What Buying a Louis Vuitton Bag Taught Me About Money

Summary

The author learned about the value of investing in quality over quantity through the purchase of a Louis Vuitton bag, aligning with her frugal values and leading to long-term savings and environmental consciousness.

Abstract

The article discusses the author's journey from purchasing inexpensive, low-quality bags to investing in a high-quality, pre-loved Louis Vuitton handbag. The author reflects on how her initial desire for numerous cheap bags did not bring satisfaction or align with her values of frugality and quality. The purchase of a vintage LV bag, which proved to be durable and versatile, taught her that spending more on a quality item can be more economical in the long run, as it eliminates the need for frequent replacements and reduces clutter. The author emphasizes the importance of saving for what one truly wants instead of making impulsive, less expensive purchases that do not fulfill long-term needs or desires. Additionally, the author notes the environmental benefit of reducing waste by not contributing to the cycle of buying and discarding low-quality items.

Opinions

The author believes that buying quality items, like a Louis Vuitton bag, is a wise financial decision as it provides long-term value and use.
She expresses that being frugal is not about being cheap but about spending money on items that align with one's values and will last, thus avoiding unnecessary expenditures on lower-quality alternatives.
The author suggests that saving for a desired item and avoiding cheap substitutes is a better financial strategy.
She shares the opinion that by investing in a durable, multi-use bag, she has contributed to less waste and helped the environment by not adding to the landfill with frequent bag purchases.
The author implies that the satisfaction and confidence gained from owning and using a high-quality bag outweigh the temporary pleasure from buying cheaper, less durable options.

Buying a little luxury still aligns with my frugal values

I fancy LV bags ever since. I’m really drooling over them but seeing them in pictures would suffice. A bag that would cost a month’s net pay is just impractical and I’m not out of my mind.

For one who is building savings 10 years ago, my price range for a bag is $20 or cheaper. They may be cheap but still, those bags would carry my essentials. I had bags in all sorts of colors, buying bags every month and more new bags to suit the color of my outfits on every occasion. But was I contented with my purchases? No.

“You are not buying a bag, you are buying an image”

I was not happy, I’m not proud and I’m not confident while carrying my bags. Who would be confident toting bags with chipping parts and loose threads? The bags lose their form a week after they are worn. Well, I just get my money’s worth.

In 2017, I took a leap and bought my first Louis Vuitton handbag. Still, the frugal me bought a pre-loved vintage bag. It was a 1989 bag but the monogram canvass is still vibrant in its deep brown patina. It was old but still exudes a unique beauty.

Photo by Author

A year after, a got the LV above, a newer one (but still pre-loved). The bag can be used in many ways. It can be used as a crossbody so I can use it during errands like doing groceries; it can be a shoulder bag using the leather or gold chain when you want to look more formal; or transfer the chain to make it a wrist strap and the bag becomes a clutch. I was fascinated by how this bag meets my needs. I use it almost anywhere!

Finally, I had the bags that I want and may I say I deserve.

What I learned from this experience:

Buying quality items even if expensive saves money in the long run. My first LV is now 33 years old but still intact and beautiful. Imagine buying a new LV bag today and using it in the next 30 years? That’s real value for money instead of buying plenty of $20 bags that would later on cause clutter in your homes.

If you want something, save for it and stop buying cheap items while waiting for the time that you can finally afford what you want. If I compute the amount that I spent on the fast fashion bags that I bought because they are cute and cheap, I should have already bought an LV a long time ago. Small amounts add up. Save and restrain yourself from spending until you can afford what you want.

I saved money and helped save the environment, too. When I got the bag of my dreams, I never looked at any other bags. That was a great help to control clutter in my home and it controlled my spending, too. I haven’t bought bags in 3 years. It means, fewer bags to go to the landfill.

The Ultimate Take-Away:

Being frugal doesn't equate to being cheap. Being frugal is spending money with a purpose that aligns with your values which must include not compromising quality for the sake of saving money.

Thanks for reading my friends!

This is not in any way an endorsement of the brand mentioned. I’m not in any way affiliated with the brand and the use of their trademark in this article is for discussion purposes.