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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Extra guac and queso...

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[Anonymous]

Beautiful jewelry - makes no sense spending so much if one help so many people with that

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Beautiful jewelry - makes no sense spending so much if one help so many people with that

I do understand having two or three nice pieces of jewelry. Beyond that, I agree it makes no sense.

[Anonymous]

I don’t eliminate any full categories except things I don’t like. I’m not a watch, boat or golf person, so it’s easy to brag that I would never buy them.

I like vacations, but I’m not flying my family to foreign resorts. I want a beach house, but since we don’t have a lot of time, we rent for a week or two a year. I like to go to the pool, so we joined the neighborhood pool club. I like designer goods, so I bought a few classic things that I wear, and don’t shop at Hermes. I like jewelry and have a few things but not a lot and no Cartier/Tiffany/VCA. I have a $50K car but not a Porsche. I like to go out but I’m not going to the best restaurant in town. I like music but I’m not paying for Taylor Swift tickets. Everything in moderation. Etc.

[Anonymous]

A gold chain (necklace). I was looking at one that at the time cost over 4K. Yes, I could have afforded it and still could but I had visions of it being ripped off my neck and someone sprinting away with it. Sure, I could buy it and keep it covered with my clothing but to me, that defeats the purpose of having the gold chain.

[Anonymous]

1. Cars - my first two cars I drove for 10+ years until they were undrivable because I couldn't really afford anything better. Now it's a habit and I can't imagine swapping out cars every few years even though technically I could pay cash to do so. Instead I'd rather invest the money and let the investment grow so I can retire earlier. My current car is 14 yrs old and has 85,000 miles...and it's never had any engine issues.

2. Expensive jewelry - my engagement ring was passed to my husband by family and it's much more meaningful than a purchased ring. Other than my engagement and wedding ring, I don't care about jewelry.

3. Designer or expensive clothing - we buy limited amounts of mid-range clothing, aiming for good quality and lasting a long time. I also really enjoy searching for bargains on resale sites and in consignment stores.

What do we spend money on? We are Gen X and owned homes that appreciated by large amounts. We live in a large home (4,000 sq ft) in an excellent school district and are close to paying off the mortgage. We have enough in savings that we can fully pay for our kids college (and related - I don't see the point in full pay for private universities for undergrad. It's either a state school or a significant scholarship to attend anything else. I'll pay more for grad school but only relative to what the ROI is). I'm also starting some brokerage and Roth IRA accounts for my kids to get them interested in saving and investing. My dad did this for me -- the $4k he put in an IRA for me at 18 is now worth $150,000. Because of him I've maxed out my retirement savings for the last 20 yrs.

[Anonymous]

I sometimes find what I will and won't buy as a bit quirky- like I don't own a designer handbag but I will spend money on nice shoes.

I don't have a vacation home because I like to go to different places every year. I won't spend money on upgraded airline seats but will use miles for it without hesitation.

I only buy cars with leather seats.

I was against private schools but after dealing with public- I would do it differently now.

I haven't yet done plastic surgery but I spend money on lasers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I always buy used cars that are a year or two old with 15,000 miles or less. Basically new cars at a steep discount. The initial depreciation on a new car is staggering. Works well unless you’re picky about color.

This was always the case but less so in the post covid era now

Agree. But, the discount seems to be back big time on EVs. Just bought a used Volvo EV 2 years old for about a 50% discount vs new. Did Trump damage the market for EVs?

[Anonymous]

A car

[Anonymous]

a Hinckley

It's dumb now but I will 100% buy once I retire

[Anonymous]

Private schools and beach houses. Neither is anywhere near worth the money.

[Anonymous]

a single family house they're so overpriced a run down right now inventory sucks.

[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.

Once you try Maui Jims (including prescriptions) you won't go back to anything else. They are such high quality lenses and last forever (but I don't typically break mine or loose them, I'm used to having prescriptions so any sunglasses are too valuable to "loose")

It's lose, you know.

[Anonymous]

After we became empty nesters it was much easier to cook extra for dinner and have some leftovers. At least 3x a week I brought leftovers for lunch at work. Healthier and saved $ and time. Among other things, great way to control portion size. I could easily afford lunch and I was one of the few senior folks at my firm doing this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A gold chain (necklace). I was looking at one that at the time cost over 4K. Yes, I could have afforded it and still could but I had visions of it being ripped off my neck and someone sprinting away with it. Sure, I could buy it and keep it covered with my clothing but to me, that defeats the purpose of having the gold chain.

This is why I wear costume jewelry and don't buy gold etc... or even expensive costume jewelry. It's not worth the hassle of worrying about it or possibly being robbed because of it. Same with designer labels and Apple products.