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Original poster

Funding a splurge purchase

33 replies

springmachine · 08/10/2018 22:38

I've never really splashed out on anything all of my life.
There always bring something more important (house renovations, baby, wedding etc)

I've always wanted a specific bag.

I assumed the longer I left it the less I would want it, as with everything else I've thought about buying in the past and slept on I often don't end up desiring after long.

But it's been a few years now.
I saw it in a shop yesterday, discounted but still expensive.

So I thought about maybe trying to sell things and keep a little separate account for the proceeds to go into that I can then afford to buy this bag.

I can't think of anything I have to sell that's worth anything though. I generally live quite minimally and frugally.

Has anyone got any hints or tips on how to find a splurge purchase?

I don't mind if it takes time as I've been thinking of it for a few years already and another year isn't so bad

OP posts:
GrimDamnFanjo · 08/10/2018 23:57

Match betting! It's not gambling. There's a thread over on the Money Matters board.

EmpressJewel · 09/10/2018 05:50

Cut back on other areas of spending eg coffees, magazines etc and put the difference towards your b

EmpressJewel · 09/10/2018 05:54

.... bag.

When doing a grocery shop, try cheaper products/ones on offer and save the difference.

Blondielongie · 09/10/2018 06:42

How much is the bag? Do you have the money? I think you deserve a treat as you have been frugal and haven't had a big splurge before. Can dh put something towards it and have it for Xmas?

If you need a year to save, how much would you have to save each month or week to get itans what is the bag? (I'm being nosy!)

OldJoseph · 09/10/2018 06:55

In my experience there will always be something better to spend your money on and if it's a good price now I'd be tempted to buy it.

Ideas to fund it...other than ask for it as Christmas / birthday etc combined. Do you have Tesco vouchers? If so use them for food shopping instead of days out, that might offset the cost a bit. If it's really mega bucks and you don't have anywhere near the money then Christmas is coming and perhaps a temp job in a pub for example.

SpeckledyHen · 09/10/2018 07:14

When I returned to work full time 10 ago after being a SAHM for 7 years I lazily bouimy lunch in the subsided staff canteen . A roll apple and drink were £3.50 . At the same time I was lusting after a Mulberry Roxanne pre- loved bag and couldn’t justify the money .
After 6 weeks I started taking lunches from home and the £17.50 per week saved quickly funded the bag -and a fair few others over the next couple of years-

SpeckledyHen · 09/10/2018 07:16

*bouimy ! bought

FaithInfinity · 09/10/2018 07:24

I saved about £200 by simply trying not to spend for the sake of it. There’s a book called ‘The No Spend Year’ about a woman who lived frugally for a year and saved thousands which she used to reduce her mortgage. It was extreme by I was inspired. So I did things like not eating out as much, I sold clothes before I spent money replacing them. The savings slowly added up.
We went on holiday a couple of weeks ago and I spent the money on something I’d always wanted (a necklace from Tiffany). Expensive but worth saving for.

Original poster
springmachine · 09/10/2018 07:35

The bag at the reduced price is just under £700, I'd need to save around £50 a month to be able to afford it this time next year.

It's just been my birthday and I have £20 birthday money I can put towards it to start me off! Grin

I don't shop in tescos and don't have a club card so don't get vouchers there.

I tend to buy the cheapest things on the supermarket shop anyway, We don't tend to waste any food so don't think there's much of a saving to be had from the food shop.

I don't buy coffees or sandwiches out and about, I always take my own refillable water wherever I go and have snacks on me so I don't buy when I'm out.

I do have one thing I think I could sell but it's probably not worth much.
An orange Michael Kors bag I bought from an outlet shop probably 10 years ago now. It's in the loft somewhere.

I can't see it being very fashionable any more.

It's so true that there's always better things to be spending money on.

Il end up selling something and something will need fixing on the car and it's end up going on that instead.

DP knows i love the bag and wants to buy it for me (one day), but I know he'd struggle to afford to buy it and he never treats himself either so I want to save for this myself. I'm sure he would put towards it if I asked him for some money towards it at Christmas maybe.

OP posts:
GeorgeTheHippo · 09/10/2018 07:46

Will it still be the lower price next year or will you need to save the full price? I'm sure you can do it if you do it tiny bits at a time.

GeorgeTheHippo · 09/10/2018 07:47

Didn't Ellen whatsername buy a boat by saving her lunch money for years??

MaudesMum · 09/10/2018 07:51

It does look as if it might be difficult for you, as you already live a pretty sensible life! However, its worth doing a bit of research on eBay and local Facebook selling pages to see whether you might have anything in your loft (clothes/odds & ends/childrens things that are no longer needed) that is sellable. If you have spare time and an eye for a bargain you could also consider buying things at carboots/charity shops and selling them on for a bit of a mark-up, or indeed asking friends/relatives if they have stuff they want cleared which you could do similar with (maybe giving them a %g of the cost back?). Good luck!

SimplyPut · 09/10/2018 07:56

If you are already very frugal and not much is left over at the end of the month perhaps aim for a few years time. Every time you go to buy something else think;
💭 'do I need it, will it last, is it good value per wear/quality, would I prefer £20 in my bag fund?'

Also ask husband, family etc for bag fund donations for Christmas and birthdays? 👛

Squiz81 · 09/10/2018 08:10

It doesn't sound like you can change your lifestyle to save money, you need to make some instead. £50 a month is quite achievable though. A small cleaning job / Ironing for people / Dog walking

I got Invisalign braces this year costs thousands. I took out a Sainsbury's credit card to pay for it. Has 36 months interest free. Then I've got a job only about 6 hours a week. It should all be paid off within a year. I know credit cards aren't ideal, but I have no other debt and I won't pay any interest on this card. Worth considering if you don't think the bag will stay at a discount price.

OldJoseph · 09/10/2018 08:11

Yes it's always the car that needs the money!

hammeringinmyhead · 09/10/2018 15:46

If you have any old phones/other tech, try a phone trade-in website.

EmpressJewel · 09/10/2018 18:17

Can you afford to save the £50 a month? If so, just start to put the money aside from now.

You could ask for money for Christmas to put towards the bag, plus you will have a birthday at some point. That would help towards getting the bag.

Original poster
springmachine · 16/10/2018 14:08

Update - I splurged
It's been purchased
I love it to pieces

I AMA shamed of how shallow I am that an object can bring me such joy

OP posts:
BertramKibbler · 16/10/2018 14:12

Oh OP! Can we see a picture?

hendricksy · 16/10/2018 15:52

Yes !! Share share !

MsJolly · 16/10/2018 15:56

Photo!

ChishandFips33 · 16/10/2018 17:03

Well done OP ! See it as your reward for already living so sensibly Smile

We need pics now

(And you might be surprised about your MK bag being wanted by others - no harm in trying)

thenightsky · 16/10/2018 17:19

Picture please!! Grin

I'm currently lusting over a bag too, so I know the feeling.

EmpressJewel · 16/10/2018 17:46

Well done, OP.

I hope your purchase brings you joy for a long time!!!!!

Would love to see a pic of the purchase.

MinesaPinot · 17/10/2018 09:31

Excellent OP, good for you!

Now post photo so we can all lust as well.....Smile

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