Saturday, December 18, 2010

What do you not invest in?

I have to admit, I'm a bit of a miser. I find it hard to invest money in things (this from the person who openly weeps at Marc Jacobs items). I hem and haw a lot. Of course, there is the occasional splurge, but I would rather buy things on sale and/or thrifted. I generally prefer thrifted because, well, you're helping the environment, for one! Two, it's much better on the wallet. Third, you always find the kookiest, most unique things, and stuff that was in store a short while ago that somebody already got tired of. It's a win-win!

Of course, nothing compares to the thrill of going into the store and trying things on in a mirror. A real one, not a car's side mirror. I've grown very fond of Zara's and Old Navy's super sales. Very fond. But I digress. There are things, as my mother has said repeatedly, that you should invest in. Real estate, jewelry, and classic pieces. My mother was the one who urged me to get a good black, bag. And then, you know, I went and got a Marc Jacobs bag. I got it off eBay for around $200, and its cost per wear is already down to pennies.

One thing that I am really stubborn about spending money on is glasses. More exactly, glass frames. I try to thrift them or buy a nice quality, but on sale, set of frames. I bought a pair of Gucci frames at the Salvation Army for a dollar. I had them outfitted with my prescription for only $55 and there you go. $56 dollars for a pair of good quality frames! My first ever pair is Cynthia Rowley and I got them at a JCPenney sale, with prescription, for $87 dollars.

My big regret is investing in a pair of big-name frames. Over $200 were spent on those frames and they barely lasted a week. I had to go several times in for repairs, but in the end, I just gave up and quit wearing them.

Another reason that I don't want to invest in glasses (or sunglasses) is that I utterly destroy them. You name it, it's probably happened to my glasses/sunglasses. Fallen out of cars, eaten by dogs, slammed with books, sat on, thrown, etc. That's why I either thrift or buy on sale.

However, a new option is on the horizon. Some time ago, somebody mentioned on a fashion community ZenniOptical.com. I've visited a couple of times, and every time I see a pair of frames that I want to buy! Best of all, there are frames starting at $6.95, so...you can go crazy and get a couple, if that's your style. For someone like me, who doesn't like investing a lot of money in a frame, this is a good idea. However, I cannot attest for quality. Everyone I've spoken to says they're very good but I've yet to try some myself. Everytime I plan on ordering, I kind of chicken out. I may or may not wait until my next appointment and have them done with the new prescription. Or I could just go ahead, live dangerously, and get them now!

What do you not invest in? Why? I want to know!

(Please note that I am talking about frames, not the quality of the lenses. Never play around with your health, kids!)

This post has not been sponsored by Zenni Optical.

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