Skip to content

Defining Value

I have an old Gucci wallet. I’d say it’s about eight or ten years old, and it looks like it’s brand new. It looks new because the quality of craftsmanship is superior, and it looks new because I use it infrequently. I don’t enjoy the wallet, it’s too small. I felt terrible about not enjoying the wallet, as it was not inexpensive.

Yesterday I was at Target with the kids and I saw a wallet that I loved. It was $15, and I wanted to own it, but I felt bad about buying it for myself because I have a perfectly good wallet. This wallet, this fifteen dollar Liberty wallet is covered in flowers. I want flowers on my wallet. I want plasticy coverings too. I want space. I wanted this wallet that I didn’t need, and that didn’t have the value of my Gucci wallet.

Jane perked right up and said, “Mom I love the green wallet.”

So now this belongs to Jane.

And this belongs to me.

Liberty of London Floral Wallet

Though my eleven year old daughter doesn’t understand or appreciate a Gucci wallet, neither do I.

8 thoughts on “Defining Value”

  1. So funny. I *just* did the same thing last week. Except that I have a red Coach wallet and I got the fabric Liberty wallet at Target (instead of the plastic one). Totally had a guilt trip for replacing a wallet that was worth a lot with one that was not worth much, but quickly got over that. Love my new wallet.

  2. I have the same problem. During one of my “living in NYC” stints, I purchased (okay charged) a Louis Vuitton wallet. I got the smaller one for reasons I still can’t understand. I told everyone who questioned my purchase, that I was going to get my money’s worth and use it forever. Now 7 years later I’m still using it, but totally over it. I want the $15 flower wallets as well. I still have the original box for the wallet, so maybe I’ll put it in storage till my daughter is old enough to need it. :-)

  3. I am loving the new Liberty line at Target. I bought one of their tops the other day and am dreaming about getting another. The wallet is adorable—good for you!

Leave a Reply to Marvin Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *