A snob of a different stripe

I have a checking account of my own, into which my paycheck is direct-deposited. I usually transfer the bulk of my check--a nice round number--into one of our joint accounts. Over the past year or so, the few dollars left over after my transfers, plus my ebay and Amazon Marketplace earnings, had built up to around $700. I gave myself permission to go on a tear. I needed a new purse, after all.

I found myself oddly drawn to some real "status purses"--the Louis Vuitton signature print bags, and the similar offerings from Coach. This struck me as a little bizarre, as I haven't bought an obviously-branded item in several years. I decided it would be in my best interest to mull it over, and, wouldn't you know, I started seeing women carrying these purses everywhere.

My thoughts upon seeing the bags surprised me. In nearly all cases, the women carrying them looked like they probably couldn't truly afford them. Maybe the bag was in bad shape, or perhaps it was the rest of the outfit that gave that appearance. Other times, the bag was just too flashy for the rest of the outfit, but I suppose if you spend that much money on a bag, you're going to carry it no matter what. Rather than being impressed, I found myself thinking "I'll bet she put that on a credit card!" And suddenly I knew I didn't want anyone thinking that about me.

I suppose that means I've got a snobby streak, but at least it'll keep me out of debt.