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I think I am at a turning point in my life. The clients I am surrounded by every day at work carry $2,000 handbags and rock David Yurman bling, drool-inducing Louboutins of the most luxurious designs any red-blooded diva (or junior high school student even) would kill for. When I was younger I thought that was something to be very proud of (naively, of course). Now, I am at a point where I am thinking long-term. Hitting 30 is what really made me step back and question it all. For those of you older than me, if you had to take it all back and live a more modest life would you have done so? By that, I mean if you were in a position to scale back. And where would you have invested, if so? A quote that really made me think that much more... by the great Warren Buffett... "Wall Street is the only place where guys in Rolls-Royces show up to get advice from the guy who takes the subway to work". It seems like the REALLY smart people don't buy into this crap. Am I dumb for lusting after a $420 pair of Tom Ford sunglasses? I feel very guilty sometimes for liking nice things. I have this conversation with myself constantly when I probably should just be enjoying life.
Last edited by EastBoundandDownChick; 09-17-2013 at 09:46 PM..
I think I am at a turning point in my life. The clients I am surrounded by every day at work carry $2,000 handbags and rock David Yurman bling, drool-inducing Louboutins of the most luxurious designs any red-blooded diva (or junior high school student even) would kill for. When I was younger I thought that was something to be very proud of (naively, of course). Now, I am at a point where I am thinking long-term. Hitting 30 is what really made me step back and question it all. For those of you older than me, if you had to take it all back and live a more modest life would you have done so? By that, I mean if you were in a position to scale back. And where would you have invested, if so? A quote that really made me think that much more... by the great Warren Buffett... "Wall Street is the only place where guys in Rolls-Royces show up to get advice from the guy who takes the subway to work". It seems like the REALLY smart people don't buy into this crap. Am I dumb for lusting after a $420 pair of Tom Ford sunglasses? I feel very guilty sometimes for liking nice things. I have this conversation with myself constantly when I probably should just be enjoying life.
You have to enjoy life. I got Louies, Pradas and Gucci shoes in the crib and I'm middle class. It's no big deal to want to access some of the finer things in life. Why go to work then????
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"The man who sleeps on the floor, can never fall out of bed." -Martin Lawrence
I believe that as long as you don't spend more than you make, you have the rights to buy as your heart desires. I don't spend a lot on dress shirts and pants (I shop at Express with coupons and when it's on sale), but I own 2 Burberry trench coats.
Eastbound - As long as you work in a salon you have to accept that you will never on your own be able to afford the same lifestyle as your rich clients. I don't see that as a bad thing.
I live way, way, WAY below my means and still live quite comfortably. And it is ok to treat yourself too...having a $1,000 purse is ok..it's when you have the $1,000 purse, 10 pairs of $400 jeans, $3,000 a month 1 bedroom apt, dinner every night for $150, $700 BMW 5 series car payment, with no savings in the bank, no retirement or emergency funds, and racking up credit card debt to support it all is where you will inevitably fail, miserably.
I can see hitting 30 as a milestone and wake up call for some (but not all). You don't want to live in a closet anymore, you don't want 2 roommates anymore, you want to start establishing yourself, buy a place, etc....new priorities...it's normal.
There were times when we lived within or below our means. Years ago, my husband and I didn't make the salaries we do now. We worked hard, paid our bills and saved to buy a house. I've made sacrifices and have "gone without" so I could do more for my daughter. I used to feel guilty if I wanted to treat myself to something. I no longer have that guilt. I work hard and I deserve to treat myself to fine things from time to time. The key is knowing when to treat yourself and when you're just frivously spending money to be flashy. People who have big bucks, whether they earned it or inherited it, may not have that mind-set. For many it's "I have the money so I'll spend it" and for many it's all about "status".
I think I am at a turning point in my life. The clients I am surrounded by every day at work carry $2,000 handbags and rock David Yurman bling, drool-inducing Louboutins of the most luxurious designs any red-blooded diva (or junior high school student even) would kill for. When I was younger I thought that was something to be very proud of (naively, of course). Now, I am at a point where I am thinking long-term. Hitting 30 is what really made me step back and question it all. For those of you older than me, if you had to take it all back and live a more modest life would you have done so? By that, I mean if you were in a position to scale back. And where would you have invested, if so? A quote that really made me think that much more... by the great Warren Buffett... "Wall Street is the only place where guys in Rolls-Royces show up to get advice from the guy who takes the subway to work". It seems like the REALLY smart people don't buy into this crap. Am I dumb for lusting after a $420 pair of Tom Ford sunglasses? I feel very guilty sometimes for liking nice things. I have this conversation with myself constantly when I probably should just be enjoying life.
You're a bad, naughty girl. And you deserve to be punished...
YOLO...but figure out what is really imporatant to you. I try not to spend my money on expensive bags, instead I will take a nice vacation at least once a year, otherwise why work. Don't be envious of other people's bag, you don't know what that person did to get that bag...secretary doing extra work under the desk...I'm just saying..lol...you never know. You know what you do for yours so if that is the way you want to treat yourself, then so be it. A bag does nothing for me but a memorable good time on vacation suits me just fine.
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