topic Re: My purse addiction in Handbags

My purse addiction

smoochy — Wed, 04 Jan 2023 22:28:52 GMT

Finally had to accept that I have a problem. Not kidding. I have sixteen bags. Now that may seem like a small collection to some of you. For me, it's more about the motivation. Stalking sales, getting a rush when I find the the best deal, ordering, receiving. The thrill of opening the box. After that comes the big letdown. The purse doesn't satisfy like I hoped it would. So either I return it or carry it a couple of times, eventually it goes to a thrift shop. Meanwhile always looking for the next great discount. Our (husband and myself) budget has taken quite a hit over time. Money that should have been saved or utilized in much better ways.
So I've set out my current collection where I can see each bag. I will keep three- a large tote, a mid size crossbody and my Lug ranger 2

Someone at the thrift store is going to get some great deals.
No more purses for me. I'm staying off the "trigger" websites.
Turning my attention to more constructive pursuits. It's funny how something that once seemed like harmless fun, turned into an obsession. But I'm over it now.

Re: My purse addiction

PamfromCT — Wed, 04 Jan 2023 22:45:22 GMT

Sounds like you have made the right decision. I give you credit for realizing what is going on and how it is impacting you in a negative way. Many, many people chase happiness

in various ways. In fact, our society encourages it.

I have way too much myself. But I guess the difference is that DH and I raised and educated two children. After college, we helped them get a good start. So finally time for us. DH has his beemer and I have much stuff. But time to quit! And along the way, we do give to charity. And we are giving things away.

Re: My purse addiction

Boomernichols — Wed, 04 Jan 2023 23:02:15 GMT

@smoochy Cudos to you for realizing you had a problem. I am proud of you for making an effort to buy more "stuff." I have come to know that I can not carry any of my possessions with me when I die, so they do not seem as important. Perhaps in my old age, I am finally growing up after all!

Re: My purse addiction

Kachina624 — Wed, 04 Jan 2023 23:11:41 GMT

@smoochy If 16 bags is an addiction, let me just say, "my name is Kachina and I'm a bagoholic". Yes, I know how it is to always be chasing the " holy grail" of handbags and I have expensive taste. I'm returning one I just got in the big Dooney sale. It's beautiful but too much bag for me.

Re: My purse addiction

Meowingkitty — Wed, 04 Jan 2023 23:18:24 GMT

I am MeowingKitty and I am also a Bagaholic. Brighton is my poison of choice. I have so many. All small crossbodies, no totes or big bags. I also have a few Brahmins and Hammitt bags. I donate them to a local animal shelter where they can sell them for the animals. I also seem to be on the lookout for the holy grail of bags and never seem to find one.

Re: My purse addiction

haddon9 — Wed, 04 Jan 2023 23:23:46 GMT

Have you tried selling your gently used bags in a consignment shop? You could at least be getting some money back on your previous purchases

Re: My purse addiction

bonnielu — Wed, 04 Jan 2023 23:24:14 GMT

I have over purchased handbags, wallets, backpacks, duffles, suitcases and whatever holds anything by strap or shoulder or travels by wheels. I was decluttering when I took a break and read this. I have no clue why this addiction. I have not traveled since Covid and that makes is over 2 years. I have called in help to take it away and sell it or put it to auction and no one has showed up. I have also asked my children and grandchildren and they simply are not interested. The only other thing I am addicted to is ice cream.

Re: My purse addiction

haddon9 — Wed, 04 Jan 2023 23:26:41 GMT

@Meowingkitty wrote:
I am MeowingKitty and I am also a Bagaholic. Brighton is my poison of choice. I have so many. All small crossbodies, no totes or big bags. I also have a few Brahmins and Hammitt bags. I donate them to a local animal shelter where they can sell them for the animals. I also seem to be on the lookout for the holy grail of bags and never seem to find one.

@Meowingkitty Brighton bags are my favorite too. I love how they are made but unfortunately they never really go on sale. Prices have really gone up on them and I haven't purchased one in a while.

Re: My purse addiction

SharkE — Wed, 04 Jan 2023 23:37:46 GMT

@PamfromCT wrote:
Sounds like you have made the right decision. I give you credit for realizing what is going on and how it is impacting you in a negative way. Many, many people chase happiness
in various ways. In fact, our society encourages it.

I have way too much myself. But I guess the difference is that DH and I raised and educated two children. After college, we helped them get a good start. So finally time for us. DH has his beemer and I have much stuff. But time to quit! And along the way, we do give to charity. And we are giving things away.

What's a beemer ?

Re: My purse addiction

haddon9 — Wed, 04 Jan 2023 23:40:28 GMT

@SharkE BMW...Beemer

Re: My purse addiction

PamfromCT — Wed, 04 Jan 2023 23:41:39 GMT

@SharkE, Short for BMW.

Re: My purse addiction

Goldengate8361 — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 00:09:07 GMT

@smoochy Why not just keep what you have now (not give some away) but just stop purchasing new ones? You clearly love purses; many of us do. If you have a large collection, you can enjoy using different ones at different times. It is kind of like getting a new one, but you don't have to actually make a purchase. I think you should take joy in what you own. 😊

Re: My purse addiction

Goodie2shoes — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 00:20:25 GMT

What a coincidence ! I purchased the TSV Peria storage containers and they came yesterday so I had a plan to go thru my handbags and store some of them in one of the boxes. I already have a large Peria storage box full of handbags including about 8 dooney's, Kathy Van Zeeland bags (remember that one?) etc.Today I put together a large Peria container and packed away another 20 handbags including more dooney's and a couple of Big Buddha bags (remember those?) I looked up big buddha bags and it looks like they are sold on Etsy now. Loved those bags ! So all together I have about 35 handbags of different sizes and I just ordered the TSV bag from a couple of days ago, still waiting for it. I think I have a bag fettish!! Might be time to go to the goodwill

Re: My purse addiction

smoochy — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 00:35:25 GMT

@Goldengate8361 wrote:
@smoochy Why not just keep what you have now (not give some away) but just stop purchasing new ones? You clearly love purses; many of us do. If you have a large collection, you can enjoy using different ones at different times. It is kind of like getting a new one, but you don't have to actually make a purchase. I think you should take joy in what you own. 😊

I really like what you said. It is fun to go shopping in my own purse closet, lol. That said, I just googled consignment stores and there's a nice one near me that offers womens clothing and accessories.
Tomorrow morning I'll take a few bags in. Yes I've decided to keep more than three. That was going to feel like a punishment. The compromise is to keep about half my collection and not buy more.

Re: My purse addiction

Lucky Charm — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 00:36:41 GMT

I have an addiction, too. But I'm to the point to that I want to *grow my own*.

No brand, no designer, no one does a bag as exactly as I what I want.

There's always at least one feature that's a turn off. I just have to deal with it.

I wish I had the means to create my own handbags. (I'm the same way with bras, too. lol)

Re: My purse addiction

gertrudecloset — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 00:44:31 GMT

@smoochy wrote:
Finally had to accept that I have a problem. Not kidding. I have sixteen bags. Now that may seem like a small collection to some of you. For me, it's more about the motivation. Stalking sales, getting a rush when I find the the best deal, ordering, receiving. The thrill of opening the box. After that comes the big letdown. The purse doesn't satisfy like I hoped it would. So either I return it or carry it a couple of times, eventually it goes to a thrift shop. Meanwhile always looking for the next great discount. Our (husband and myself) budget has taken quite a hit over time. Money that should have been saved or utilized in much better ways.
So I've set out my current collection where I can see each bag. I will keep three- a large tote, a mid size crossbody and my Lug ranger 2
Someone at the thrift store is going to get some great deals.
No more purses for me. I'm staying off the "trigger" websites.
Turning my attention to more constructive pursuits. It's funny how something that once seemed like harmless fun, turned into an obsession. But I'm over it now.

Twelve Step Program for everything. Good luck.

Re: My purse addiction

JeanLouiseFinch — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 01:56:34 GMT

I totally get it, @smoochy, and good for you! I recently had a "come to Jesus" moment of self evaluation as well and cancelled the PN tote that was on waitlist. I'm also returning the Christmas plaid Dooney tote. It's beautiful, but a lot of money to spend for a purse that has limited use. I shouldnt have been so spontaneous. Also cancelled a Dooney Domed Satchel that was on extended delivery and still hasn't shipped. Regretfully, I got caught up in the frenzy too. Thankfully, we can stop, correct, and pivot.

Re: My purse addiction

Kachina624 — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 02:39:31 GMT

@Lucky Charm wrote:
I have an addiction, too. But I'm to the point to that I want to *grow my own*.

No brand, no designer, no one does a bag as exactly as I what I want.

There's always at least one feature that's a turn off. I just have to deal with it.

I wish I had the means to create my own handbags. (I'm the same way with bras, too. lol)

@Lucky Charm I've often thought the same thing. You've heard of Build A Bear? Maybe someone should start Build A Bag?

Re: My purse addiction

smoochy — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 04:44:32 GMT

@gertrudecloset wrote:
@smoochy wrote:
Finally had to accept that I have a problem. Not kidding. I have sixteen bags. Now that may seem like a small collection to some of you. For me, it's more about the motivation. Stalking sales, getting a rush when I find the the best deal, ordering, receiving. The thrill of opening the box. After that comes the big letdown. The purse doesn't satisfy like I hoped it would. So either I return it or carry it a couple of times, eventually it goes to a thrift shop. Meanwhile always looking for the next great discount. Our (husband and myself) budget has taken quite a hit over time. Money that should have been saved or utilized in much better ways.
So I've set out my current collection where I can see each bag. I will keep three- a large tote, a mid size crossbody and my Lug ranger 2
Someone at the thrift store is going to get some great deals.
No more purses for me. I'm staying off the "trigger" websites.
Turning my attention to more constructive pursuits. It's funny how something that once seemed like harmless fun, turned into an obsession. But I'm over it now.
Twelve Step Program for everything. Good luck.

I assume you're joking or something. Certainly I'm not in a program 😉

Re: My purse addiction

smoochy — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 04:41:34 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:
I totally get it, @smoochy, and good for you! I recently had a "come to Jesus" moment of self evaluation as well and cancelled the PN tote that was on waitlist. I'm also returning the Christmas plaid Dooney tote. It's beautiful, but a lot of money to spend for a purse that has limited use. I shouldnt have been so spontaneous. Also cancelled a Dooney Domed Satchel that was on extended delivery and still hasn't shipped. Regretfully, I got caught up in the frenzy too. Thankfully, we can stop, correct, and pivot.

Yes! I so relate to your post. I have done plenty of ordering, canceling, returning. Many of my purchases have sprung from getting caught up in the frenzy over todays specials, posts on the forums about fantastic deals etc. As a bona fide adult, I should be capable of enjoying the chats without losing my impulse control. Lol