One of my coworkers was talking today about a woman he knows who had her purse stolen out of her car.
What was amazing to my coworker was the lost purse reportedly cost $800. The wallet inside, another $400.
That sparked a discussion in the newsroom about the amount of money we’ve spent on discretionary purchases. Maybe it’s because we’re starving journalists, but most of us couldn’t fathom spending that much on a few pieces of leather. A couch, OK. A TV, sure. A purse?
At our house, we spent a bundle to add on a room and a half-bath a couple of years ago, and we bought a brand-new (!) car about that same time. Those are probably our most major purchases to date. Generally, we decorate in early-American garage sale, and we fix stuff with spit and duct tape. Neither Husband nor myself has any sense of fashion, so if it’s 15 years old and still fits, we put it on, and it’s really irritating if we have to buy a new one.
None of this is to make us sound cheapskater-than-thou for not buying an $800 purse. We certainly buy other things that would probably make people look askance. I’m sure I spent $150 on stuff for Little Princess’ “Harry Potter” birthday party last year. I did buy two wedding dresses. And we won’t mention the ticket prices for the ill-fated concert I hauled everyone to back in 2005, when Slightly Older Princess got the stomach flu.
Sometimes I think it would be fun to have the lifestyle that must go along with an $800 purse and a $400 wallet. But even then I don’t know that I’d emphasize the accessories. I’d be too busy catnapping on a lounge chair in Greece or planning a ski getaway to Vale or something to go shopping.
What’s the biggest discretionary purchase you’ve ever made?
2 comments
dmich0806 says:
Oct 22, 2009
This post reminds of my perception on the whole "recession." Now, don't get me wrong – I am well aware of the layoffs and unemployment rates that abound. I am not talking jobs, here. That which I speak of is relative to the too long lines at the drive thrus, the over-crowding in the parking lot of the mall and other such retail establishments that do not count as groceries and all the brand new cars parked outside of the homes of those provided by supplements from HUD. Granted, we are consumers, but do we really need to consume every little thing we see? I sometimes view our current society members as little pac-men – eating up all that we can just to escape the ghosts… hm… could it be that we are ALL attempting to replace our real fears with something less-than-fulfilling? Makes you think, doesn't it? As a single mom with three jobs, in school full-time and living in a 792 sq ft home, I just don't get it!!! Makes me say, "Grrr."
grizzle says:
Oct 29, 2009
I think I'm just missing some sort of hole in the fabric of my existence that cries for filling with an $800 purse. I don't recall ever paying more than $20 for one. My most recent favorite I bought at a garage sale for $2. AND I only own 2 purses at a time – one to use every day and one that I use on trips, small, easily slings over my shoulder and holds some cash, my drivers license and some lipstick. None of this for any kind of moral stance – like I said I think I lack some sort of hole. If I had unlimited cash I might bump up to 3 or 4 purses, but I swear I'd still be walking those back aisles of Target looking for one on clearance.