Milestone birthday amidst job loss

[Anonymous]

Unimportant that it's "A Milestone Birthday." This isn't on most people's minds

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where is all your money going? You cannot afford it regardless.

That's what I was about to say. We're the same age and I only have $25k less in cash and investments and the most I made was half what she's making.

[Anonymous]

Treat yourself to a nice dinner or spa day and buy the bracelet when you line up a new job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That bracelet is not going anywhere. Wait until you have a new job.

This. I turned 50 in April and I'm in the middle of spending most of my income on my kid's college tuition. I can't afford to get myself anything. I am mentally planning a trip two years from now when I finally will have the money.

[Anonymous]

You have money and a working spouse. Get the bracelet.

[Anonymous]

OP, I adore jewelry, that's such a great choice. Do not buy new, try to find a second hand one. I saw a rose gold one for $3k in nyc, in the diamond district. check the real real and ebay authentication guarantee, also Japanese sellers on ebay. You have plenty of savings, go live a little and celebrate. You'll wear it for a long time, it's such a great design.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sigh. Yes this is a woe is me post. Skip if you’re going to be a jerk because I’m down already. And yes I know plenty of people have it worse than me. But I’m feeling sulky right now.

I’m turning 40 in July. I had always planned that I’d buy myself a piece of fine jewelry to mark the milestone (I want a Tiffany lock bracelet, I know it’s marked up because of the brand but I love it). But I know I can’t because I’m on the cusp of losing my job thanks to DOGE (contractor who is waiting for the destruction of the turn of the fiscal year). I have the money in savings but I know I have to save it for when I no longer have a job.

It just sucks. I’ve been so successful in my career and I wanted to celebrate turning 40. Instead my career is imploding. And I’m sad that instead of marking my milestone birthday I have to use that money to make up for the fact that my career has been taken away from me.

So DCUM, my question for you is am I allowed to spend any money on myself for my birthday knowing I’ll likely not have a job in a few short months (I know the bracelet is off the table) or do I just need to continue to be as frugal as possible.

For what it’s worth, I currently make ~$200K/year. I have about $65K in liquid savings and another $125K in non-retirement stocks.

Sigh.

I find it incredibly appalling that you just lost your job and you're trying to justify blowing $5k on a piece of jewelry. What is wrong with you? Buy the bracelet when you get a job.

Women = brr.money

[Anonymous]

Nope to the bracelet.

[Anonymous]

Buy a cheaper sterling silver knockoff bracelet for yourself OP. You like the look but you don't need to pay the Tiffany's price. It's more important you save money right now.

[Anonymous]

Do not buy a knockoff. You will always think it's less than. Get the bracelet.

[Anonymous]

Why are you reporting "your" savings and retirement separately from your husband's? It is one household and combined assets. Are you expected to weather a layoff yourself without your husband's income and savings?

[Anonymous]

Exactly, buy the bracelet. I bought at $3000 Ferragamo gold purse when I decided to quit my toxic job. I was worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That bracelet is not going anywhere. Wait until you have a new job.

OP, I would follow this advice. I feel you though. While it looks ok right now at my specific office as lots of people have already departed and so RIFs may not occur, I told myself (and spouse) that even if I did lose my job I was still planning on buying tickets to a live event that I have been waiting for (and may not happen again) either in the latter half of 2025 or early 2026. Reason: b/c it's not clear it will ever happen again. For big purchases of items that are not going anywhere, I would wait though.

[Anonymous]

I’m impressed OP makes around $200K a year and has $990k saved by herself!

[Anonymous]

Personally, I wouldn’t buy that bracelet even if I still had your job. But I don’t think there’s anything wrong if you decide to go for it here.