“Louis Vuitton in Economy class. No matter how you look at it, your priorities are screwed up.”
– Goldman Sachs Elevator Gossip
Keep your priorities in check
A long time ago I read a great book called Class. While there’s a ton of interesting stuff in it, one thing that really stuck out to me was the fact that most “luxury” items aren’t actually for rich people. They are for middle class and poor people who want to pretend to be rich. Clothes with gaudy logos, “fancy” chain restaurants, and dozens of other frivolous items.
While most unnecessary purchases are easy to avoid if you have half a brain, there are a few well placed traps that can throw you off from time to time. These aren’t always as shallow or obvious as the stuff that would ensnare average people, but its out there. Watches, cars, and overpriced clothes have all been the downfall of many a young man. While there’s nothing wrong with rolling up in Ferrari or buying a Rolex, you’d better be sure that the rest of your life is in order.
What to consider before making an expensive purchase
Some time ago I did the math and realized that, by the end of the year, I was going to have enough in my savings account to possibly buy a CLA-Class without any payments. As a guy who loves Mercedes I was pretty excited. For about a week I went to sleep every night dreaming of my new car and all of the fun that I’d have in it. This car was all that was on my mind.
This was a great idea until I realized that there were a few problems. Even though I could buy the car, Internet business is fickle and that same money could support me for about a year if I really wanted. Secondly, my apartment and my car would be on two different continents. I’m sure I could ship it or something, but having that car in a developing country, even when you live in the nicest part, is asking for trouble. I wouldn’t be driving the car, but I’d still have to pay for the insurance and registration. Having an entry level Mercedes, which is a depreciating asset and will be worthless in 10 years, that you get to drive once or twice a year isn’t something that would be very financially smart.
Other issues with expensive purchases
There are a lot of people who will drop money on something superficial before they even master the fundamentals in their life. I went out in Minnesota one time and saw a fat guy rocking some expensive clothes and a gold chain. It would be safe to assume that he bought the outfit to attract girls, but it was like putting flame decals on a turd. His obesity nullified any potential that he had. I know dudes who are jacked that will go out in a generic T-shirt and get more girls than Fatty McGucci probably ever will.
Having nice stuff is like an end zone dance
There’s a theory that I’ve had for a long time. It basically goes like this: girls will like whatever you have only if they already like you. If you live at home, ride a Schwinn bicycle everywhere, and wear dad jeans, a girl who likes you will still find something to compliment you about. While manosphere and PUA guys love to try and sell, for $9.99, the idea that you can win any girl over by using their lame advice, things are a lot more binary. Either a girl likes you, but possibly doesn’t know it yet, or she isn’t attracted. No amount of silly hats, questions about the pet store, or Rolexes will ever solve that problem.
A friend of mine once told me that, when he was my age, the only thing he wanted was a Rolex. When he eventually bought one, after building a huge business empire, he said that it didn’t change anything. As a kid he’d imagined people would stop in the street and gawk at how successful he must be. As an adult, people knew him for his actions and character. The watch was inconsequential.
Buying stuff like shoes, watches, and cars is fun. I’ve got a couple of mid-range wrist pieces and a whole bunch of shoes. While it might boost my confidence, it doesn’t change anything. People know me for me. Having some accessories really doesn’t affect anything or make a huge impact.