Anonymous
Post 01/13/2026 14:45     Subject: At what point are you comfortable with big, frivolous purchases?
You can 100% buy this. Don’t listen to the others. It’s for your 40th, enjoy it. YOLO.
Anonymous
Post 01/13/2026 14:42     Subject: At what point are you comfortable with big, frivolous purchases?
You have rich parents which changes everything. Whether you buy that bracelet or not is not going to make any difference in your big picture finances, provided it's not something you repeat over and over again getting yourself luxury goods as little treats.
Anonymous
Post 01/13/2026 14:30     Subject: At what point are you comfortable with big, frivolous purchases?
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!?


You might care when you are 60+ and cannot retire because you cannot afford the future. The fact they didn't have a 9-12 month emergency fund until they were worried about loosing their govt job indicates they were not fiscally sound prior. Their retirement funds are low for age.

There is a happy medium between "living life" and being prepared for the future. I'd argue they can save for the jewelry, but most of us wouldn't be spending $5K based on their descriptions



OP isn't going to be unable to retire because of a 5k bracelet.
Anonymous
Post 01/13/2026 14:28     Subject: At what point are you comfortable with big, frivolous purchases?
Yes, buy the bracelet. It is worth it, and you can afford it.

I get it though, I have plenty of money and want a certain watch that costs a bit more than your bracelet, and I just can't allow myself to do it. I don't even think twice about spending that amount on travel. Not sure why I can't pull the trigger on this.
Anonymous
Post 01/13/2026 14:21     Subject: At what point are you comfortable with big, frivolous purchases?
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!?


You might care when you are 60+ and cannot retire because you cannot afford the future. The fact they didn't have a 9-12 month emergency fund until they were worried about loosing their govt job indicates they were not fiscally sound prior. Their retirement funds are low for age.

There is a happy medium between "living life" and being prepared for the future. I'd argue they can save for the jewelry, but most of us wouldn't be spending $5K based on their descriptions

Anonymous
Post 01/13/2026 14:18     Subject: At what point are you comfortable with big, frivolous purchases?
Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't. After we had a tumultuous job issue, we hunkered down for a few years before doing any sort of splurge. Mentally, watching our balance increase rapidly was what we needed/wanted to get over the mental load of the trauma. On top of that, a splurge for just one person in your family feels unfair.


+1

I would want 12months+ in EF, retirement fully maxed out (1.2M at your ages with both of you working is not that much) and a full adjustment to the new lower salary.

If I was going to spend $5K, it would be on a trip for the family most likely, not something for just one person (then again I'm not a jewelry person)
Anonymous
Post 01/13/2026 14:02     Subject: At what point are you comfortable with big, frivolous purchases?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Things could get ugly after May 2026 either way our economy. Possibly recession or worse. I’d hold off.


What’s happening in May?


DP. I'm guessing when Powell's term ends.
Anonymous
Post 01/13/2026 14:00     Subject: At what point are you comfortable with big, frivolous purchases?
Anonymous wrote:5k? Hahaha

No but you could get yourself a nice piece for $500 for your birthday.

This
Anonymous
Post 01/13/2026 13:58     Subject: Re:At what point are you comfortable with big, frivolous purchases?
What kind of watch??
Anonymous
Post 01/13/2026 10:56     Subject: At what point are you comfortable with big, frivolous purchases?
Anonymous wrote:Things could get ugly after May 2026 either way our economy. Possibly recession or worse. I’d hold off.


What’s happening in May?
Anonymous
Post 01/13/2026 10:54     Subject: At what point are you comfortable with big, frivolous purchases?
DW got a great new job this year and I bought her a 12k watch for Christmas. She is in consulting and has in-person meetings all week long and also does a lot of wining & dining/business development, so in my mind the watch is also an investment in her career (men look at watches). Our HHI is around 1.3m. This is the first big piece of jewelry either of us has bought since our wedding twelve years ago. It felt like an appropriate way to celebrate the new job.
Anonymous
Post 01/13/2026 10:54     Subject: At what point are you comfortable with big, frivolous purchases?
How much more is the price vs the melt cost of the gold? Is it already second hand? Have you looked to see if it’s for sale second hand?
Anonymous
Post 01/13/2026 10:51     Subject: At what point are you comfortable with big, frivolous purchases?
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!?
Anonymous
Post 01/13/2026 10:48     Subject: At what point are you comfortable with big, frivolous purchases?
I wouldn’t. I did buy a $5k road bike once, though, but that’s when I was bringing in money hand over fist. With the political situation these days I’m being super conservative with money. Who the heck knows what will happen.
Anonymous
Post 01/13/2026 10:44     Subject: At what point are you comfortable with big, frivolous purchases?
What’s your HHI? Last bit of important context.