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Jewelry Jail

My jewelry budget is $200 a month, plus extra on big occasions like birthday, Christmas and anniversary, usually $500 if I don't get much else. Plus, I get any money from my little side gig and whatever I get from selling any of my jewelry that I no longer wear.

I keep track of it and if I accidentally go over budget a teensy bit, then I am in jewelry jail, according to that other person who lives here. Which means nothing except that the shameful numbers sit there until I work my way out of "debt." Or get further in. Being in jewelry jail on charges of $4,370 isn't bad, right? I mean, it is still in small claims court territory and far below felony level.

How about you? Spill it! :lol-2:
 
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I have a jailer, very dedicated.
My house is sentient and every time I get up the scratch for a bauble she laughs and says, 'Hear that?' *questionable house sounds* 'That sounds expensive'. She's getting a new septic (probably find out this week) and then it's new paint and or siding soon after.
She's a greedy old girl, that one.
 
::Remembering the time I woke up to ripped couch cushions and had to take all nine animals to the vet for emergency x-rays, and all of them were perfectly fine, and I was simultaneously relieved and itching to shove some stuffing down their miserable little throats myself::
 
I never budget or plan.
If I see something I want, and if funds are available, I just buy it.

Works for me.
 
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I have what I call my Sparkly Fund (SF).

Its a completely separate bucket than my other pots 'o money. Its my "fun" money, used for anything enjoyable but not "necessary."

Of course I do all the responsible stuff, like save for retirement and emergencies, give to charities I believe in, etc. But I also recognize that life is meant to be enjoyed and some things, both material (like jewelry and art) and experiential (travel, wine, etc), make life rich.

Sometimes I need to hold myself back from spending too much on the fun stuff, but other times I need "permission" (from myself) or even just a reminder, to get out there and enjoy life.

So my Sparkly Fund regulates me -- it reminds me I can and should spend money on fun...but just not too much money.

I don't have a set amount I put in each month. I put in "extra", after everything else is paid (including putting money into responsible savings.) Some months I add $50, other months its $200, others its $10K.

I find having a SF also prompts me to work harder/smarter than I otherwise would because I WANT bling! It makes me actually put more money in my responsible savings buckets because I know I have to fill those first before I add to my SF.

The SF also makes me not impulse buy because I know how much work I've spent growing the money in it. It keeps me focussed on my forever jewelry wish list, because only those pieces are worth it to cash out the SF and have to start back at $0.

I've been loudly criticized before on PriceScope for "saving" for bling. People have said "If you have to save for it, you shouldn't be buying it." I thoroughly disagree, (and find it amusing they think they know what is in another person's bank account).

Saving for something does NOT mean you can't afford it. It simply means you are putting the item in perspective relative to the other things you are doing in your life. I'd rather give my money to the charitable causes I believe in, as well as save it for future generations of my family, than wear it around my wrist/neck/ears. That is the mindset I was raised in. Having a Sparkly Fund helps steer me away from momentary temptation (the next pretty thing on Instagram) so that I use my money in line with my core values, while still having a little fun.
 
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RunningwithScissors said:
I have what I call my Sparkly Fund (SF).

Its a completely separate bucket than my other pots 'o money. Its my "fun" money, used for anything enjoyable but not "necessary."

Of course I do all the responsible stuff, like save for retirement and emergencies, give to charities I believe in, etc etc. But I also recognize that life is meant to be enjoyed and some things, both material (like jewelry and art) and experiential (travel, wine, etc), make life rich.

Sometimes I need to hold myself back from spending too much on the fun stuff, but other times I need "permission" (from myself) or even just a reminder, to get out there and enjoy life.

So my Sparkly Fund regulates me -- it reminds me I can and should spend money on fun...but just not too much money.

I don't have a set amount I put in each month. I put in "extra", after everything else is paid (including putting money into responsible savings.)

I find having a SF also prompts me to work harder/smarter than I otherwise would because I WANT bling! It makes me actually put more money in my responsible savings buckets because I know I have to fill those first before I add to my SF. Some months I add $0, other months its $200, others its $10K.

The SF also makes me not impulse buy because I know how much work I've spent growing the money in it. It keeps me focussed on my forever jewelry wish list, because only those pieces are worth it to cash out the SF and have to start back at $0.

I've been loudly criticized before on PriceScope for "saving" for bling. People have said "If you have to save for it, you shouldn't be buying it." I thoroughly disagree, (and find it amusing they think they know what is in another person's bank account).

Saving for something does NOT mean you can't afford it. It simply means you are putting the item in perspective relative to the other things you are doing in your life. I'd rather give my money to the causes I believe in, as well as save it for future generations of my family, than wear it around my wrist/neck/ears. That is the mindset I was raised in. Having a Sparkly Fund helps steer me away from momentary temptation (the next pretty thing on Instagram) so that I use my money in line with my core values.
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I don’t understand the logic of whoever criticized you for saving for jewelry. Isn’t that the responsible thing to do? Having separate savings for different things is how I operate too.

With that being said I once mentioned that I ask my husband for his permission on larger purchases and someone made (what I took as) a snide comment about it. But that’s what works for me and I’m the one who wants to keep it this way. I’m too much of an impulse shopper. Plus when I want something putting it on a wish list for x days/ weeks/ whatever doesn’t work for me. I tend to get fixated on things until I can own them for a bit.
 
RunningwithScissors said:
I've been loudly criticized before on PriceScope for "saving" for bling. People have said "If you have to save for it, you shouldn't be buying it." I thoroughly disagree, (and find it amusing they think they know what is in another person's bank account).
Click to expand...

I hope not! I have criticized many a financial decision on this forum but not this one. Budgeting and saving for a luxury item seems like the right way to do it. Yes, the money "could be better spent" in some other way -- but so could almost every penny that comes in except for those that go to (cheap) groceries, rent, and utilities.

We don't save for bling, per se, but we save for "needs" (new roof, replacement car, college) and "wants" in a decent-sized (metaphorical) bucket. When the stock market tanks and our paper losses dwarf any bling purchase, we are less likely to make a purchase even though the "bucket" still permits.
 
This is/was a jokey thread obviously, but I agree with y'all 100%.

My husband and I are older, agree on how we handle our money and have our finances in order. But in earlier years, I wouldn't have even had a jewelry budget, let alone be able to spend months in advance on it if I saw something I wanted.

I agree RunningWithScissors that how you allocate your money is not nearly the same as how much money you have.

And I agree with winnietucker that if a couple is happy with how they handle their finances between themselves, it's weird for others to argue with that too.

Also with LilAlex about "needs" vs. "wants."

I think we all come from different places, with different perspectives and it's hard for some people to see beyond wherever they are at the time. Heck, I remember when the "advance on my jewelry allowance" mentioned above was more than we paid in rent for a year. And I used to bristle at the thought of a man telling me what to do too, as someone apparently did to Winnie. But meh, I've been married a long time now and we both tell each other what to do constantly lol.
 
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I try hard to automate my finances. Retirement contributions are made from my paycheck. Kids 529s are funded automatically. Extra investment contributions are made automatically as well. Emergency fund sits (hopefully) untapped. Essentially, our expenses and our adult obligations are paid automatically as much as possible.

I have a separate checking account that I've had for years. My first "grown up" mortgage required an account at that bank (it was a special mortgage loan - this is against the rules of your typical conforming mortgages). That mortgage is long-since refinanced but I still have the account. I deposit a small amount of each paycheck into that account as well. When I get a big reimbursement check (for travel expenses, CME, kids dependent care or my healthcare FSA) I look at things and decide whether it needs to go into the regular checking account or whether it can go into my fun account. I don't feel the need to spend my fun account down to 0, but I'd be willing to do so for the right piece of jewelry! (Husband knows about this account, it's no secret)
 
Between daycare, private schools and college for the kids, I was in no-jewelry lockdown for 25 years. :eek-2:

Been thoroughly making the most of my freedom the past 10 years but with retirement coming, I will soon headed to jewelry jail....unless I sell some stuff for bail. :bigsmile:
 
ItsMainelyYou said:
I have a jailer, very dedicated.
My house is sentient and every time I get up the scratch for a bauble she laughs and says, 'Hear that?' *questionable house sounds* 'That sounds expensive'. She's getting a new septic (probably find out this week) and then it's new paint and or siding soon after.
She's a greedy old girl, that one.
Click to expand...

your house has a sister down under :(2
 
RunningwithScissors said:
I have what I call my Sparkly Fund (SF).

Its a completely separate bucket than my other pots 'o money. Its my "fun" money, used for anything enjoyable but not "necessary."

Of course I do all the responsible stuff, like save for retirement and emergencies, give to charities I believe in, etc. But I also recognize that life is meant to be enjoyed and some things, both material (like jewelry and art) and experiential (travel, wine, etc), make life rich.

Sometimes I need to hold myself back from spending too much on the fun stuff, but other times I need "permission" (from myself) or even just a reminder, to get out there and enjoy life.

So my Sparkly Fund regulates me -- it reminds me I can and should spend money on fun...but just not too much money.

I don't have a set amount I put in each month. I put in "extra", after everything else is paid (including putting money into responsible savings.) Some months I add $50, other months its $200, others its $10K.

I find having a SF also prompts me to work harder/smarter than I otherwise would because I WANT bling! It makes me actually put more money in my responsible savings buckets because I know I have to fill those first before I add to my SF.

The SF also makes me not impulse buy because I know how much work I've spent growing the money in it. It keeps me focussed on my forever jewelry wish list, because only those pieces are worth it to cash out the SF and have to start back at $0.

I've been loudly criticized before on PriceScope for "saving" for bling. People have said "If you have to save for it, you shouldn't be buying it." I thoroughly disagree, (and find it amusing they think they know what is in another person's bank account).

Saving for something does NOT mean you can't afford it. It simply means you are putting the item in perspective relative to the other things you are doing in your life. I'd rather give my money to the charitable causes I believe in, as well as save it for future generations of my family, than wear it around my wrist/neck/ears. That is the mindset I was raised in. Having a Sparkly Fund helps steer me away from momentary temptation (the next pretty thing on Instagram) so that I use my money in line with my core values, while still having a little fun.
Click to expand...

Who said that BS ?
Give me those scissors for a moment ?
 
I like RWS’s SF system. I wish I could be as organized. I’m a bit like Kenny and if I see some thing and love it and can afford it then I take the plunge. I also do sell items on eBay Poshmark etc. and then I have a side gig with my job and I funnel that into bling purchases. It’s not as organized as the Sparkly Fund though!
 
Buying jewellery is my version of savings. So I feel no guilt about what I buy. It’s better than sticking it in the stock market in my experience!
 
I love this question.

In my house we have a shared account, and each have separate fun money accounts. $400 a month goes in. The fun money is for spending on “stupid stuff” that each other doesn’t see as necessary or needed ;)

Solved so many problems!!
 
LilAlex said:
I hope not! I have criticized many a financial decision on this forum but not this one. Budgeting and saving for a luxury item seems like the right way to do it. Yes, the money "could be better spent" in some other way -- but so could almost every penny that comes in except for those that go to (cheap) groceries, rent, and utilities.

We don't save for bling, per se, but we save for "needs" (new roof, replacement car, college) and "wants" in a decent-sized (metaphorical) bucket. When the stock market tanks and our paper losses dwarf any bling purchase, we are less likely to make a purchase even though the "bucket" still permits.
Click to expand...

Don't worry, it wasn't you. ;-) I haven't read all your posts, but from what I've seen, you and I basically think alike re/finances.

(But don't buy overly cheap groceries now! :naughty: As my grandmother used to say "You either pay the farmer/grocer or you pay the doctor.")
 
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I’m in a similar boat to @RunningwithScissors . But first let me take a second to say WHAT THE HELL to anyone who would criticize your saving method. Or spending method. Or anything remotely related to how you allocate funds. Talk about something that is none of someone else’s business! Wow. I’m sorry that happened to you.

Anyway, most of my jewelry purchases are deliberately planned out, far in advance. They tend to be to celebrate occasions—sometimes anniversaries or birthdays (or a combo if a large gift), or a personal achievement. I love to open my jewelry box and see meaning. To see years and markers of things.

So we set aside pools of cash as we decide on those gifts. Which means I can seem a bit off my rocker as they are actually purchased, as the purchase times may not line up with the occasion times. Recently I bought a LOT (for me) of beautiful pieces at once, because I was near stores I am normally not near. One was a Cartier JUC to celebrate a personal achievement that happened in 2020. That $ had been set aside since then. Another piece purchased on the same trip will be an anniversary present. And another will be a birthday gift.

So that’s how I do it. With the occasional splurge when I see something preloved I can’t pass up (I won’t lie), but only if tuition is paid and other saving is done and there is $ left over.
 
We each have a category called "Personal Money" in our budget. Bling would fall into this category. So would perfume. Craft/hobby supplies beyond what we budget for would also fall into this.

All of our "occasion gifts" -- birthday, Christmas, etc. --also fall into this category, since we stopped buying presents for each other years ago, to avoid wasteful spending on things neither of us really wants anyway. We like this system. It enables us to spend a little here and there or save up to buy something large.

It is not a lot of money, now that we are both retired. That doesn't bother me as I have so many nice things that I bought over the years to continue to enjoy or, if I am bored with them, to refashion into something else. Knowing how to knot and wire wrap helps me there. I was just looking at my metallic white FWP necklace and thinking about how to redo it into a longer necklace, maybe with my rhodochrosite beads, as I don't seem to be wearing that necklace either. :think:
 
sanity money = small bling purcheses

until Gary gets his eye fixed and he can be more independent (and when the pandemic is over) im only working part time
and i had to go back to work because it was getting too hard to pay the rates (property taxes)
and even though i only work part time i work really hard and we dont get breaks and although i enjoy the walk its an hour's walk twice a day in all wheather because i refuse to waste time and money and expose myself to covid risk by taking buses when i can spend that bit of cash on some fun things from Wen pearls or what ever

i know when i go back to full time employment we will need to do the bathroom and kitchen and implement some serouse indoor outdoor floor, i need a new washing machine and a new oven and my cell phone is geriatric but right now if i didn't have my wee sparkly/ pearly purchases to look at and think i earned that and all my aches and pains arnt just for the city council it would be just too depressing and id never get out of bed !!

edit
and just getting back to what that no-brainer said to @RunningwithScissors
if i didn't save for things id have nothing
that is seriously the most stupid thing i have ever read
so someone on a more modest pay check isnt allowed anything nice because they cant just go and buy it on pay day ?
what world is that person living in?
in fact it goes aganist everything most financial planners / mums & dads try to install in us
you put your spair pennies away in the piggy bank from when a lot of us are tiny children (actually im still traumatized from when the bank teller sliced him open with a big sharp knife)
we also all had the old post office savings accounts that was done once a week at school
(in fact Gary's main account is still the origional account number of his first bank account through that discontinued scheme from primary school)
at intermediate school i vaguely remember we learnt budgeting with a semi fun thing once a week where you allocated and spent wages and savings on paper and took out hire purchases etc (it was a long time ago)

anyway its important to spend at least a little of that saved money, to realize some of those financial goals ...other wise it feels like hard work for nothing
 
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wow !
a double post ?
how did that happen ?
i must be really mad at that person !
i cant even think who it could be ?
(and as much as i want to hit them over the head with a half full plastic piggy bank id rather not know who said that - although i do wonder what kind of children they are bringing up with attitudes like that)
almost all PSers i have interacted with are kind and considerate
 
I usually spend about 500 USD a month paying towards CSs that I have commissioned with Jeff W.

From time to time I would have something made to cheer myself up.

I don't feel bad about over-spending as long as I can afford it, and it is my own hard-earned money.

Not spending much until I know how much the air con repair is going to cost me next Monday, in case I have to replace the whole system.

Work is a b1tch being very busy and demanding, so I shall definitely have some blings made to cheer me up as soon as I can with all the extra hours I have worked.

DK =)2
 
dk168 said:
I usually spend about 500 USD a month paying towards CSs that I have commissioned with Jeff W.

From time to time I would have something made to cheer myself up.

I don't feel bad about over-spending as long as I can afford it, and it is my own hard-earned money.

Not spending much until I know how much the air con repair is going to cost me next Monday, in case I have to replace the whole system.

Work is a b1tch being very busy and demanding, so I shall definitely have some blings made to cheer me up as soon as I can with all the extra hours I have worked.

DK =)2
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now that we have aircon i couldn't now get through the summer without it
good luck for a reasonable bill

if i work extra at work i like to send that $$$ on bling too - something to show for it
 
I’m an escaped inmate!
I buy stuff Willy Nilly and declare to DH, with best intentions, ”I’ll sell the other ring/bangle/watch/earrings ok?”.
Hmm, this is why I have like 60 rings, 50 watches, 35 bangles, 35 bracelets, 50 pairs of earrings and multiple chains and pendants.
Unlike alot of spending vices, mine still has resale value.
 
Daisys and Diamonds said:
now that we have aircon i couldn't now get through the summer without it
good luck for a reasonable bill

if i work extra at work i like to send that $$$ on bling too - something to show for it
Click to expand...

Thanks!

Blings and food keep me happy for certain.

DK :))
 
winnietucker said:
I don’t understand the logic of whoever criticized you for saving for jewelry. Isn’t that the responsible thing to do? Having separate savings for different things is how I operate too.

With that being said I once mentioned that I ask my husband for his permission on larger purchases and someone made (what I took as) a snide comment about it. But that’s what works for me and I’m the one who wants to keep it this way. I’m too much of an impulse shopper. Plus when I want something putting it on a wish list for x days/ weeks/ whatever doesn’t work for me. I tend to get fixated on things until I can own them for a bit.
Click to expand...

I ask my husband about large purchases and he does the same with me. His yard equipment spending has by far surpassed my jewelry budget the last 2 years and kicked my car out of the garage! Lol. Seriously though, I think it’s respectful to make large financial decisions together. And since both of us have a hard time spending money on ourselves, we don’t have a budget per se, we just buy things as the need/occasion arises.
 
Bron357 said:
I’m an escaped inmate!
I buy stuff Willy Nilly and declare to DH, with best intentions, ”I’ll sell the other ring/bangle/watch/earrings ok?”.
Hmm, this is why I have like 60 rings, 50 watches, 35 bangles, 35 bracelets, 50 pairs of earrings and multiple chains and pendants.
Unlike alot of spending vices, mine still has resale value.
Click to expand...

Bwhahahahaha! I love the “escaped inmate” description. Perfect.
 
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