What item could you “afford” but don’t buy?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A new car.

I’ve never bought a new car. I always think that I would like one but I don’t do it.

My husband is a new car guy. Last year, I bought a 2-year-old Volvo with 20K miles and a 100K extended warranty. It was more than 20K cheaper than new. I think he might be a believer now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't buy expensive sunglasses. They get lost or broken way too easily, especially with small kids.

One of my friends was a private equity consultant who worked with sunglass brands. He said all the sunglasses were $50 and the name that was the only difference.

[Anonymous]

Agree with sunglasses
Seasonal clothing or rarely worn clothing. I can afford to buy new clothes for myself and my kid but can’t justify the prices of consumerism behind the churning out of clothing so I get most of our stuff from thrift store.

Buying a brand new car. I can afford to but it doesn’t make sense

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't buy expensive sunglasses. They get lost or broken way too easily, especially with small kids.

I never understood this craze either. But my prescription sunglasses are pricey and I can’t do anything about that.

Warby Parker or other online places will help you save money on prescription glasses. I have a really strong prescription and my glasses from my eye doctor used to cost $500. Now they are $150.

Warby Parker is great. I'll say that with a strong prescription it's best to go in store though so they can help you pick glasses that will work with thickness of the lens. My dh ran into that issue, they were fantastic in store.

[Anonymous]

I think about this sometimes especially when I see women with $$$$ handbags.

I could theoretically buy a bag like that and be financially totally fine, but I'd still feel like it's too much money and I could save it/spend it on something more worthy and important. I wonder at what level of wealth these calculations stop and the purchase feels like a fine thing.

[Anonymous]

Business class or first class flights. I could technically afford it (and did it once for an overnight flight) but I just can't spend the money. Maybe when my kids are grown and I am older and just travelling with by husband I'll do it.

[Anonymous]

A Rolex and a porsche.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A beach house. I really want one in theory, but I know that we'd never actually be able to go to it.

Private school. My kids prefer to stay with neighborhood kids.

Country Club. I cannot stand the pretentiousness out them.

+1 on the second two. We do have a beach house though, and while we don’t get to use it as much as I’d like, I’m still glad to have it.

Do you think it’s worth it for 2-3 weeks a year and maybe a few weekends?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't buy expensive sunglasses. They get lost or broken way too easily, especially with small kids.

I’m the poster child for this. I do buy them and over the last 20 years or so, I’ve probably lost ten pairs. Which is just so strange to me because I am meticulous and I never ever lose anything (else). Then I always buy another pair thinking “I’m definitely not losing these, I’ll be very careful this time.” I’ll never learn.

[Anonymous]

I don't buy name brand anything, clothing, handbags, etc., and always buy used cars and drive them into the ground. The nicest piece of jewlwery I own is my engagement ring - I don't want or need anything else. We are probably the millionaires next door, you'd never know it, but are wealthy.

We are content with what things we have. We travel frequently - could afford first class and $$$ hotels, but we don't. Now for the super long-haul flights, we will upgrade, but it seems wasteful to spend so much on something we feel is unnecessary.

[Anonymous]

Second+ home, and country club. Easily could afford both but don't care to vacation or hang out at only the same spots all the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think about this sometimes especially when I see women with $$$$ handbags.

I could theoretically buy a bag like that and be financially totally fine, but I'd still feel like it's too much money and I could save it/spend it on something more worthy and important. I wonder at what level of wealth these calculations stop and the purchase feels like a fine thing.

I'm realistically way too hard on my handbags to carry an expensive one.I have one nice coach purse that was gifted to me and I only use it for fancy occasions. My regular handbags get filled with crayons and kid snacks and sit on all sorts of surfaces. I buy the most durable one I can find.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A new car.

I’ve never bought a new car. I always think that I would like one but I don’t do it.

I’m 60 and have never bought a new car either. I just don’t care about cars enough to even want a new one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't buy expensive sunglasses. They get lost or broken way too easily, especially with small kids.

I’m the poster child for this. I do buy them and over the last 20 years or so, I’ve probably lost ten pairs. Which is just so strange to me because I am meticulous and I never ever lose anything (else). Then I always buy another pair thinking “I’m definitely not losing these, I’ll be very careful this time.” I’ll never learn.

You have described me. I do not break or lose anything, ever...except sunglasses. I don't buy expensive ones anymore though, because I finally accepted that I should not have them.

[Anonymous]

Shoes, bags, jewelry, sunglasses, services. Too many things to list. I don't think I own any brands worth mentioning. I do own same things in different colors and doubles in case they stop making them.
It would be easier to write what I do buy. I don't even own a home right now.
I don't do it on purpose. God I have tried to be a consumer and the stuff just slows me down and keeps me down.