Do you chase the bling?

[NW-Bound]

Which is totally cool but I guess what I have a problem with is this "air of superiority" we here project about what we spend our money on. Just the fact of this thread, 'bling=bad" when the reality is we all spend money on our own choice of "bling". Be it travel, guitars, vacation homes or bags. Why should Martha carry a 50k bag if she so desires, she most definitely can afford one.

So in reality if the definition of "bling" was extended, a whole lot of these no responses would have to change. One man's bling is another man's necessity.

I am thinking about the last statement. Most of us have a regular home, and I wonder if tiny home dwellers think of our homes as blings.

I think a bling must have at least the following attributes. First, it must be expensive and uncommon. Two, it must be visible, readily identified and associated with the owner or bearer.

I want to say that the owner of a bling would require the above attributes before buying it, but I cannot read people's mind to assert that about any random person. It may very well be that someone who buys a $50K handbag does so because she loves the beauty of the bag, even if she does not use it in the public or to take it to a ballroom. She might just keep it for private admiration and contemplation.

I have heard stories of billionaires who buy rare paintings for their own enjoyment, and at most share the viewing with their close friends over an after-meal drink and cigars. Are these collectibles bling?

I do not have excess money to acquire any such treasure, so I do not know if I would buy something like that if I were sufficiently rich. But if I would buy something as a collection item, I would not think of it as bling.

 

[Amethyst]

This answers my question (since no one answered it directly) about elective breast implants done strictly to enlarge the breasts (not the ones done to restore the woman's original appearance after mastectomy).

Think of the expense as being not just in money, but in physical risk.

I think a bling must have at least the following attributes. First, it must be expensive and uncommon. Two, it must be visible, readily identified and associated with the owner or bearer.

 

[Nemo2]

elective breast implants done strictly to enlarge the breasts

In many instances such procedures might be considered 'career enhancing' investments.

 

[bclover]

I am thinking about the last statement. Most of us have a regular home, and I wonder if tiny home dwellers think of our homes as blings.

I think a bling must have at least the following attributes. First, it must be expensive and uncommon. Two, it must be visible, readily identified and associated with the owner or bearer.

I want to say that the owner of a bling would require the above attributes before buying it, but I cannot read people's mind to assert that about any random person. It may very well be that someone who buys a $50K handbag does so because she loves the beauty of the bag, even if she does not use it in the public or to take it to a ballroom. She might just keep it for private admiration and contemplation.

I have heard stories of billionaires who buy rare paintings for their own enjoyment, and at most share the viewing with their close friends over an after-meal drink and cigars. Are these collectibles bling? Yep

I do not have excess money to acquire any such treasure, so I do not know if I would buy something like that if I were sufficiently rich. But if I would buy something as a collection item, I would not think of it as bling.

lol, I think they definitely do.

Case in point. My sister and her husband. 2 retired NYC cops (great pensions) a couple of NYC apartments bring in extra income. when they retired they purchased a 9,000 square foot home right outside of West Point in Upstate NY. they have no kids and also hate to travel. NW, you should see this back yard. it would put some hotel spa's to shame.

Here's the thing, they take so much flak from people. stuff like "why do they need all that space, no kids" and "I can't believe they took out a million dollar mortgage after retirement", on and on.

they love their house, it brings them way more joy than traveling done (brings me joy too, lol they host some serious parties). yet they get all kinds of criticism.

So I keep to my belief, everybody has some type of "bling" and just like many other areas, we've assigned "the right way" and "the wrong way".

A couple spends a million dollars on a round the world trip, they get kudos.
they are "worldly", "expanding their minds" etc etc.

A couple spends the exact same amount on luxury automobiles, lol they are "chasing bling"

but your right maybe the word "bling" which came out of the Hip hop/rap culture is supposed to mean a certain thing.
So maybe it's not that we are not chasing bling because we're wiser maybe it's simply a matter of we're older.

I can't imagine me sporting a dookie gold chain, or gold hoop earrings with my name in the middle.

 

[Amethyst]

Not in my line of work. Must be why I don't see many. I knew one woman who had a facelift, but the only reason I knew is that she went around telling everybody. You really couldn't see much difference.

Now, the one sanctioned big splurge amongst my peers has to be Daughter's Wedding.

In many instances such procedures might be considered 'career enhancing' investments.

 

[Nemo2]

Not in my line of work. Must be why I don't see many.

Strippers/showgirls, some 'actresses', would be trophy wives, etc....essential apparatus, (possibly claimable on tax returns).

 

[Amethyst]

Me, too. I felt like a queen in those beautiful work outfits, with a lovely lapel pin. Classy, not trendy. I miss that.

And while I don't give lots of gifts, I like to give the perfect gift for the particular person, and that sometimes means not fussing too much over cost.

There are certain things I like to splurge on, particularly things that make life easier while I'm working. I also spend a lot more on work clothes than I plan to spend when I retire, and I like to be able to give generous gifts and I like to splurge on vacations that I enjoy. I mostly don't want the cheapest hotel in town, but I don't need a resort in Tahiti either.

So I don't mind spending for things I enjoy, but luckily I don't enjoy designer labels or trendy things. I guess I fall somewhere in the middle.

 

[Amethyst]

But for anyone else, it is strictly bling. "Look at these!" The worst is when the male partner "pressures" the woman into getting the implants. I've read of several such cases. In a way, I think it could be considered bling for the MAN! "I must be special...look at how she sticks out in front!"

Strippers/showgirls, some 'actresses', would be trophy wives, etc....essential apparatus, (possibly claimable on tax returns).

 

[Danmar]

Which is totally cool but I guess what I have a problem with is this "air of superiority" we here project about what we spend our money on. Just the fact of this thread, 'bling=bad" when the reality is we all spend money on our own choice of "bling". Be it travel, guitars, vacation homes or bags. Why should Martha carry a 50k bag if she so desires, she most definitely can afford one.

So in reality if the definition of "bling" was extended, a whole lot of these no responses would have to change. One man's bling is another man's necessity.

Yes, agree. This is why these "spending" threads are not very interesting or useful. It always comes down to affordability and taste. Too personal to get much insight. My definition of "Bling" is being ostentatious, and being in bad taste. A good example (for me) is huge gold chains or rings.

 

[explanade]

If I'm not mistaken the word was defined by hip hop artists who were bragging about things they bought when they saw success.

As for a big home and backyard, if they're regularly entertaining, they are able to show off I guess. At least on House Hunters, the ability to have guests over on a big backyard deck or in an "open concept" floor plan which allows people to socialize while prepping food for their guests seem to be a big requirement for people choosing which homes to buy or rent.

 

[HFWR]

There's not much I own that could be considered ostentatious. I have several guitars, mostly lower/mid models bought used. Don't own or wear jewelry. Clothing mostly from Kohl's, with comfort being the prime consideration. Drive a Prius, live in a 1650sf "ranch", etc. In truth, my budget wouldn't support purchasing Euro sport/luxury cars, designer clothing, Swiss watches, etc. anyway, but I can't say I miss them.

Granted, I do/will spend extravagantly, for me, on some things, but those expenditures wouldn't necessarily be obvious to a casual observer.

Having said that, to each their own. It's not my money... But, given that many have no savings or investments, and are in debt past their eyeballs, it could be said that it does, or will, effect me indirectly, when said folks reach retirement age, and then complain of the unfairness of working for a lifetime, and of retiring with "nothing"...

 

[rodi]

As far as the breast implants = bling... I'd say yes. I live in SoCal and they're pretty common. At the beach they are easy to spot... when a person lies down to sunbathe - they defy gravity. The mom of one of my son's friends has 'em. She's worked a variety of jobs (blackjack dealer, cocktail waitress, sales rep) where they probably did enhance her earnings.

I'm still picturing Bestwifeever with a weber grill attached to her teeth - enhanced grill.

 

[kcowan]

A good example (for me) is huge gold chains or rings.

They are essential for Corvette-loving middle aged men.

 

[aja8888]

But for anyone else, it is strictly bling. "Look at these!" The worst is when the male partner "pressures" the woman into getting the implants. I've read of several such cases. In a way, I think it could be considered bling for the MAN! "I must be special...look at how she sticks out in front!"

My California based SIL in Santa Clara has them and wears them proudly. She calls them "The Twins". Her second (or third?) husband paid for them along with a full face/neck/eye lift and other stuff. For a woman in her 60's, she certainly has the "bling".

 

[Accidental Retiree]

But for anyone else, it is strictly bling. "Look at these!" The worst is when the male partner "pressures" the woman into getting the implants. I've read of several such cases. In a way, I think it could be considered bling for the MAN!"

My reply to any man who would ask such a thing of me would be, "You first."

Once he's been surgically enlarged, then we'll talk.


Sent from my iPad using Early Retirement Forum

 

[FUEGO]

In many instances such procedures might be considered 'career enhancing' investments.

Definitely more than just something one can look at.

 

[FreeBear]

We got seriously into wildlife photography a few years back. Bought some big telephoto gear, similar to what you see on the sidelines of pro sporting events.

We were surprised how many young to middle aged males would walk up to me and ask "how much was that lens". Always guys asking the question... Even more amusing, DW carried similar gear, but never asked. I was never comfortable with these queries, but was amusing to come up with smart-*ss answers.

So, anyone else asked "how much does your (bling) cost?" Maybe, this is the whole point of bling...

 

[haha]

Travel (especially international) creates a deeper understanding and appreciation of the richness and diversity of the world we live in, and this is something you really can't get without seeing the world up close and in person.

Well let's see, today's peripatetic traveler, vs. William Faulkner who rarely left Oxford Mississippi. Who is likely to have better understanding of life?

Gosh, must be the guy with a filled up passport.

Ha

 

[aja8888]

Well let's see, today's peripatetic traveler, vs. William Faulkner who rarely left Oxford Mississippi. Who is likely to have better understanding of life?

Gosh, must be the guy with a filled up passport.

Ha

That could be the new Bling...filled up passports.

 

[LitGal]

+1

Well said. I imagine that Bling and FIRE are not absolutely mutually exclusive but must be pretty close. Most folks that I know who get into the keeping up with the Jones's mode are never able to voluntarily turn it off.

+1

TIME is my "bling." Freedom to read my book, under a tree in a light summer breeze. To stay up late, enjoying a bottle of wine with a friend. Freedom to sleep in............or REALLY--and enjoyably--- get ready for a holiday (without cramming everything around a work schedule)........... or babysit the new granddaughter to give her mom and dad a break.

These just begin the list of daily treats available when one doesn't have to show up anywhere, 9-5.

Would I trade these for any "thing"? No way. It just took me three years to purge my house, sell it, and downsize to this lovely condo.......where I only have to deal with "inside maintenance." So when I can watch the moon from my deck, clouds wafting along in the blue/black sky, that's all I have to think about. (Not, "when will I have to mow this grass" or "when will this siding need a power wash?" or "how am I going to pay the c. card bill after that last shopping spree?")

After getting rid of 40+ years' worth of "stuff" (and DH and I were never hoarders or big shoppers), I don't want to have to go through that again for a long time. So shopping malls hold NO temptation!

But TRAVEL?!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now, next to freedom and time, that would be a favorite "bling" to drain away my accounts. And travel I do...........and don't look back on the cost (partly because I'm a Rick Steves/Former Frommer fan).

So, what others may spend on cars, jewelry, technology, fancy handbags, or clothes is money I send instead to airlines, Globus, airbnb, HomeAway, hotels, gas stations, and car rental agencies.

It's nice to help other parts of the world economy! (An excuse?)

No, ER is simply a golden opportunity to make one's life into the "bling" one chooses!

 

[athena53]

That could be the new Bling...filled up passports.

When I was traveling a lot for both work and vacation (company offices in UK, Switzerland and India) I had to have extra pages put into mine. Yes, I DID consider it the height of cool!

 

[Bestwifeever]

I admit I love my Tokyo stamp in my passport but unlike my Weber teeth grill and my ginormous breast implants, I don't show it to anyone so I don't count it as bling.

 

[aja8888]

I admit I love my Tokyo stamp in my passport but unlike my Weber teeth grill and my ginormous breast implants, I don't show it to anyone so I don't count it as bling.

My favorite passport stamp is from Trinidad where I spent many months obtaining approvals for the construction of a 2,500 MT anhydrous ammonia plant. I don't show it off though as it's in an expired passport.

I am ashamed of my Cheepo Weber grill (maybe I can trade it in?) but always boast about my implanted titanium hip joint and steel plates and screws in my left arm. The TSA guys and gals are always impressed when they scan my body.

One out of three is not bad, I guess.

 

[NW-Bound]

Well let's see, today's peripatetic traveler, vs. William Faulkner who rarely left Oxford Mississippi. Who is likely to have better understanding of life?

Gosh, must be the guy with a filled up passport.

Ha

Travel only gives me a superficial understanding of foreign culture and history. Deeper knowledge requires much reading. I read mostly non-fiction works, and do this more than anybody I know. But to make something come alive, it is easier to be there in person. Perhaps it provides stimulation so one reads about it more (not true with many travelers I know).

My latest passport is so sparsely filled in, ever since I do more RV'ing the last 5 years. I don't recall if they even bothered to stamp my passport at the Canadian border. So, I am now really passport-bling poor.

 

[LitGal]

My dad wore a Timex and spent little on clothes, but people didn't talk down to him. They were impressed with the way he carried himself and spoke, and by his general competence. After retiring from his construction job, he got a job as night manager at a rich-[-]widow's[/-]-people's condo and was treated with respect by the residents. I visited him in his workplace and saw it for myself.

While I may love jewelry - and I really do - I don't kid myself that it somehow makes up for anything I lack as a person. I do not get respect because I wear a 2-carat diamond or an unusual necklace. To the extent I get respect (or disrespect for that matter), it is because of how I move through the world.

Genuine Respect.