closely related, just a few days ago I got a quote for a pair of boots that after taxes and duty would have worked out to about $12,000 and an 8-month wait not

closely related, just a few days ago I got a quote for a pair of boots that after taxes and duty would have worked out to about $12,000 and an 8-month wait not including travel costs to be there for a fitting. I'm passing on them for every conceivable reason, but it raised the question of why buy them at all. tbh, I didn't know how much they cost, and I just like them because the maker has figured in stories I've liked for years and there's a kind of actualization to making them part of mine. nobody would ever know as there's no brand or way to tell, it was a personal interest. however, the "economics" of those boots or a handbag are closer to poor-coded aftermarket car accessories, in that they're more of an indicator of economic conditions. You've made good money but it's not life circumstance changing money. It's not actually wasted or surplus, it's just not enough to change anything, so you spend it. whether it's at Hermés or spinny chrome rims, the underlying belief is that below a certain capital threshold signalling is a better strategic bet than marginal savings. it's a bet against future purchasing power of cash, but also a bet on personal growth. And that's how you talk yourself into buying stuff like that.