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Home » A Little Bit of Travel Math

A Little Bit of Travel Math

June 13, 2014
So this morning when I woke up (late…) I decided, for no apparent reason, to check prices on plane tickets to Paris… (my next trip, in September, is already booked, but I like to see what’s available!)Then, just for the sake of comparison, I looked for one amazing personal style purchase that cost almost exactly the same amount:

Anya Hindmarch bag

This is a bag that would last the rest of your life, even if you’re a newborn infant…

But Paris… sigh…
These are the kinds of decisions that define our lives.
Love,
Janice
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06.13.14 12 Comments

Tags: books, economy
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Comments

  1. LauraH says

    June 13, 2014 at 12:31 pm

    Although the bag might last the rest of your life, as life changes you'll likely find yourself needing something different so where's the 'investment' then? I'll go for a (much) more reasonably priced bag and take those tickets!

    Reply
  2. hostess of the humble bungalow says

    June 13, 2014 at 3:59 pm

    Ah Paris trumps a handbag!
    Congratulations to Madame La Bas…I really enjoy reading her blog too.

    Reply
  3. Lo says

    June 13, 2014 at 5:13 pm

    Paris trumps the bag for me, too. I've always been more about experiences than things.

    Reply
  4. ladylighttravel.com says

    June 13, 2014 at 5:57 pm

    No contest for me – plane tickets!

    Reply
  5. Amy says

    June 13, 2014 at 7:27 pm

    Although I understand @Eileen's rationale above, I'm all about spending money on experiences. I'm all over the trip to Paris. In fact, I might actually be going there in August/Sept. Haven't decided yet.

    Reply
  6. Eileen says

    June 13, 2014 at 3:05 pm

    I purchased a second hand botttega veneta several years ago. So not Paris but certainly a ticket cross country. I find real joy in the daily use of something so beautiful and functional. The quality of the leather and weaving. How it keeps getting smooshier with daily wear. How I can look forward to carrying it for years to come. So I don't think of it just in terms of tickets vs bag but rather a concentrated sort term dose of happiness vs a lower dose longer acting injection of happiness into my daily life. One isn't better or worse than the other.

    Reply
    • Janice Riggs says

      June 13, 2014 at 3:55 pm

      A perfect explanation of the choices we face – neither are better or worse, they're just different, and sometimes difficult.

      Reply
  7. frugalscholar says

    June 14, 2014 at 6:29 am

    Even within a choice like the one you pose, there are other possibilities. While airfare to Paris may be a given, one's accommodations are not. Ditto for food. If you downgrade your hotel or rent a small apt and eat, say, half your meals in the apt or in a park, you can have both the trip and the bag.

    Written from Paris, by the way. We passed by your beautiful hotel and I thought of your wonderful anniversary trip.

    Reply
  8. Eleanorjane says

    June 14, 2014 at 9:42 am

    Experiences over stuff (most of the time – I make an exception for very occasional pieces of jewellery). Also, to me that bag looks booooring! I like to be able to change my wardrobe and accessories every so often, not be stuck with the same (excellent quality) thing forever.

    Reply
    • Lisbet says

      August 21, 2014 at 9:41 am

      I wholeheartedly agree. Life over possessions. I love things BUT not so out of my financial reach that I would have to forego experiences. The hand bag may be of exquisite quality but… Even worse, though, is to fritter a bunch of money on a bunch of insignificant items that end up cluttering our lives.

      Reply
  9. Linda says

    June 14, 2014 at 11:03 am

    I always look at choices with this same perspective Janice. Every 'yes' is a 'no' to many other options. I try to choose the 'yes' and follow it joyfully and without regret. Sometimes it is the experience (today my husband and I will spend the day in the city – Chicago – holding hands, eating, relishing in each other and the day) other times it's a purchase or giving to someone in need. Choices make us who we are and reflect us.

    Reply
  10. suzie wong says

    June 14, 2014 at 4:04 pm

    Hmm. Bag/Paris, Bag/Paris? Paris/Paris!! No competition, I will make do with un sac plastique rather than not go to Paris.

    Reply

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The Vivienne Files is a unique personal style blog with carefully-selected capsule wardrobes based on color palettes drawn from works of art, nature, and more. It helps women buy less clothing, and to love what they buy. Read more...
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