay those bills for them. Otherwise, it's their money and they can fritter it away however they want.

They bother me when they owe ME money!!

 

[csharpwv]

Here is the perspective from a guy....

I got so tired of my wife's mom buying her knock off Coach bags and others at flea markets, vendors etc - they were literally FILLING a whole closet in our house. Did they look 'real'? For the first few weeks/months depending on how well they were made. Broken zippers, ripped seams, buttons/fasteners falling apart were par for the course.

So for our anniversary a few years ago, I finally bought her a real Coach bag. That bag looks as good today as it did the day I gave it to her. I have since bought her a couple more, and they hold up well, they don't wear out, and they are timeless.

I always thought expensive purses were a waste of money as well - however, buying cheap crap that rips, breaks, and literally becomes waste is FAR more wasteful than spending a decent amount of money on a high quality designer bag.

Just my opinion as a guy!

 

[julluvsdisney]

Here is the perspective from a guy....

I got so tired of my wife's mom buying her knock off Coach bags and others at flea markets, vendors etc - they were literally FILLING a whole closet in our house. Did they look 'real'? For the first few weeks/months depending on how well they were made. Broken zippers, ripped seams, buttons/fasteners falling apart were par for the course.

So for our anniversary a few years ago, I finally bought her a real Coach bag. That bag looks as good today as it did the day I gave it to her. I have since bought her a couple more, and they hold up well, they don't wear out, and they are timeless.

I always thought expensive purses were a waste of money as well - however, buying cheap crap that rips, breaks, and literally becomes waste is FAR more wasteful than spending a decent amount of money on a high quality designer bag.

Just my opinion as a guy!

My thoughts exactly! Money well spent!!!! All of mine are still usuable and in great condition! Also they come with a lifetime warrenty. My friends dog ate hers and she brought it back and they gave her a new one! You can waste money on bags that will fall apart or spend it on one that will last a long time!!

 

[pintamino]

Higher quality tools generally last longer and perform better than cheaper tools. They are made of better materials and have better performance specs.

The exact same thing could be said of designer clothing, bags, and shoes. I have a pair of designer heels I've had for five years and wore everywhere, they're comfortable enough to wear all day and look brand new. In the same span of time, I've walked through COUNTLESS pairs of cheaper shoes from places like Kohls.

If it's something I'm not wearing all the time I'll go with the cheaper option, but for "lasting longer, performing better, and being made of better materials"? Designer all the way.

I understand not everybody thinks that way, like my mom -- but I'm still carrying a Coach bag I bought in high school, and she breaks a cheaper purse every three months. But I don't fling money at designer brands for the "bragging" rights (I rarely buy "logo" designer, as well - prefer simple looks without branding all over them) -- it has absolutely everything to do with a superior product that will last me as long as I need it to, and beyond.

 

[DawnM]

Yes, this is essentially what I mean. $700 isn't spare change for us either, but we can plan for it and spend without worrying either.

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!

 

[Mixie]

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.

Zappos is my main link for shoes. Thankful for their free shipping! I send back more than I keep.

Stuart Weitzman - not wide enough. I have seriously wide feet. Size 6EEEE. Really.

 

[patsal]

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.

Love my Burberry tote, purse, wallet, key fob, gloves and hat...so you won't hear anything bad from me. However when a student lifted my wallet and I had to fill out a police report you should have seen the principal and the police officer's face when I told them the price of the wallet! My feeling is so long as you earned your money you have the right to spend it however you want!

 

[iheartdisney]

i just can't justify spending more for a purse than I have money to put in said purse.
I never got the shoe thing, since shoe designers don't bother for us big-footed ladies.
I DO have a problem with people who gripe and moan that they can't afford health insurance, yet the have an iphone. Big screen TVs don't belong in government subsidized housing.

 

[SunnieRN]

Is Burberry like Coach, in the fact that if you go to an outlet there are some real coach bags and some outlet bags? Look at this site:

http://www.burberrychainstores.com/burberry-purses-women-purses-c-3_19.html

 

[SunnieRN]

Oh, and I have to add that I never saw the lure of designer purses, until Dooney and Disney partnered up. Yea, I own a few.

Life is short! If you find something that makes you happy and you can afford it, go for it.

I will say though, that I am afraid to use my Dooneys on a daily basis and use my Vera's instead.

 

[jmpellet]

I love my new shiny black Dansko clogs and they were worth every penny of the $100 they cost! I do buy Coach purses but I have just a few and use them for several years. From the outlet of course. To each his own.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

Oh, and I have to add that I never saw the lure of designer purses, until Dooney and Disney partnered up. Yea, I own a few.

Life is short! If you find something that makes you happy and you can afford it, go for it.

I will say though, that I am afraid to use my Dooneys on a daily basis and use my Vera's instead.

I'm with you. I never had a name brand purse till DH bought me a Disney Dooney for Christmas. It has left the house once. On our Valentines Day (before) date. I just can't fathom the money he spent on it. I was so nervous to take it out. I have it on my fireplace. It is empty and I look at it every day. It is just beautiful. But I wonder when it will see daylight again.

 

[DawnM]

I wouldn't want a purse I can't take out without worrying sick about it.....but I do have a B. Makowsky bag that was given to me.....I believe it is over $200 new.....black leather hobo type....I have used it for over a year now and it still looks brand new inside and out.

But I don't stress over it since I didn't pay that!

What does your Dooney bag look like?

Dawn

 

[SunnieRN]

I'm with you. I never had a name brand purse till DH bought me a Disney Dooney for Christmas. It has left the house once. On our Valentines Day (before) date. I just can't fathom the money he spent on it. I was so nervous to take it out. I have it on my fireplace. It is empty and I look at it every day. It is just beautiful. But I wonder when it will see daylight again.

I have a first edition sketch, that I understand (ater buying it), will turn yellow in the sun, so that's out as an every day bag, and a Disneyland 50th bag. I grew up in CA, going to DL, so this is particularly spectacular to me! I was told it would be an exclusive to DL, but they are now selling on the Disney shopping site. But I wouldn't trade that one! I do use my Dooney wristlets sometimes.

I really think I am just to cheap and shouldn't have gotten Dooneys. lol, as I am too scared to use them. I think I would be afraid to have it on the mantle as it would be exposed to the sun. But, I bet it looks BEAUTIFUL!!!

And my what a good and thoughtful husband you have!!

 

[SunnieRN]

I wouldn't want a purse I can't take out without worrying sick about it.....but I do have a B. Makowsky bag that was given to me.....I believe it is over $200 new.....black leather hobo type....I have used it for over a year now and it still looks brand new inside and out.

But I don't stress over it since I didn't pay that!

What does your Dooney bag look like?

Dawn

If you go down this page, you will see my tassel tote disney dooney:

http://zannaland.com/disney-dooney-bourke/

My letter carrier from DL 55th birthday is here:

http://zannaland.com/disneyland-dooney-bourke-55th-anniversary/

Please excuse my typo earlier that said DL 50th.

I also have wristlets of these two patterns! And I doubt highly I will buy another designer bag, in less WDW comes out with a 40th Dooney edition.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

What does your Dooney bag look like?

Dawn

I have a first edition sketch, that I understand (ater buying it), will turn yellow in the sun, so that's out as an every day bag, and a Disneyland 50th bag. I grew up in CA, going to DL, so this is particularly spectacular to me! I was told it would be an exclusive to DL, but they are now selling on the Disney shopping site. But I wouldn't trade that one! I do use my Dooney wristlets sometimes.

I really think I am just to cheap and shouldn't have gotten Dooneys. lol, as I am too scared to use them. I think I would be afraid to have it on the mantle as it would be exposed to the sun. But, I bet it looks BEAUTIFUL!!!

And my what a good and thoughtful husband you have!!

Mine is the sketch too, the large (and I do mean LARGE one.) (below) I didn't know it would yellow. I do use the wristlet he got to go with it, the one with Mickey balloons, everyday. I guess I don't worry about the $40. It is perfect. I love having my few needed things on my wrist. Frankly I don't think I will have trouble buying more of those in the future.

Mine is not a real fireplace, it is one of those electric heaters that look like a fireplace, so no issue there, and unfortunatly we live across from a mess of a neighbor so I haven't had my blinds open in literally years, so not much natural light, but now that I know about the yellowing I may move it.

And yes, he is an amazing husband. Best part was he used a 20% off coupon!!!

 

[SunnieRN]

Mine is the sketch too, the large (and I do mean LARGE one.) (below) I didn't know it would yellow. I do use the wristlet he got to go with it, the one with Mickey balloons, everyday. I guess I don't worry about the $40. It is perfect. I love having my few needed things on my wrist. Frankly I don't think I will have trouble buying more of those in the future.

Mine is not a real fireplace, it is one of those electric heaters that look like a fireplace, so no issue there, and unfortunatly we live across from a mess of a neighbor so I haven't had my blinds open in literally years, so not much natural light, but now that I know about the yellowing I may move it.

And yes, he is an amazing husband. Best part was he used a 20% off coupon!!!

Wow, a sketch 2!! My daughter has a big one, just like it, but in the sketch 1 pattern!! The purses make me happy every time I open my closet! I am trying to live a frugal lifestyle now, so it would take a very special Dooney to tempt me.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

Wow, a sketch 2!! My daughter has a big one, just like it, but in the sketch 1 pattern!! The purses make me happy every time I open my closet! I am trying to live a frugal lifestyle now, so it would take a very special Dooney to tempt me.

I don't know anything abut them (sketch 1 and 2,) does that mean that this one won't yellow? I am so frugal, that is why it is hard for me to use. I don't feel like I deserve to have it. He disagrees. I am sure I will get over it and use it, but for now it makes me very happy to look at it. I will say I was stopped by several people the day I did take it out. It is attention getting for sure.