Do you measure opportunity cost in terms of jewellery?

[Harriet]

I went shopping recently and felt sick when I realised that I could have put the money towards a bauble. It''s become worse and worse. I just passed on an air-ticket for the same reason. Do any of you have the same affliction?

 

[surfgirl]

No. What you describe sounds like it borders on obsession, if you'll pardon my honesty.

I always love a nice piece of jewelry but recently - in the last year or two - I've realized that I can only wear so much jewelry so I've been liquidating my collection over time, so I'm left with only the best of the best. If I add to that, it will have to be something spectacular. I've had too many "ooh, I love that!" and then I barely wear it a few times. So nope. There are so many things to spend money on, like amazing travel. Or investing it in my future so I dont have to live in a trailer, down by the river. I have a fear of being destitute, but with very good jewerly, and let's face it, that's not a pretty picture!

 

[Harriet]

Darn. I''m the only sicko so far.

 

[Miranda]

LOL! Yep, I measure everything in not only jewelry, but, clothes and furniture, too. Mostly jewelry though. I was just wondering if I would settle down once (if, when) I get that upgrade.

 

[Harriet]

I contracted my affliction after my upgrade. Beware!

 

[Harriet]

Date: 6/21/2007 12:47:40 AM
Author: surfgirl
No. What you describe sounds like it borders on obsession, if you'll pardon my honesty.

I always love a nice piece of jewelry but recently - in the last year or two - I've realized that I can only wear so much jewelry so I've been liquidating my collection over time, so I'm left with only the best of the best. If I add to that, it will have to be something spectacular. I've had too many 'ooh, I love that!' and then I barely wear it a few times. So nope. There are so many things to spend money on, like amazing travel. Or investing it in my future so I dont have to live in a trailer, down by the river. I have a fear of being destitute, but with very good jewerly, and let's face it, that's not a pretty picture!

No worries. I do exercise self-control though.

It helps that my short-term wishlist has been truncated.
Yeah, jewellery is not going to do much good if one doesn't have a decent roof over one's head.

 

[diamondfan]

I spend a lot of money on clothes and shoes and bags and makeup and sometimes I think, gee, with all that I dribbled away on things I may not be wearing for very long, I could have had X. Though I do not deny myself too much overall, it does put some of the impulse shopping into perspective. That said, if I never bought another lipstick, purse, sunglasses, or shoes, etc, I would be fine. It is not about needing it. I do know I have a bit of a shopping issue in general, but thinking about all those little things adding up to one big thing makes you think, whether or not you would ever get the big think or not. But I would not pass up a trip over it, if I had the time and money to get away with my guy or family, I would think that is even more valuable in the long run...(but I hate to fly which stinks, so not going away is sometimes okay with me!!!)

 

[Harriet]

The trip I passed on is one on which I'm iffy anyway. It's also overpriced because it's last-minute. It's funny -- I love jewellery, but I also enjoy a good bargain. I rarely ever buy things at full-price.

 

[strmrdr]

Well iv been jonesin for a new pet rock
Saw something interesting and thought hmmm If I leave the meat out of my fried rice for the next month I can maybe buy it.
and yea thats sick LOL
But didn't so can have some meat in my fried rice :}
(yes iv been on a fried rice kick lately, its cheap and yummy, eat for a whole week on $7)

 

[Harriet]

What pet rock are you eyeing? Please tell me you''re eating something healthy beside fried rice.

 

[Cehrabehra]

I don''t deny myself things thinking, "oh I should deny this so I can buy a solitaire" or whatever... but since I found that wedding set I like I keep thinking, "too bad I didn''t get a 1-1.5 carat round, stick it in there and have many thousands left over to go travel to {fill in the blank} LOL But who knows, if I''d done that I might have gotten tired or thought it too small or who knows what.... I had DSS set in before I even had my stone and haven''t regretted its size being too small ever and I seriously doubt I ever will. There''s nothing I actually regret about my stone or my setting, but I do feel a bit guilty over what I''ve spent. Thankfully dh doesn''t rub it in, but I''ve spent many times more than I intended to and it gets to me sometimes.... especially when I think of family members who are struggling.

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 6/21/2007 1:17:15 AM
Author: Harriet
What pet rock are you eyeing? Please tell me you''re eating something healthy beside fried rice.

hess. Garnet the nicest cinnamon brown that I have seen.
I was looking at it a long while ago but the person didn''t want to sell at that time.

Well I had mcD''s tonight and a tombstone pizza the other day, last week had a nice dinner at my sisters otherwise its been mostly chicken fried rice.

 

[elle]

You''re not alone Harriet

I just bought 2 bags and 2 pairs of shoes then it hit me that I could have gotten a new watch or bauble instead.

 

[Phoenix]

Never!!

. I used to really hate shopping for clothes and shoes, only shopped when I really needed to and then I would get absolutely exhausted and almost always never found what I was looking for, or alternatively the stuff I thought was gorgeous would not fit me.

. Since I've stopped working full time, I have more free time and happen to go to Orchard Road practically everyday whenever I am not working on a project, since my gym/ Club is in the area. So it helps that i am *forced* to go past the shops and I take the opportunity to buy things from time to time, and not when I really need them (which is usually when you never find anything that fits yr requirements). Even now, I only buy clothes once or twice or month. Sometimes, I would go for months without buying anything at all. So I am glad when I actually do manage to find things that I like and I buy them without regret or without wishing I could have used the money for jewellery instead. I do also get a kick out of buying expensive designer gear at mark-down prices in the sale! LOL.

Bag shopping is another thing altogether, it's an addiction just like diamonds for me. In fact, I've been a bag addict since I was 16 whereas I've only been a diamond addict for the past 12 yrs or so

. I NEVER EVER regret buying a bag! I could go bag-shopping everyday!!

As for travel, as mentioned in yr other thread, I will always choose travel over diamonds. Unfortunately, time (or rather lack thereof, at least for hubby) is always a problem.

 

[Madam Bijoux]

I sometimes get annoyed with myself for buying non-essentials when I could have used the money to get jewelry (always an essential). I''ve just decided to get a Royal Asscher, so the handbag obsession will be taking a back seat for a while.

 

[Dee*Jay]

I''m about to confess an act of sacrilege here, but sometimes I do the "opportunity cost" thing in the other direction. For instance, when I was recently considering a yellow diamond ring I thought to myself, yanno, I could just use that $ to remodel the third bathroom instead…

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 6/21/2007 9:20:24 AM
Author: Dee*Jay
I'm about to confess an act of sacrilege here, but sometimes I do the 'opportunity cost' thing in the other direction. For instance, when I was recently considering a yellow diamond ring I thought to myself, yanno, I could just use that $ to remodel the third bathroom instead…

yikes!!!
say it aint so!!!!!!
must not listen!

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 6/21/2007 7:36:22 AM
Author: Madam Bijoux
I sometimes get annoyed with myself for buying non-essentials when I could have used the money to get jewelry (always an essential). I''ve just decided to get a Royal Asscher, so the handbag obsession will be taking a back seat for a while.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 6/21/2007 9:20:24 AM
Author: Dee*Jay
I''m about to confess an act of sacrilege here, but sometimes I do the ''opportunity cost'' thing in the other direction. For instance, when I was recently considering a yellow diamond ring I thought to myself, yanno, I could just use that $ to remodel the third bathroom instead…

Fine, I''LL go buy the yellow diamond ring!

Madam B, you MUST post pics when you get that new bauble!! *so jealous*

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 6/21/2007 9:20:24 AM
Author: Dee*Jay
I''m about to confess an act of sacrilege here, but sometimes I do the ''opportunity cost'' thing in the other direction. For instance, when I was recently considering a yellow diamond ring I thought to myself, yanno, I could just use that $ to remodel the third bathroom instead…

Does this mean the yellow stone is off the table..... for now?

 

[Dee*Jay]

Date: 6/21/2007 10:11:06 AM
Author: Cehrabehra

Date: 6/21/2007 9:20:24 AM

Author: Dee*Jay

I''m about to confess an act of sacrilege here, but sometimes I do the ''opportunity cost'' thing in the other direction. For instance, when I was recently considering a yellow diamond ring I thought to myself, yanno, I could just use that $ to remodel the third bathroom instead…

Does this mean the yellow stone is off the table..... for now?

Yes... replaced by a new onxy vessel sink, super flushing Toto toilet, European walk in shower with body jets *everywhere*...

(I just lost my momentum on this one. Who knows, maybe it will come back... )

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 6/21/2007 9:20:24 AM
Author: Dee*Jay
I'm about to confess an act of sacrilege here, but sometimes I do the 'opportunity cost' thing in the other direction. For instance, when I was recently considering a yellow diamond ring I thought to myself, yanno, I could just use that $ to remodel the third bathroom instead…

Me too!!!! But that's because my FI and I are in graduate school, and looking to buy a house soon. We're good savers, and certainly did not go beyond our means for either my ring or the wedding, but I do have those days when I think "If I didn't need this plat. Ritani setting and had just gotten a plain white gold set, we could have had $3,000 more toward our down payment".

But then I get over it once I see my gorgeous rings AND see that our nest egg is still securely in our bank account!

 

[iheartscience]

Date: 6/21/2007 12:43:09 AM
Author:Harriet
I went shopping recently and felt sick when I realised that I could have put the money towards a bauble. It''s become worse and worse. I just passed on an air-ticket for the same reason. Do any of you have the same affliction?

YES! I recently bought a couple of handbags and when I added it up, I realized I was well on my way to a pair of ACA bezel set studs! BUT-I didn''t realize I wanted the earrings yet at the time I bought the bags, so I couldn''t hold it against myself. Hahaha!

Travel, on the other hand, I can never pass up-even for jewelry!

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Date: 6/21/2007 9:20:24 AM
Author: Dee*Jay
I''m about to confess an act of sacrilege here, but sometimes I do the ''opportunity cost'' thing in the other direction. For instance, when I was recently considering a yellow diamond ring I thought to myself, yanno, I could just use that $ to remodel the third bathroom instead…

This is my thinking too. DH and I are rebuilding our 1,200 sq. foot deck and installing a $11K hot tub, and I can only imagine what HUGE 1.5+ ct diamond I could have boughten with that money. But, then again, what would my family do all evening while I sat in a daze staring at my ring?!? lol I''ve gotta keep them busy or they''ll drive me insane!

I am a firm believer in balance. I LOVE cosmetics and clothes and I wouldn''t sacrifice one love just to over indulge in another. I like the idea of buying just one great piece every year or two and getting full enjoyment out of the item and having a great new outfit to coordinate with it!

 

[partgypsy]

Yeah, for many years I didn''t mind doing supercuts, having modest wardrobe, pared down tolietries because it all seemed rather disposable and rather be putting the extra dollars towards a nice bauble.
However last few months (sacrilege) been doing the opposite where thinking of taking the plunge to get new replacement windows which will cost what? 15 grand? Lately whenever I''ve been thinking of future jewelry purchases, I then think, man that would pay off a window!!!
But it will be nice to have windows that work...

 

[surfgirl]

"Yes... replaced by a new onxy vessel sink, super flushing Toto toilet, European walk in shower with body jets *everywhere*..."

*snort!* DeeJay, I nearly spit out my coffee reading that last bit! Too funny.

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 6/21/2007 12:40:27 PM
Author: surfgirl
'Yes... replaced by a new onxy vessel sink, super flushing Toto toilet, European walk in shower with body jets *everywhere*...'

*snort!* DeeJay, I nearly spit out my coffee reading that last bit! Too funny.

Heehehee, this was too funny. This is what makes us love DeeJay. hehehe

I added up all my excursions on the trip and I could have bought an aca bangle but no way would I have traded those experiences. I am happy w/my choice!!!!

I can't believe you passed up buying an airline ticket. I thought over in your travel/jewlery poll you chose travel? No? hehehe

No honestly, if jewlery makes you happy, then buy jewlery.

 

[Maisie]

Date: 6/21/2007 12:43:09 AM
Author:Harriet
I went shopping recently and felt sick when I realised that I could have put the money towards a bauble. It's become worse and worse. I just passed on an air-ticket for the same reason. Do any of you have the same affliction?

Aaah don't call it an affliction darling! Call it planning ahead for lovely things and weighing up how much you want the bauble as opposed to how much you want the air ticket

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/21/2007 10:14:44 AM
Author: Dee*Jay

Date: 6/21/2007 10:11:06 AM
Author: Cehrabehra

Date: 6/21/2007 9:20:24 AM

Author: Dee*Jay

I'm about to confess an act of sacrilege here, but sometimes I do the 'opportunity cost' thing in the other direction. For instance, when I was recently considering a yellow diamond ring I thought to myself, yanno, I could just use that $ to remodel the third bathroom instead…

Does this mean the yellow stone is off the table..... for now?

Yes... replaced by a new onxy vessel sink, super flushing Toto toilet, European walk in shower with body jets *everywhere*...

(I just lost my momentum on this one. Who knows, maybe it will come back... )

Dee, PLEASE don't ever leave Pricescope, we all enjoy you so much!!

and I would rather have a wee baublette than travel or practical things mainly

 

[aljdewey]

Date: 6/21/2007 9:20:24 AM
Author: Dee*Jay
I''m about to confess an act of sacrilege here, but sometimes I do the ''opportunity cost'' thing in the other direction. For instance, when I was recently considering a yellow diamond ring I thought to myself, yanno, I could just use that $ to remodel the third bathroom instead…

Yep - same here.

"Aw, crap.....there goes my vacation to xxxx.....but LOOK at my LOVELY new stone!"