Milestone birthday amidst job loss

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You don’t have that much money saved for someone your age and now you want to spend more money to signify you’re getting even older? And on top of that you’re going to poorly troll about how it’s all DOGE’s fault when really you just can’t budget?

Spend that money on a finance class for the middle aged instead.

WTH are you talking about? She has more than a years worth of money in non-retirement accounts. OP is doing really well, if anything.

She grosses 200K and has like 173K she can liquidate.

OP, go get the bracelet!

[Anonymous]

PP here, I'm wrong. 190K.

[Anonymous]

Just curious, OP--which lock bracelet? Are we talking $4k or $40k?

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t get the bracelet but I would do something special for myself that is less expensive. Can you take the day off, go to the art museum for the day, then buy a realm indulgent dessert? Or something like that?

I’m 52 and trying to remember what I did for my 40th but am drawing a complete blank. 40 seems like a weird one to celebrate. It’s no longer really the over the hill party given how active people are in their 40s. And it’s not the “I’m finally a real grownup” that 30 is. 50 is the new 40, really. That’s your “make me feel like I’m not just getting old” milestone birthday when you need to spend money on yourself to distract from the state of your neck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don’t buy the bracket until you have a new job. You won’t have the same joy wearing it when it’s coupled with guilt and money fear. Instead of buying it to mark your birthday, buy it to celebrate your new job and the fact that you preserved.

This. You will regret the purchase later if you feel stretched after losing your job.

[Anonymous]

Eh, I would wait. If I was facing unemployment I would not spend a lot on a piece of jewelry. It will be there next year when you will know more about your finances.

That piece of metal will not be there for you if you have trouble finding a new job.

Find something else that might bring you happiness. I also had a Covid milestone birthday and it sucked, but now it’s just a blip in my life. You’ll get through this too, but making smart financial choices is worth more than a fleeting adrenaline rush from a new bracelet.

[Anonymous]

My milestones were new jobs and promotions. That's when I bought myself key pieces of jewelry since I "earned" it. Nothing earned for a birthday except for maybe botox!

[Anonymous]

I've never understood the appeal of "fine jewelry" and certainly not something so overpriced simply because it come in a little blue box. You should be looking for. New job now, not waiting for the other shoe to drop.

[Anonymous]

No. Overpriced Tiffany crap is not worth it even if you could afford it. Buy something not mass produced.

Sorry about the job. Don't buy anything right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You don’t have that much money saved for someone your age and now you want to spend more money to signify you’re getting even older? And on top of that you’re going to poorly troll about how it’s all DOGE’s fault when really you just can’t budget?

Spend that money on a finance class for the middle aged instead.

A little harsh, but yeah, this.

[Anonymous]

Grow up. You can’t afford it. How do people not understand that you don’t just get to live beyond your means because you feel like it?

[Anonymous]

I would recommend spending your money on something practical for your birthday. So, if you need a new cell phone, laptop computer, car, work clothes, home repairs, focus on those needs and call it your 40th birthday present.

You aren't at the point where you can spend $4K plus on a piece of jewelry.

[Anonymous]

This is OP and wow harsh to some of the responses. I only noted my liquid savings not my entire nest egg because I’m not touching my retirement or home equity if I get laid off and definitely not buying jewelry. I have about $800K in my retirement accounts (just mine, not including what my husband has saved) and I have nearly a million in equity on my house. Oh and I have no debt other than my mortgage. I’m not hurting. At the same time I already acknowledged I can’t buy the bracelet right now because of the uncertainty. It just sucks to have worked as hard as I have and face a layoff just as I’m turning 40.

For those asking which bracelet, the one I’m looking at that I’ll hopefully buy eventually is the simple one without diamonds that’s about $7500. Again I know I can’t get it right now. It just sucks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At your salary your savings are very modest. You need to build up a nest egg and not buy jewelry.

I agree with this. Your savings are quite low given your salary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is OP and wow harsh to some of the responses. I only noted my liquid savings not my entire nest egg because I’m not touching my retirement or home equity if I get laid off and definitely not buying jewelry. I have about $800K in my retirement accounts (just mine, not including what my husband has saved) and I have nearly a million in equity on my house. Oh and I have no debt other than my mortgage. I’m not hurting. At the same time I already acknowledged I can’t buy the bracelet right now because of the uncertainty. It just sucks to have worked as hard as I have and face a layoff just as I’m turning 40.

For those asking which bracelet, the one I’m looking at that I’ll hopefully buy eventually is the simple one without diamonds that’s about $7500. Again I know I can’t get it right now. It just sucks.

I’m sorry OP, you are allowed to be sad and vent. I hope you find another way to celebrate your milestone birthday.