How do you allocate your resources?

[Circe]

Let's say that there's a thing you want, and you're shopping happily for it when your already generous budget balloons into a reallyreallyreally generous budget compared to what you thought you'd have to work with. Do you spend it all to buy a much better version of the thing you had in mind? Or do you buy the original thing, and additional wonderful things with the extended budget? (These are the only two options! No putting it towards bigger and better things later, no socking it away on principle.) Keeping it hypothetical for now so as not to sway anyone!

 

[decodelighted]

I think it would really depend on where my collection stood at the time. If I was still missing a much desired basic piece I''d probably split forces. On the other hand, if the full new budget got me to a FINAL version of a particular piece that I''d one day want to plump up ANYWAY -- I''d go ahead & finish that out NOW.

Haven''t had this exact situation. Darn!

 

[MichelleCarmen]

It would depend upon the item.

Normally, I won't spend more than about $100 on a pair of shoes, so say someone handed me an additional $300 to add to that $100, I'd probably step up the amount to possibly $150 and then use the rest to buy a pair of jeans b/c I love designer jeans more than fancy shoes.

If it was a pair of earrings and someone gave me 3X my original budget, I'd *probably* buy a more extravagent version of the same pair. I want BIG BIG studs. . .doubt DH would ever provide a super generous budget, though. . .

(oh also depends upon the budget. If the original amount for the earrings is $1,000, I'd want to spend the 3X more = $4000 on larger earrings. If the original amount was $10,000, then I'd stick with that and use the other $30,000 on a new car. lol)

Okay, all day dreaming aside. . .gotta clean my kitchen

 

[lyra]

I think I''d go 2/3 of the new budget for the original project and 1/3 for an additional project. Or some fraction thereof. I always like the idea of getting more than one thing if that''s an option.

 

[Shoopy]

Ditto MC, depends on the item.

If I were going to buy $100 shoes as her ex, I''d use the extra money for clothes.

However, if I were going for a TV or camera, I''d use the extra money to get the next best version (like go from 42in to 50in or from a point and shoot to a DSLR).

If it were jewelry, it depends too. If it were an e-ring, I''d go for a bigger stone. If it were a RHR or pendant, I''d go for earrings.

 

[Gayletmom]

For me it would hinge on two questions: 1)how much more I like the second version over the original and 2) how many other things I have on my wish list.

As to #1, If the original is pretty fab and the second is just a slight improvement for a good bit more $ (as is sometimes the case, for example, with diamonds) then I would get the original and allocate the extra to another project. But, if the second version of the original is just to die for and something I''ve been dreaming of I would get it and enjoy!

The second question is, for me, the opportunity cost dilemma. How much are you drooling over other pretties?

In the final analysis, I''d have to say that it''s a pretty exciting problem to have!

 

[jewelerman]

Date: 12/3/2009 7:00:10 PM
Author:Circe
Let''s say that there''s a thing you want, and you''re shopping happily for it when your already generous budget balloons into a reallyreallyreally generous budget compared to what you thought you''d have to work with. Do you spend it all to buy a much better version of the thing you had in mind? Or do you buy the original thing, and additional wonderful things with the extended budget? (These are the only two options! No putting it towards bigger and better things later, no socking it away on principle.) Keeping it hypothetical for now so as not to sway anyone!

When i want something big I first research it to death...this gives me time to know that i really want the piece and have completely researched pricing and sources...next i save ,save ,save putting a percentage from each pay check away each pay day...i will forgo other luxeries to save for this item(example...Rolex watch and my 2.54 solitare gents ring)saved for 5 years for the Rollie and 5 for the diamond...but when all was done and said...I SAVED A HUGE AMONT OF MONEY and was able i get alot more then the ring and the watch.
example:After i found the Rolex and bought it ,there was enough in the Rolex account to buy a one carat princess cut diamond and go to Hawii on vacation(bought antique jade and a gold ring on that trip)
example two:Found a great diamond after 5 years of looking and saving...had enough left over to buy a new car and pay cash...also bought the new setting for the diamond and a new telivision.

 

[Circe]

Interesting, interesting, interesting! See, here''s what''s happened: initially, I was looking for a pear pendant with a budget of $1000. I figured I would go for size first and foremost, given that parameter, so I was looking at stones in the I, SI1 family around .60-.70 carats. Then my husband very generously quadrupled the budget.

After I recovered from my swoon (

), I automatically went for my Dream Pendant: a pear pendant of the sort they used to call blue-white, a colorless stone with strong blue fluorescence. And I found one! At 1.30 carats, it''s almost twice the size I was initially looking at! I reallyreally like the stone ... I think I''m just having a moment of choice paralysis, unwittingly induced by the husband when he marveled at the fact that I never hesitated on what I wanted, even though he knows I also have a list of DBTY, and studs, and and whole slew of other things, too. So, going person-by-person and point-by-point ....

Deco, your way of looking at this may be my sticking point! This is totally the Ultimate Pendant ....

MC, you are a logical lady! How do the specifics play with you? I''m thinking if we were talking 10X the budget (where do people get that jaw-droppy smiley?), then I''d do exactly what you''re saying. With this ... I''m wavering. You and Fiery are making distractingly good points!

Lyra - you''re a woman after my own heart! Hm, what could I do if I split things up like that ...

Gayletmom ... hm. While there are other things on my list, this is right at the top - nothing else feels really urgent, if you know what I mean. And, yes, you''re right! I feel really lucky/happy right now (the stone is literally burning a hole in my pocket - I tucked it in there so I can pull it out to get all lost in it every once in a while!)

Jewelerman - I want your shopping skills! You are an impressive scrimper and saver and finder of deals, and I say this as one bargain-shopper to another!

So ... end result ... I am still a little torn! I LOVE this stone, but I am having that moment of existential doubt that besets so many diamond-buyers - so much money for something so little! But pretty ....

Indecision, man. I tell you ....

 

[Kay]

I adore blue-white diamonds. I would take the larger dream pendant in a heart beat rather than the smaller pendant and another item.

I am not an upgrader -- my philosophy is "do it once, do it right." A 1.3 ct blue white pear pendant would give me a lot more enjoyment than 2 smaller, less "wow" items.

 

[Circe]

Date: 12/4/2009 12:43:40 PM
Author: Kay
I adore blue-white diamonds. I would take the larger dream pendant in a heart beat rather than the smaller pendant and another item.


I am not an upgrader -- my philosophy is ''do it once, do it right.'' A 1.3 ct blue white pear pendant would give me a lot more enjoyment than 2 smaller, less ''wow'' items.

Hm ... good point. I don''t think I''m an up-grader either (too sentimental), so ... between that and the fact that I''ve been carrying the stone in a translucent box in my pocket for two days out of affection, I think I''ll be keeping it! Now, to figure out how to set it ....

 

[Phoenix]

Ok, I can only share with you my own experience: I''ve bought several smaller less inexpensive items which I now regret and no longer wear. I can only either give them away or have the more sentimental pieces combined and / or reset into things I can actually wear and enjoy. So, if my budget were to quadruple, I''d def buy a larger more expensive item, as I know I''d be less likely to want to change it/ give it away.