Arm Candy: Sweet Deal or Tempting Investment?

Let's face it, ladies.

Shoes or sugar, bags or beautiful clothes, we all have some sort of shopping weakness, right? (If you don't, I envy you.)

Mine is apparently fashion in general. I am a self-proclaimed Shopportunist.

But what happens when you know you need something, but can't decide whether to go for the better deal, or the better investment piece that might last you a little longer?

Of course, standing in the middle of the aisle, you begin to weigh the pros and cons. The cheaper item will save you some money now, but if it falls apart because of poor quality, you're going to have to spend more money later to replace it and you're right back where you started. The higher-quality item is going to cost you a good bit more, but it will probably last much longer. This is not to say that you can't get quality for less, but it's hard to snatch it before someone else does.

I hate to say this, but shop for brands. Now this isn't necessarily for something like tees and jeans. However, if you're shopping for shoes or a handbag, it could be beneficial. A reputable brand is more likely to have quality products. If they want to stay popular, they have to satisfy the customer. You can shop around online and find things that are a season old or are on deep discount. I say, still look for a deal, but be willing to pay a little more to get more.

And then, there's love. Suppose you find a purse that you absolutely love, but it's priced higher than you walked in wanting to pay. Do some research. Put the bag on hold. Most places will do it for at least a day and that will allow you to shop around online for the same product or something similar (now that you know exactly what you want), or give you some time to think over making a bigger purchase. This particular process has both helped me find what I need and saved me from imprudent purchases.

I gotta say, this is all inspired by a recent purchase I made. Now, you all know how much I love a good deal. I mean, I just managed a free phone with a $5 case to boot—I'm getting off track. Last summer, I got a $10 bag and it has since fallen apart—torn, broken hardware, etc. I found a handbag that I absolutely love—it's. to. die. for.

It's a reliable brand, made of strong materials, functional interior pocket space, my favorite color ... and it's $99. There I was, trying not to fall even deeper in love with every glance. I obsessed, weighed pros, weighed cons—I even called my mom and a friend to convince me it was okay. After all that, I caught sight of the original price: $200. I was getting half off, it was going to last me awhile, and I made a pledge not to buy non-necessities for ... the rest of my life—probably just a few months, though.

What I'm getting at is, if it's worth it to you, it's worth it. If you truly can't afford it though, make do for now, and save a few bucks each month if that's what you really want. That will give you time to explore options, and maybe you can get it even cheaper later. Investment pieces are such for a reason. You invest once, you're happy for many-a-day after.

If you find a way to make it work, make it yours. 

What do you choose to invest in? Is it a better winter coat? A great pair of running shoes? Or are you a purse purchaser, too? Let me know. I'd love to hear about your investments!