Ep. 314 | Luxury Items

Questions answered in this episode:

00:00 How do you define “luxury item”?

06:04 How do we differentiate between luxury, elegance, and trendy?

11:09 As my fiance and I are creating our wedding registry, how do we ensure we don’t fall into the trap of exploiting the kindness of others for luxury items that will just fill the areas we just decluttered?

13:23 What is “expensive pain”?

15:44 What is an “alternative registry”?

17:07 Is crowdsourcing a reasonable way to fund a honeymoon?

20:29 Why do some pursue luxury instead of living within their means?

29:16 Listener comments and minimalism tips.

36:02 What is “low-grade misery”?

36:49 What is the ultimate luxury?

#TheMinimalists

[kraykray]

Good shout Steve "Don't get rid of the things that you know brings you joy"

[janemorrison]

Years ago, I read an article in (I think it was) Vogue magazine on luxury. Various people described luxury items. One I recall was homemade vanilla ice cream with flecks of vanilla bean drizzled with aged balsamic vinegar. The vinegar was about 50 years old and cost $200. At that stage it had turned sweet. But one woman said the greatest luxuries are sleep and hot water. Yes!

[iteachmy]

For my in-laws' 25th anniversary, we threw them a SURPRISE wedding since they never had one originally. People wanted to buy gifts which I knew they didn't want so here's what we did...one guy played drums for them, one danced for them, one sang to them, one wrote a poem, one supplied the flowers, one bought the bride/groom glasses for the head table, one was the photographer, one paid for developing the film, another made the cake, etc. until all but the food was paid for.

[janineanderson]

We got married 13 years ago and asked people to donate to a charity. My husband and I combining households already had two of everything and did not need any more. It was very fun picking out the charities and looking back I am so glad our marriage could bring more joy and peace into the world through donating.

[sylmanyeki]

My husband is from Kenya. In the culture (back in the day), the bride and groom’s family would get the essentials for their new apartment, so all the newlyweds had to do was move in

[mynameisYEMAN]

The intro jingle. The production value. The studio. The people. Incredible work. Salute... you all are my favorites!

[kriscanmanifest]

To Patty's question, I decided to purchase a $500 Tumi bag on sale for $250 about 6 years ago and is the only bag I use on a daily basis. It stores my laptop, my iPad, and my cords, as well as a couple pens and my lipstick. It's held up fine and lasted me this long and I anticipate it lasting me another 7yrs easily. I feel very happy knowing it does its job, isn't gigantic (to promote shoving too many things into it) and serves a purpose. I think if you know yourself and you aren't doing it to get noticed, buying a leather bag that'll hold up can be a great purchase and doesn't have to be considered "luxury, " it's just "useful" :-)

[ArianrhodTalon]

As a consumer it's sometimes difficult to know which are the really high quality products without having prior experience (or know someone with prior experience) with the product. But I tend to gravitate towards items (within the context clothes, bags, wallets etc.) where the branding is more subtle instead of in your face. I see that as the company's focus on the quality of their products instead of the brand equity. And I am more than happy to pay more knowing that I will likely get a lot of use out of them.

[pipmunday]

If the item is used every day I think its certainly worth it. I recently lost my £300 bose headphones which I use every day. I went out and bought the exact same model again within a few days as the build and sound quality is incredible. Every time I put them on I realise how much I truly value them. Plus I'm listening to you guys right now on them!
If its something you will use constantly, buying quality can make you appreciate the item more.

[roegallo]

When my husband and I got married, instead of registering for things that we didn’t need or want, we registered for airline points. You can do it with any airline. Friends and family got to either transfer their extra points or buy points in our name. It was fabulous. Easy for them and really valuable for us. We used the points for business class tickets for a trip to Italy, to celebrate with our family over there.🤩

[lamochilademary]

I feel having a wedding is a luxury and not one I would want to have, I would save the money and travel the world.
A luxury item I would have is a solar panel house with enough land to grow my own food.

[NoneYa-pgdk]

Monetary gifts is so convenient and helps the newlyweds start their new chapter. I don’t have a problem with it as long as the couple is not demanding it but is announcing it as an option.

[mariacherrington]

I just asked my mom ( who makes Scrooge look extravagant) what she thinks of as luxury.. She said.. Anything that is not essential to your life that won't be used daily, or make the quality of your life better then it's a luxury

[AwokenEntertainment]

Love hearing you guys break down this topic.. very mind-expanding talk

[babytexan]

Awesome thoughts. If a couple is not going to make a registry at all for their wedding, it's probably good to put "No gifts please." on the invitation. Otherwise it's an even worse scenario where people bring a lot of random and duplicate physical gifts. But I love the idea of an alternative registry. My friend did that (ballet tickets for date night, contribution towards eventual home downpayment, snorkeling on the honeymoon) right along with a few physical items for their new apartment, and it was very classy. Then people had their choice of what to give that would be really helpful to the couple.

[maureenvandine]

Luxury is in the eye of the beholder, like taking a hot bath when all you have is a shower, or new socks when yours are full of holes. Just my take.

[intigniadickey]

To me potato chips, Cheetos, and other chips and candy or candy bars are all luxuries. When you have to be careful of each penny you spend you want your money to go on nutritious food not empty calories.
My son and his fiance each had everything they needed as they both were already living in apartments, so they just asked for the odd item that they didn't have and would like, and they asked for contributions to their cross country honeymoon trip.

[kraykray]

This has been an interesting listen. During the highs of the pandemic a loaf of bread could have been classed as a luxury. I enjoyed the different thoughts behind this topic

[jennifergarbow]

Love the "audience"!! Adds a cool vibe when ppl view on YouTube. I love that you actually go to the definition of words, oftentimes ppl use words without really knowing the definition. I always feel smarter after I listen :)

[Iquey]

I'ma set this record straight: luxury is about image, status and exclusivity. Might have nothing to do with quality though high quality is the expectation. Whether it's Chrome Hearts Streetwear, or the Hermés Birkin, the reason it's a luxury is because Not Everyone Can Have One. They make them in limited quantity and both markets go nuts when the goods are "dropped" in limited styles and amounts on their website or in the store. Same as Goyard and Chanel bags. They don't sell them online. Not everyone can obtain one, and that's why they are sought after.