To Spend £1345 on a Set of Earrings ?

[Moaning5]

My dad has just gifted me £2000 - how nice !

My parents have NEVER gifted me money in this way. He’s done something with his pension and given all of us (4) the same amount.

I have no real savings to speak of other than an emergency fund. I have no mortgage to put it towards. I have grown up children who are independent. I have no debt to clear.
AIBU to pay £1345 for a pair of gold hoop earrings with pear drops as worn by Princess Catherine which I have always loved ?
Or am I being ridiculous and it needs to be be spent more sensibly ? On what though ?

I wouldn't! but then im cheap and would buy a copy! Id get something indulgent for say 300 then save the rest!

The OP may have had different responses if in her OP, she had mentioned clearly that the mortgage was paid off, she had a public sector pension, and that the ‘no savings, just an emergency fund’ was £25k!

Indeed

In that case I don't know why you're asking.

It's not a fortune considering your income and savings.

Some women here regularly spend £3K on a handbag and think nothing of it.

@Moaning5 Something you may like to think about is that you can get far cheaper ones for example Still real pearls but without the designer cost.

claudiabradby.com/products/medium-love-knot-pearl-drop-earrings-gold

Unless you're dead set on having real diamonds, gold and real pearls,( and no one will know they are) you could get a similar style for far less.

It's also worth thinking if, as you work in the public sector, turning up at work in diamond and pearl drop earrings is going to fit with the sector you're in.

If I were you, I'd buy cheaper pearls as there are so many around that are still real pearls but without the price tag and invest in diamond studs.

I wouldn't call someone without real savings financially secure.

I think it's a really stupid idea. Find some cheaper/similar earrings. That is an insane amount of money for a pair in any case let alone someone who doesn't have saving. Very short sighted.

So it’s irresponsible, that’s what.

The OP doesn't have no savings - she has 25k.

Unless you're dead set on having real diamonds, gold and real pearls,( and no one will know they are) you could get a similar style for far less.
It's also worth thinking if, as you work in the public sector, turning up at work in diamond and pearl drop earrings is going to fit with the sector you're in.

If nobody can tell the difference as you say, then it should not matter if she is working in the public sector, as people may think they are fake.

Buy the earrings! I have a beautiful Tiffany necklace and earrings that bring me so much pleasure when I wear them, even though it’s not often. Money is so easily frittered away on nothing but things like this last forever. I’ve never once regretted spending the money on them and thought “oh I wish I’d put that money in a savings account” and I am far from well off.

Buy the earrings! I have a beautiful Tiffany necklace and earrings that bring me so much pleasure when I wear them, even though it’s not often. Money is so easily frittered away on nothing but things like this last forever. I’ve never once regretted spending the money on them and thought “oh I wish I’d put that money in a savings account” and I am far from well off.

Mortgage paid.
£25k emergency fund - not loads, literally in case my car packs in, boilers blows up, redundancy. I wouldnt use that for anything frivolous.
Still work full time with a Public Sector pension for retirement.

Get the earrings!

The originals that you have always wanted.

Love and enjoy them.

That's not the point I was making @MournfulMagpie

It doesn't matter a jot if they are real or fake ( the pearls won't be fake from CB, for example) but the 'look' regardless of the cost.

I just wonder if she really would wear them every day and get value out of the cost.

I think those earrings look quite 'dressy' and maybe not the best choice for everyday. A classic pearl stud is maybe better or a simple drop pearl without the diamond setting. They are though 2 earrings in one because the pearl is detachable.

(I wear a lot of pearl earrings and the pearls are real, but I prefer silver to gold and silver is cheaper.)

Given the later context of OPs last post, I say just do it. Sometimes it’s ok to just buy something you really like. And we all have different ideas of what that is.

She has £25k in savings, a fully paid off mortgage, is in full term work and will have an NHS pension. I realise on MN that's tantamount to being on the breadline, but I'd call that pretty secure, myself.

FFs, ignore the funsuckers and buy the earrings you want - not the copies, not imitation ones from Primarni, the proper ones. Even if you were poor you should do it anyway. Life is for living, not for admiring your ISAs.

If you’ve got no debt, no mortgage and this is a rare treat, I don’t think it’s unreasonable at all. Sometimes a special gift should go on something memorable.

It's money you wouldn't have had without it being a gift.
So buy whatever you want.

I'd just caution you about if they are earrings you would wear every day.

I've treated myself to a diamond pendant and diamond studs over the years ( a bit more than the earrings) and find I don't wear them as often as I though as I'm afraid of losing them if I'm out away from home although they are insured.

Someone mentioned insurance. You don't usually need to declare anything as a single item unless it's value is over £1K or sometimes £3K.

I'm still in shock at the idea of 25k being 'no real savings'...!!!!!
OP buy the earrings and enjoy them.

That’s just for fun.

If you got it, flaunt it.

He isn't going to save inheritance tax by keeping the money in the bank so that it forms part of his estate.

yes I denied myself so many things and then had psychotic break that took everything I loved from me

I would never spend that much on earrings and I’ve got a fair amount saved.
id save it.

I spent £1,200 on diamond solitaire earrings 40 years ago.I've never regretted it and am wearing them now. You probably won't regret it either. Get them valued and insured.