At what point are you comfortable with big, frivolous purchases?

[Anonymous]

If OP values it, then why not? Yes, get it. Create a reasonable plan and make sure you can afford it without reaching and without credit.

Would I personally value it? No. I don’t buy expensive jewelry. Even my engagement/wedding rings were bought off of Craigslist. I blow enough money on travel though so to each their own.

[Anonymous]

OP, I have a very similar situation. My DH lost his job during the federal mayhem in spring 2025. He got a good severance but it was very stressful time since we have a special needs child. We did have a very healthy savings but just really tried not to think of it as something we could or should freely dip into. Fast forward to late fall, DH landed a significantly higher paying job. It was such a blessing and relief. He bought me an expensive piece of jewelry a few weeks ago and we didn’t give the purchase a second thought. It was a hard year. I look at this piece of jewelry every day and just delight in the beauty of it. It feels like a symbol of a fresh start, as another PP mentioned. I say go for it.

[Anonymous]

I dont think a single 5k splurge will move the needle much, OP.

I would suggest this is a great time to sell your old gold jewelry. I took in some old pieces of mine, single earrings, a few inherited pieces I’d never wear and weren’t
Interesting enough to sell as jewelry and made around 5k. Bought myself a 1200$ ring and kept the rest of the cash.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Money is a tool to live the life you want. Spending money is a skill. There is no virtue in living a smaller life than you have to. If you want this and will enjoy it, lose the guilt and buy it. Who cares if you are rich when you’re dead!?

Your kids care. Thats who

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My net worth is at least 5x yours and I wouldn’t.

So you have $10 million and won’t buy something for 5k? That’s like someone with 10k savings who won’t buy a $5 coffee. It’s not going to have any effect on your life

A $5 coffee is $1300/yr plus tax and tip

[Anonymous]

Buy it. If you’ve loved it for this long it’s a sign that you should buy it. You’ll wear it, love it, get compliments for how beautiful it is and that $5k will be forgotten.


I don’t like the feel of jewelry so no splurging for me on jewelry.

I receive about $3,500 - $5,000 from a trust every month but I don’t have any bills to pay so I can use it for anything. It starts to add up in my underwear drawer because I cash it and usually don’t put it my checking account.

I usually have between $8,000 and $15,000 in my drawer. I can’t think of one thing I would like to buy for myself. Recently I spent $9,000 on my niece’s tuition. I buy everyone tickets to events, if we go somewhere with my sisters and nieces my husband pays. I buy everyone’s plane tickets when we go somewhere, including my sister with her two kids because they can’t afford it.

I wish I could treat myself but I’m not comfortable buying anything for me. I just love buying for other people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Money is a tool to live the life you want. Spending money is a skill. There is no virtue in living a smaller life than you have to. If you want this and will enjoy it, lose the guilt and buy it. Who cares if you are rich when you’re dead!?

Your kids care. Thats who

Would you suggest that OP not make a relatively minor purchase of something that she values because her kids might want that money when she’s dead?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Money is a tool to live the life you want. Spending money is a skill. There is no virtue in living a smaller life than you have to. If you want this and will enjoy it, lose the guilt and buy it. Who cares if you are rich when you’re dead!?

Your kids care. Thats who

Would you suggest that OP not make a relatively minor purchase of something that she values because her kids might want that money when she’s dead?

NP but no, we're suggesting she not make that relatively minor purchase so that her kids can eat and have a house to live in if one of them loses their job. Because sounds like last year they were worried about bill paying if that happened.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Money is a tool to live the life you want. Spending money is a skill. There is no virtue in living a smaller life than you have to. If you want this and will enjoy it, lose the guilt and buy it. Who cares if you are rich when you’re dead!?

Your kids care. Thats who

Would you suggest that OP not make a relatively minor purchase of something that she values because her kids might want that money when she’s dead?

NP but no, we're suggesting she not make that relatively minor purchase so that her kids can eat and have a house to live in if one of them loses their job. Because sounds like last year they were worried about bill paying if that happened.

OP’s post is about guilt. Not about money. The background information is to explain the guilt. They’re okay on the money front.

[Anonymous]

I love how this thread turned into a brag fest. Who the heck wants a 20k watch?

Op- I was in a similar situation last year and the item I wanted I created by 40% over a six month period. I was kicking myself for not buying it early in 2025. So I say get it since you’re still thinking about it and sounds like you have been careful with other spending.

[Anonymous]

Increased, not created.

[Anonymous]

Please buy it and enjoy it, OP. Life is short and $5k won't make a difference to your financial situation. Wear it with joy. Happy birthday and happy new beginning.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't personally splurge on jewelry but I have splurged on an expensive hobby.

If it's something that would bring you a lot of joy, do it. The world is imploding so why not? YOLO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Buy it. If you’ve loved it for this long it’s a sign that you should buy it. You’ll wear it, love it, get compliments for how beautiful it is and that $5k will be forgotten.


I don’t like the feel of jewelry so no splurging for me on jewelry.

I receive about $3,500 - $5,000 from a trust every month but I don’t have any bills to pay so I can use it for anything. It starts to add up in my underwear drawer because I cash it and usually don’t put it my checking account.

I usually have between $8,000 and $15,000 in my drawer. I can’t think of one thing I would like to buy for myself. Recently I spent $9,000 on my niece’s tuition. I buy everyone tickets to events, if we go somewhere with my sisters and nieces my husband pays. I buy everyone’s plane tickets when we go somewhere, including my sister with her two kids because they can’t afford it.

I wish I could treat myself but I’m not comfortable buying anything for me. I just love buying for other people.

Are you trying to hide this money from your spouse or something? Just wondering why you don't put the money in an investment or high yield savings account...but rather take it in literal cash and put it in your dresser.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Buy it. If you’ve loved it for this long it’s a sign that you should buy it. You’ll wear it, love it, get compliments for how beautiful it is and that $5k will be forgotten.


I don’t like the feel of jewelry so no splurging for me on jewelry.

I receive about $3,500 - $5,000 from a trust every month but I don’t have any bills to pay so I can use it for anything. It starts to add up in my underwear drawer because I cash it and usually don’t put it my checking account.

I usually have between $8,000 and $15,000 in my drawer. I can’t think of one thing I would like to buy for myself. Recently I spent $9,000 on my niece’s tuition. I buy everyone tickets to events, if we go somewhere with my sisters and nieces my husband pays. I buy everyone’s plane tickets when we go somewhere, including my sister with her two kids because they can’t afford it.

I wish I could treat myself but I’m not comfortable buying anything for me. I just love buying for other people.

Are you trying to hide this money from your spouse or something? Just wondering why you don't put the money in an investment or high yield savings account...but rather take it in literal cash and put it in your dresser.

Agreed this was weird but I read it as mental illness / hoarding