You aren't "investing" your money, you're spending it.

[Torak]

I hate it when people say they are "investing" in the purchase of some sort of pricey consumable item.

I'd be interested to see your ROI on that £500 baby sling. 🙄

Gifting is another one I hate. But today I'm irritable about investing.

@GaiusHelenMohiam

I dunno, I consider my £300 sturdy boots a pretty good investment. I’ve worn them every day for four years and they are still comfortable and in great condition.

I do think about the Vimes Boots theory almost every day!

I did years of buying a cheap new pair of boots every few months to have them wear out into holes (and were never as comfy to start with).

So in my opinion, good boots (or bag, or coat, or watch or whatever) can be an investment.

That makes them good value, but technically no, that is not an investment.

I think that OP’s point is correct, but I personally take it as a bit tongue in cheek when people buy something expensive and call it an investment.

@Torak

I really don't think a handbag is going to hold its value when basic living costs are skyrocketing. But what do I know! I have no idea about assets!

Re-sale value of limited edition luxury goods is high. Look at the cost of certain older Chanel bags.

The buyers of these sort of items aren't grappling with higher energy costs.

I don't get how I have enough awareness to realise some ppl are much poorer and much richer than me too. Just because you can't afford something doesn't mean others can't.

.@PollyPage is correct about certain Rolexes and handbags being great investments and better than holding cash given inflation rates!

Of course watches are not a failsafe investment, but what is?

*I would go for the watch but not a rolex, other fancy brands are available that have better street cred.

rolex is like the chav of high end watches.

gold values go up and down.*

God, I don't want to wear it!! Just wondering about how to make more money

It’s a ridiculous term.

Investing implies one might make a profit at some time.

A seller of antique toys used to write
“Priscilla is a fantastic investment for the future “

Nope, the items are massively overpriced, youd have to live 100 yrs to get your money back.

“ Welcoming “ is another annoying one.
“So and so welcomed a new baby”

Just so utterly twee.

This is a dictionary definition of 'invest'.

buy (a relatively expensive product) whose usefulness will repay the cost.
"I invested in an expensive moisturizer and tried to drink more water"

So sorry, but you're wrong.

Tbh my designer handbag I purchased for £560 in 2011.
Same handbag is going for £1240

I put it on eBay to check and I had people offering £1000/11000

I would say that's a pretty good investment.

And don't get me started on my Chanel 2.5 I purchased 11 years ago, compared to the value now

@LindaEllen

This is a dictionary definition of 'invest'.

buy (a relatively expensive product) whose usefulness will repay the cost.
"I invested in an expensive moisturizer and tried to drink more water"

So sorry, but you're wrong.

Which dictionary says that please?

About a 6% return then?

@Seadragonusgiganticusmaximus

About a 6% return then?

That was to Ellissax

My son invests in Rolexs.
Some are old and a limited number, others new but a certain type.
All worth much more than he originally paid.
Good investments.

It can have soft power though.

You might invest in your hair, makeup and clothing for work to look highly professional and make sure you are taken seriously by the people who have the power to promote you, instead of turning up in Primark leggings with your knickers showing through and greying trainers [awaits inevitable post from person who claims to only ever wear see-through leggings and a greying t-shirt to work and earns 6 figures].

So that £40 foundation and Dyson Airwrap are an "investment" if they fit into a broader strategy that means you get a salary bump of 10k next year.

Ditto childcare, as @cptartapp says. That's a clear investment, as it keeps you on your original salary trajectory, and earning considerably more 20 years down the line than the woman who took 5 - 8 years out and was never able to catch up.

I think spending more to spend less counts as investment too though, as in the Vimes theory above.

@PollyPage

My rokexes and vintage chanel bags could buy a house tomorrow. I must tell them that they are worthless. Maybe just chuck them away

Jesus, they must be worth a bob or two if they're sentient and engage in conversation!

@ninnynonny
Never seen a chav wearing a 400 grand Rolex!

I admit I don't get the need for expensive watches anymore; we all have phones.

I get buying well made, more expensive boots that will last me 3 or 4 years instead of replacing cheap ones every year, so I do that. Plus they're more comfortable.

Some children's bike's hold their value: Islabikes and Frog bikes. We had Islabikes for our children, and they were passed straight down to each of them. When the youngest outgrew, we sold them on for what we paid for them, and in one case, more! Just have to look after them.

See your point but it misses other angles.

I bought a north face coat to armour myself against winter. I feel less scared of winter now. Im not thinking of it as a resale item.

Thats just an example of the thinking behind buying something more expensive than the other options

In the last decade or so, DH and I have made money on several cars we’ve owned, and they were all bought as daily drivers rather than to be put away in a garage. It’s just knowing what to buy - same as with watches and handbags.

@PegasusReturns

If you sold it back to a jeweller it would not achieve anything like that value. After my divorce I took my wedding and engagement rings to a jeweller

Higher end jewellery tends to hold its value better. I have a 2.2ct ascher cut which I know the jeweller would take back at 2 x what DH paid. Because they’re difficult to get hold of.

Why are asscher cut difficult to get hold of? Diamonds are an artificially inflated item anyway

Many parents invest in private education for their children. That most definitely brings returns further down the line, providing they choose the right school and their children are on board.

Certain Watches like Rolex are investments as they do appreciate over the years. If someone chooses to spend their money on a few watches and make a profit years later, that's their choice. They are investing their money. @PollyPage was correct. Just because you don't understand how certain items hold their resale value and increase, doesn't make it wrong.

@PollyPage

We have 12 rolexes, worth about 10 to 20k each. I have 4 1980s chanel bags, one owned by someone famous and dead, total worth around 30k. I'm not saying it's the type of house I would care to live in but a house none the less. Do you really care enough to want photos? I can't really be flagged to offer proof to someone who clearly has no idea of assets as they probably don't have any.

You could buy the horrid house and let it out. The house will likely increase in value more than the watches and you’ll get the rental money.

I don’t think you should do this because I’d pity the tenants but that would be the logical thing to do.

[quote Rubyupbeat]@ninnynonny
Never seen a chav wearing a 400 grand Rolex![/quote]
Oh no, I meant I wouldn't dare anyway!

Instead of saving my dcs inheritance from their df, of just under £2.5k, I decided to spend it! I bought them each a 50g gold bar. Definitely an investment, as value of each has risen by £200 in less than a week!

We have 12 rolexes, worth about 10 to 20k each. I have 4 1980s chanel bags, one owned by someone famous and dead, total worth around 30k

Isn’t this type of valuation meaningless unless it is given in context of your net worth?