Do finances and luxury go together? 3 questions to ask before your next luxury purchase

About this channel: Just a business professor sharing her thoughts on life, learning, and luxury. This channel occasionally contains affiliate links.

[@marieunderthesun]

Love this video! I’m a huge proponent of the idea that you can be financially responsible AND buy luxury goods. I think I’m going to make a response video to this, because your questions are excellent and exactly in line with my own financial philosophy!

[@abriefcaseofluxury]

Oh yes, please do! PS. I recently watched your Hermes Birkin unboxing (which CONGRATS, it's beautiful! )❤and honestly, I enjoyed listening to you talk about it from a financial perspective as much as I enjoyed the actual unboxing!

[@wittingchic]

Yes!! I think I’d like to do a video on this too bc I’m definitely both nosey and very much into the idea of being financially responsible (after earlier years of not being great at it too). ❤ love both your channels and it’s so fun to see how we connect!

[@marieunderthesun]

@@abriefcaseofluxury thank you so much! Hermes is definitely NOT financially accessible but I want to be a lot more transparent about the money aspect of the game to inform folks.

[@tpm9949]

I’m like you, I’m completely nosey on the lux KZbinrs and their finances and how they afford luxury.

[@abriefcaseofluxury]

lol 😘 I'm glad I'm not alone!!!

[@cassielin9628]

I really like when people include prices and how they afforded the item. Partly because I'm nosy lol, but also keeping money talk taboo only reenforces classism. There shouldn't be anything shameful about needing to save up for a luxury bag, or needing to prioritize other (financial) goals over buying a bag.

[@abriefcaseofluxury]

That's a really good, I didn't think about it in that sense, but you're absolutely right!

[@mwedzi]

I love your channel because it's the intersection of 2 of my interests, and I've been interested in personal finance longer than luxury handbags. So I'm very interested in people discussing prices and how they afford them. High prices are in part how we even determine whether to categorize something as 'luxury', so it's like we need to know the price to even know how luxurious it is! My personal stance is that, as long as I have a 3+ month emergency fund + sinking funds + retirement funded to a level I'm cool with (which is not the max, for me, but i do also get a pension) + no consumer debt + growing my 'excess cash/equities' fund even a little each year ... I'm good to spend the rest how I want. I'm sure that's not the wisest stance financially, but I'm not viewing my life at the moment as just optimizing my finances. I want to spend some money now and enjoy some things now. Regarding luxury prices increasing 10% each year ... they had not always done so, right? Maybe they will not continue to do so indefinitely. But even if they do, that's why I'm like, 'buy a few luxury pieces that I really like now while I can comfortably afford them, and then if I need to exclusively shop only contemporary in the future, that's fine'. So many nice contemporary bags, I won't be suffering for lack of choices. Thanks for the awesome topic.

[@abriefcaseofluxury]

I LOVE hearing about your philosophy and the steps you have taken to ensure your financial health ❤❤❤ thanks for watching!

[@littleindulgences7679]

Loved this. Smart, focused and completely identifiable!

[@abriefcaseofluxury]

I'm so glad! ❤

[@sophianachtigall3598]

I am high earner and live with husband who is also high earner. This gives us a lot of disposable income to enjoy luxury. For us, this is traveling primarily. I would always choose adventure over a bag. But I also have a luxury bag or two (or several). Our main rule is “no debts”, we buy everything when we have enough money. Even a real-estate. Sometimes we have to wait longer and save to purchase something we want, but no debt rule stays.

[@abriefcaseofluxury]

Thank you for sharing, I need to shift more to that mindset of "no debt" as well!

[@DaniOchannel]

I love knowing about the personal finances of others 😅 I wanna know how they do it. I did do a video on my frugal habits. That helps. But I have also spent out of FOMO before and probably dipped into my savings more than I like. I lived below my means when I was younger, so I had the savings there. I try to avoid that now by mostly buying preloved❤

[@abriefcaseofluxury]

SAME! 😀

[@LadyVintageBags]

Totally agree, while lots of mean comments are made about "well must be nice to have a well earning husband that buys for your bags" but no one really says "well must be nice to have done well in your career to able to afford luxury" I guess because having a well earning husband can envoke jealousy/envy in others who feel its not fair that they dont have a well earning husband who can buy them bags. Whereas working hard doesnt envoke as much jealousy in others 😅. Also i think people dont want to acknowledge that content creation in itself can be a very intensive and entrepreneurial way to earn income. Very successful infuencers had to work hard at their social media and the buck stops with them vs an employee role where if the business is having a bad week you still get paid but its the owner that takes the hit

[@abriefcaseofluxury]

I know! I really didn't have much appreciation for what it means for influencers to pursue this as a full-time career - props to them, I have a newfound respect for them!

[@LesleyAdina]

Loved this video! I’ve been watching your videos for a while and realized I’ve never commented🙈 Really appreciate you sharing your thoughts and being so transparent regarding your financial past and your current approach.

[@abriefcaseofluxury]

That means so much to me, thank you for watching!!! 🥰

[@Kaitaritz2013]

Hi there,I’m loving your videos and analysis! Keep them coming!

[@abriefcaseofluxury]

Thank you, and will do!!! 😀😀😀

[@jaks_bag_attack]

I always talk about money because it's just a fact we know lux is not cheap, oh I am bad with money done all of the above.

[@TheHandbagConnoisseur]

This was awesome! Personal finance is my jam 😊

[@abriefcaseofluxury]

Aw thanks for watching! I just love the fact that so many people here seem to have a healthy appreciate for both, it's inspiring! 💪

[@LadyVintageBags]

I want to know how much 😅 thats what i appreciate about MelinMelbournes channel. She spends big $$$ but she always shares prices so i can clearly understand when a bag out of reach for me 😂

[@abriefcaseofluxury]

I know! I feel like there are youtubers who can do it so elegantly without coming off braggy, whether they intend to or not, lol! Like when I watch her unboxings, I just feel happy FOR her, based on her energy, and how she presents it, you know? haha...