eucalyptus wrote:"Not everyone who buys something expensive is doing so to impress others, although that myth is frequently repeated on this board."
I agree that it's a myth, but only those who buy expensive things for enjoyment will ever understand. I've had nice collector cars I never talk about in the RW, drive primarily at times when few people are out and always park away from people. Yet I would be accused of showing off, "signaling." I give up.
And I wear some nice clothing when I am "at home" (and by that, I do *not* mean "at home, receiving guests!).
So, either I'm wearing them for my own enjoyment and comfort (comfort especially, many times), or I guess I'm trying to "impress" DH, who sometimes purchased a few items for me, or at least nodded approvingly before or after the purchase, so that's a bit weird...
[And I wear the same things when he is away...]
I also happen to enjoy looking at the tailoring and detail (having sewn most of my own clothes at one point in time).
Speaking of which, I guess some of the other BH's never "dressed up" for a date in "those days"?
What kind of "signaling" is that, and is it "okay" or "not okay"?
Or... dressing for a job interview?
Or a nice restaurant?
Or "just" a picnic with friends or someone special.
Sometimes entries here would suggest there's no reason not to wear ratty jeans all the time, anywhere. And the cheapest possible (just toss them when they start unraveling, and keep buying more?).
Or always get the cheapest possible dishes, etc.??
We also have some nice pictures on our walls.
I guess a "real Boglehead would have bare walls", since those are not necessities, and are just "showing off" aka "signaling" (especially those in areas where Guests never go??).
WE happen to enjoy looking at them, and often remembering where we got them, or special events/moments they signify (yes, "signaling", but privately, just between us).
And we care about COMFORT in our car,too.
Our current 10 yr old car is giving us some bone-rattling jolts when going over potholes, and it hurts. And it doesn't stop hurting the way it used to.
So we test drove a new car that had a "cushy" feel. Much better. Costs more.
We'll see.
We don't plan to be buried with pots of gold or a folder full of certificates of deposit, after all.
RM