Yesterday my friend offered me his 70% friends and family discount on Marc Jacobs. SEVENTY PER CENT. I browsed the site and, though I love love love Marc Jacobs with all my heart, I passed on the offer.
I'm sorry, I should've warned you there would be some shock involved in this post. And perhaps the need for a diaper. I'll get right to the point.
Maybe it's the recession, or our recent purchase of a home, or the fact that I already own a gorgeous Marc Jacobs bag, among other things, but I just wasn't that excited over the idea of dropping $500 on a new bag. Had I been coveting it for months, I would've impulse purchased my little ass off. But I haven't, so I didn't, and now here I am.
And that's when it hit me—maybe the one teensy, tiny sliver of good that comes from this shit-ass recession is that it makes you appreciate what you have just a little bit more. It just feels a bit whackadoodle to drop money on a new bag when I already have ten and some of my friends are struggling to find jobs.
SO.
Remember that penny jar I started back in June? I'm filling it up again, copper coin by copper coin. So that when I really, really want something, I'll have a little stash on the side to tap into. Until then, I'm roughin' it with last season's bags and waiting (im)patiently for Mr. McQ. Peace.
*Oh, believe me, I thought I was DAMN clever for coining that term, too. But then I googled it and felt about as original as a two-dollar bill. Are you catching all the financial lingo here? Cha-ching!
19 comments:
I've been attempting to tighten the belt for years- I was bracing for a lack of income on my part as I transitioned to self-employment. I'm not exactly grateful, but the recession has definitely given me a much needed kick in the pants and what's better is it's trickling down to my son, who never knew the word "restraint" in terms of money. It's a good lesson. Not a fun one, but a good one.
I agree. My inbox has been flooded with sale emails and I haven't felt the need to buy just because of a sale. I, too, would rather hold out for something I'm completely smitten with.
And I love that this year in particular with the economy and job layoffs, it really makes me have a whole new meaning for Thanksgiving. I hope things start looking up for everyone searching for jobs this holiday season!
It's so hard. I've been on a ban for a few months, and I'm limiting myself to ebay items with what's left in my paypal account. Sad, sorry and pathetic.
so. . .i totally know what your talking about. I went to indianapolis (the biggest city near me..hehe) shopping on saturday and the last time I was there shopping I spent ALOT of money and came back with a backseat full of bags...
this time..I barely had 1 bag. and one thing i had to buy because i had something to return and i couldn't get cash back..so i had to exchange it. there was just sooo much stuff i saw and longed for but couldn't make myself buy. oh by the way..i'm one of those "no job" friends. haha i was laid off in august when i got back from my honeymoon. i get unemployment but its not nearly enough...
i love these bags, bee--but like you, i feel happy that i looked at them, thought "oh, pretty," and then didn't give the idea of whipping out my credit card a second thought.
and i also love what courtney said about these tough times giving thanksgiving a whole new meaning. so true. i think a lot of us are feeling the urge to nest this year; for me personally, the idea of baking cookies or making handmade gifts for my friends in my warm little apartment is so much more appealing to me than buying something material at the freezing cold mall this year--and THAT is something i'm definitely thankful for.
I too restrained myself with the Marc sale yesterday. It's a weird world when I'm not tempted by buttery leather and silver buckles. But, in the end, our house needs new floors more than I need another bag.
Oh I feel you on this one. I'm having serious regrets after opening my JCrack credit card statement. I'll need 2,353 penny jars to pay that sucker off.
Lil Bee,
I'm trying with all my might to comprehend your 70% Marc Jacobs logic, but, alas, well, there is no "alas"! Anywho, Yahoo TV has just confirmed my RHOA/Big Poppa suspicions! If you can't find the exact link on yahoo, I have it on my site!
The self-control! Golly, I'm impressed, I don't know if I could do it! You're so good to remind us of the penny jar again, though. I need to start collecting my change again too!
I'm thinking Marc Jacobs might go under... what do you think? And I'm just noticing the "word verification" that I have to put in to post my comment is "porkers". Has anyone else ever had such a silly word...
Oh so sad. Maybe if we each just bought one little teeny-tiny Marc Jacobs piece (just one) and On Sale... well, that would be okay, right? I mean, what better way to stimulate the economy- and then you can pin the DSW receipt that says "YOU SAVED $264.82" on the fridge and know that our shoes (just the one pair for each) will make us feel fabulous AND frugal.
aw.i've found some gorg marc jacobs bags at higher end surplus shoppes for about 125+. though 70% is quite a generous discount, i must say.
i've been limiting my shopping to smaller boutique-y retailers, vintage and crafter/artisan types anyway, though i don't know if the amount of my spending has changed.
OH, and pennies :) your pennies are worth more than what they are because copper values have gone up.
yes, all things in perspective sometimes. probably smart ...but wow. 70% is a big one!
lovely post and reminder to appreciate all of the pretty things we already have. and especially to appreciate our paychecks, above all else (even a mj).
look at you...all growns up! i'm proud of you!
we're more removed from all the unemployment stress and guilt over here {replaced by other issues, let me assure you!}, but i still think fifty times before buying anything unnecessary these days...
And perhaps the need for a diaper? easily one of your best. lines. yet.
i love your space...you know this. xoxo.
whoaaa, 70%...i need a lot of self control to be able to pass that! you have made a very good point, about appreciating, and i'm with you!!! :)
I would wager that the new home purchase and filling it with lovely objects isn't warranting a new Marc Jacobs bag {beautiful bags, though}. :)
I just wrote down this lunch date on my calendar- my church is picking up the tab. It is a GROUP (a whole group!) of people gathering to eat lunch, kvetch, and pray for work.
So funny...I really AM in your head. You warned me to get it but it seems I cannot.
I blogged about Recessionistas a couple of days ago. There is a blogger out there under the very name and she was feature in the Style section. I linked to her. Yes, everyone is using this term...we all have it on the brain! I've put a moratorium on the shopping. You will get so much joy out of buying things for your home and taking the time to get it ready that you'll forget about that MJ bag in no time...ok, maybe not "no time" but it will happen! It does indeed seem silly to be out there spending money when Citibank is trading at $5 a share, people are losing their jobs and the federal govt is bailing out left and right.
it sucks when you have to "budget" or "do without" BUT- on the other hand- we have spent two holidays in foreign countries--and we LOVED it. Not because we were in a foreign country (okay, okay, Paris at Christmas = fab) BUT--there's not all the hoo-haw of "CELEBRATE! BUY! HAPPINESS! BUY!SANTA! BUY!" It's about why you DO want to celebrate- by being with family and friends...not the crap you can buy.
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