"But it's a great sale!" Too bad, keep saving!

[cranilation]

I want a pair of $400 boots.  I've been tucking away $25 each month so that in a year I can afford to buy these boots used.  I figure, if I want it, I can save for it, and once i have it saved up, hopefully i can find a sale.

I've got about $75 tucked away for these boots.

Today, they go on sale... new boots, $200 (after doing some gift card tricks, extra codes, the whole 9 yards).  I've seen used boots this cheap, but not new ones.  I can afford to spend my money on this if i pull from my savings account.  And, in the long run, it would be cheaper than saving up $300.  And I get them today, instead of who knows when.

On the one hand, this is brilliant! I get what I want, and I can save money too! It's a great deal!

On the other hand, I know its a trick.  If I buy these boots today, that will turn into a debt that I owe to myself.  And I know that in six months, oh-what-do-you-know, this other thing is on SUPER SALE.  Hey, look at all this money I've got saved up to pay myself back for buying those boots!

The point of saving for 12 months before you buy a luxury is not so that you have the money saved up.  The point is that it helps you prioritize.  Do I really want the boots? Yes.  Do I want them so bad that I'm willing to pass over these other luxuries until I buy them? .... Maybe!  But either way, I believe I must make the choice - I can't have it all, and save money to reach financial independence.  So set your goals, start your budget, and don't let the trick of "Great Savings" make you spend more than you have budgeted!

[SporeSpawn]

I'm not fashion/function experienced, so this is just my curiosity jumping out: why are these boots $400?

And not to distract from the subject matter, I agree. A sale is done to encourage a purchase. If it doesn't fit your budget plans, it's no better than a price increase.

[Eric]

If they're on sale for $200 today, they'll be on sale for $200 again at some point in the future.  Wait until you've saved up enough, and then wait for the sale.  Win win!

[MrFancypants]

My personal stance on this is that if it's something that I'm already saving up for, I'm willing to give myself a loan to take advantage and save some money (assuming there's cash set aside that would allow me to give myself a loan).

If you already have the willpower to save $25 a month for however long to get these boots, you have the willpower to buy the boots and put that $25 a month into savings for as long as it takes to even up the balance.

[cranilation]

My personal stance on this is that if it's something that I'm already saving up for, I'm willing to give myself a loan to take advantage and save some money (assuming there's cash set aside that would allow me to give myself a loan).

If you already have the willpower to save $25 a month for however long to get these boots, you have the willpower to buy the boots and put that $25 a month into savings for as long as it takes to even up the balance.

Ah, but if I don't have the willpower to not jump on every sale I see, will I have the willpower to keep repaying my self-loan?

And to answer the question about why the boots are worth $400 $300 to me: they are hand made, they are made in America, and they are made so that you can repair them and renew them, instead of wearing them out and throwing them away.  But in the end, fashion is a hobby and I know better that to think that my "hobby" is more than just that - thus the strict budgeting.

Here's the deal, if anyone else is interested in jumping on these.

[MrFancypants]

Ah, but if I don't have the willpower to not jump on every sale I see, will I have the willpower to keep repaying my self-loan?

And to answer the question about why the boots are worth $400 $300 to me: they are hand made, they are made in America, and they are made so that you can repair them and renew them, instead of wearing them out and throwing them away.  But in the end, fashion is a hobby and I know better that to think that my "hobby" is more than just that - thus the strict budgeting.

Here's the deal, if anyone else is interested in jumping on these.

That's a question that only you can answer for yourself.  The rule I outlined was for myself, because I know that I'm not the type of person who jumps at every sale I see.  I only jump at the ones that are for products I *know* I will have a practical use for, or in the case of satisfying a "want" that it was something I've had a desire for for beyond the "impulse" time period.

[GuitarStv]

400$ boots?  Do they come with two extra pairs in the box?

[MrFancypants]

I don't know anything about these particular boots, but they may be of sufficiently high quality that they could last longer than two other pair of less expensive boots.

Regarding boots in general, the cheaper ones tend to be of a type that are designed to be discarded when the sole is worn out.  Nicer ones may pay off in the end because typically they're made in a way that allows the sole to be replaced.

In other words: occasionally it is worth it to pay more up front to purchase a higher quality item.  Please note that saying this is not the same as saying that more expensive does not always mean higher quality, you have to be discerning and calculated in this decision.

[marty998]

Who the hell buys used shoes?

I know we're supposed to be frugal and all, but I draw the line here. Putting aside hygiene for a moment, what state are they in after someone else has gotten full use out of them?

[ambimammular]

Who the hell buys used shoes?

I know we're supposed to be frugal and all, but I draw the line here. Putting aside hygiene for a moment, what state are they in after someone else has gotten full use out of them?

Oooh, I do. I like to go to the consignment store in the pricy part of town, looking for very high quality stuff. Someone takes the high hit on the name brand, and then realizes they'd rather have flats than heels, or finds that the boots have been tucked away in a closet and they've bought another pair because they'd forgotten.

Yeah, I'll snag up their mistake.

[kscubz]

this thread is relevant to my interests. 

As a heavy user of boots, I have graduated from 50 dollar wal-mart throw-aways that have lasted as short as 4 months, believe it or not, to 300 dollar made in USA name brand rebuild-ables, and finally settled on sub 200 dollar not made in USA name brand rebuild-ables.  I like the idea of rebuildable boots but I have personally never bothered to rebuild. It just doesn't make sense. I have been quoted approx. 150 for a rebuild and in my case by the time the sole is trashed (2 years at best) the upper is absolutely destroyed as well. Im talking busted out leather in achilles tendon area as well as the steel toe area.

I would be interested to hear from anybody that has had experience with having boots rebuilt, how long they lasted before being rebuilt, what the original purchase price was, as well as rebuild costs, and also how long they lasted and what kind of use they were subjected to.

[MrsPete]

My personal stance on this is that if it's something that I'm already saving up for, I'm willing to give myself a loan to take advantage and save some money (assuming there's cash set aside that would allow me to give myself a loan).

If you already have the willpower to save $25 a month for however long to get these boots, you have the willpower to buy the boots and put that $25 a month into savings for as long as it takes to even up the balance.

I fall into this category.  If I've determined to make the purchase, and it goes on sale (and half off is pretty significant)), I'd go ahead and make the purpose.  I'm self-disciplined enough to continue setting aside money to pay for them, even if I've already received the reward.  That's one of the benefits of having savings available:  You can take advantage of good sales. 

Who the hell buys used shoes?

I know we're supposed to be frugal and all, but I draw the line here. Putting aside hygiene for a moment, what state are they in after someone else has gotten full use out of them?

I buy used shoes, when I'm able to find good ones.  Not all shoes have had "full use" before they're tossed -- often enough people buy impulsively, then realize they didn't like the shoes /the shoes didn't fit /or whatever. 

[pbkmaine]

If they are of high quality, get them. Frye boots, for example, last for decades. I wore the Frye boots I got in college for 20 years. I expect to wear the pair I got 10 years ago for another 10. They are pricey, but on a per-wear basis they can cost less than Payless.

[trailrated]

Speaking of nice boots, my work was generous enough to issue $350 gift cards to a Red Wing Boots store. I work in construction and steel toed boots are a must. You can take them in anytime and they oil them and put waterproofing on for free in addition to replacing shoelaces (I have gotten 4 new pairs already). So far they have lasted 2 years and word on the street is we are getting the gift cards again this year. If they are functional I can see how they might be worth it. Then again I lucked out and did not have to pay for mine.

[gimp]

I struggle with this issue as well. I have a yearly budget for camera gear, but if something goes on serious discount on craigslist, it's hard not to jump. (Let me be clear: lenses only, never bodies; bodies depreciate, lenses generally do not.) I figure: well, I can spend $x this year or $x+300 next year, so it's smarter to get it now.

However, I picked out a list of things I wanted a while back, and I'm approaching having the list completed - and I'm not salivating at other things that weren't previously on the list. (Or rather, salivating or not, I'm making no plans to purchase any.) I think I can avoid the upgrade treadmill. This means that it does actually make sense to break the budget and get the big discount, assuming the discount is big enough that I'm unlikely to get it in the future. (I know prices well enough to know when that's the case.) Still, I recognize that some (most? all?) of the purchases are silly; I've seen perfectly functional cars sold for less than certain lenses. On the other hand, I use the stuff all the time and get great results and can always sell it without much of a loss (or any loss) within a few days. So it goes.

[shelivesthedream]

Oh dear Lord above, I want these boots so much now: http://www.wolverine.com/UK/en-GB/Product.mvc.aspx/36427W/0/Womens/1000-Mile?dimensions=0

Does anyone know if this is a one-off collection or if they'll keep making them? I am buying one pair of expensive shoes (£200-ish) each winter until I have riding boots (tick, ages ago), Chelsea boots (tick, last winter), monk shoes (tick, this winter), loafers, brogues and lace up boots. I am looking after them really well (they all look as good as the day I bought them so far!) and having them re-heeled/soled as appropriate. When I have one of each that I want it'll be replacement only for the rest of my life.

So... do I need to accelerate my plan??

[cranilation]

shelivesthedream, the wolverine 1k mile boots aren't going anywhere.  Sometimes they make different versions of them (cap toe, wings, mocs, etc.) but the plain toe thousand mile will definitely be around in 5 years still.

[Metta]

Who the hell buys used shoes?

I know we're supposed to be frugal and all, but I draw the line here. Putting aside hygiene for a moment, what state are they in after someone else has gotten full use out of them?

You clearly do not have shoe-mad female friends. Some of the ones I know buy shoes fairly frequently and may wear them once or twice before they are relegated to the back of the closet and then, eventually, to Goodwill or consignment stores. They are in excellent shape. Almost new.

If they're on sale for $200 today, they'll be on sale for $200 again at some point in the future.  Wait until you've saved up enough, and then wait for the sale.  Win win!

My husband says this to me nearly every week, though my weakness is tech toys and software.

Me: "Look! The Makerbot is on sale for only $1200! It could be so useful! The sale is over tomorrow."
Him: "It will go on sale again."

[resy]

You've never seen boots for less than $400? Or $200 used? Really? I used to be a huge "shoe girl" pre mmm and let me tell you the most I ever paid for a pair was at nordstrooms for a littlr under $300 but most others were nice and in the $100-$150 range.
Of course now I wouldnt be caught dead paying so much for shoes (although boots are a good investment where I live) so I got rid of my impractical, fancy boots and now I have 2 pairs of cute, good quality boots that I actually use: one pair at $40 from jcpenney 2 years ago and one pair from goodwill for $20 (real leather).  Point is, you may limiting your options. I would advise to buy them at the $200 sale price onlyb f you have special requirements, like mybsister has wide feet and wide calves so she jumped at a pair that she found that fit as its hard for her to find but if that is not the case then dont pay so much for shoes.

[Kaspian]

Who the hell buys used shoes?

I know we're supposed to be frugal and all, but I draw the line here. Putting aside hygiene for a moment, what state are they in after someone else has gotten full use out of them?

You can add another to the list!  I go to the military surplus store and buy used combat boots.  They're pretty much all I've ever worn for the past 15 years.  Inexpensive, sturdy, don't get hot in the summer or cold in the winter, and you can walk a helluva long way in them and never get a blister.

[NoraLenderbee]

If I wanted something that cost $400, I would just buy it. Earmarking $25 per month toward such a purchase doesn't make much sense to me.
 

Some valid reasons for saving could be:
--They don't actually have enough money for it right now.
--They have the money, but they don't want to deplete their short-term savings.
--They want to practice the discipline of saving first, then buying with the cash, rather than buying first, then "catching up" with saving.

[FarmerPete]

I have size 16-17 feet, and I dream of the day that I can buy boots that don't suck.

[Raay]

I want a pair of $400 boots.

But why? Are you sure do you don't want something else (something that these boots will give you)? If so, can you get this something cheaper elsewhere? You should always make purchasing decisions based on the purpose of the (class of) item concerned rather than say "I want this particular item". This will allow you to give due consideration to available alternatives/replacements and optimize on all dimensions that matter to you, not just on the price tag.

[shelivesthedream]

I actually enjoy saving up for things. I find that it makes me research all available options and that planning big irregular spends (like expensive shoes) gives me as much joy as the actual purchase. You get all the happiness of looking forward to it AND the happiness of the boots at the end of it.

[resy]

Who the hell buys used shoes?

I know we're supposed to be frugal and all, but I draw the line here. Putting aside hygiene for a moment, what state are they in after someone else has gotten full use out of them?

Oooh, I do. I like to go to the consignment store in the pricy part of town, looking for very high quality stuff. Someone takes the high hit on the name brand, and then realizes they'd rather have flats than heels, or finds that the boots have been tucked away in a closet and they've bought another pair because they'd forgotten.

Yeah, I'll snag up their mistake.

yup. Those $20 boots I mentioned? NEW as in never before worn name brand boots. Obviously, you check out the shoes. I also clean them and put powder/spray in just in case before wearing them for the first time. Nevet in my life had I have a foot problem :)