'Deserve Ko To!' Moms Share Why Buying A Luxury Bag Is Not Selfish

As a mom who has yet to buy a luxury bag, I want to understand the thought process behind moms who buy and even collect these expensive items.

One of our popular articles about luxury bags is about Judy Ann Santos getting real on why she would spend P400K for a bag, saying "Pwede naman ako sa bayong!"

Chito Miranda, on the other hand, received approval from our readers when we shared a story where he said that Neri Miranda spends her money to buy properties and not bags. It seems like more people need an explanation of why there are people would spend on a bag when it can be used to pay for tuition fees, start a business, or buy groceries. There's a notion that buying a luxury bag is not practical at all.

At the Smart Parenting Village, our Facebook group for parents, I shared an infographic put together by the Indonesian media site The Corator which is a guide to the different tiers of luxury bag brands.

In the comment section, most of the parents said they don't know any of those bags, or the bags that they have are not in the tiers. After all, we're just going to put our kids' leftover biscuit wrappers and used wet wipe inside, right? Join the conversation here.

It's indeed an interesting topic to talk about, and so we asked three moms from our Smart Parenting community to share their insights about moms buying luxury bags. Is it just a splurge or is there a science behind it? Like parenting, is it something that you will never understand until you have one?

Moms and luxury bags: Is it splurge or self-care?

'It gives my love tank a boost'

Mompreneur Lan Perez, 40, from Pasig revealed what made her buy her first luxury bag, "I was initially curious about what it was like to use a luxury brand. So I saved up and purchased a pre-owned luxury bag. It was sturdy and reliable, and I was able to sell it for 80% of what I paid for it after 6 years of use. Definitely a win-win situation."

"Each time I buy my dream bag, I feel good and proud. “Deserve ko toh!”

Since then, the mom of three said she looked at luxury bags as an alternative investment. "These luxury brands have been on the market for a long time, and people continue to buy them because of their exceptional quality and service.

She considers it also as a way to fill her love tank, "Each time I buy my dream bag, I feel good and proud. “Deserve ko toh!”

READ ALSO: 'You Can't Give If There's Nothing To Give'–Cheska Kramer On Self-Care While Raising Kids

 "Because I am working toward a goal, this inspires me to improve in every way," she added.

TIP: She puts it firmly that she never buys a bag out of whim, "If I like a bag, I read reviews to see if it's worth buying. I then set a spending limit and a timeframe because I want to make sure everything is in order before I spend on a bag.

READ ALSO: From Hobby To Pagkakakitaan: Stay-At-Home Mom Crochets Bags 'Pandagdag Sa Savings Ni Baby'

'A reminder of a job well done'

Mommy Janet Munoz, 41, from Pampanga is on the same boat as Mommy Lan. This hardworking and determined mama of three boys looks at each luxury bag that she owns as an investment and a reward.

 "As parents, we often lose our self-worth as an individual, getting something nice for myself is part of my self-care."

"Luxury bags are an investment. A nice, high-quality luxury bag can be used for decades, you can even pass it down to generations, to your children, or apos," she said.

"I always reward myself whenever I reach a milestone. A reminder of a job well done. As parents, we often lose our self-worth as an individual, getting something nice for myself is part of my self-care," Janet maintained.

TIP: Buy a bag that fits your lifestyle. If you pack a lot, buy a big one so that you can use it all the time because it's meant to be used!

READ ALSO: 11 Big Bags for the Multi-Tasking Mom

'A memorable experience'

Mommy Grace Donato, a member of the Smart Parenting Mom Squad, believes that the quality and craftsmanship of every bag justifies its cost. "I have always had a penchant for beautiful things. Being a fashion designer and luxury aficionado, I have collected a variety of luxury bags which range from sporty/casual bags to evening clutches," she said.

"It gives me a sense of my character that reminds me who I was before I got married and had kids."

When people say that an eco-bag or a cheap bag would do the job, her response would be, "To each his own. Naturally, don’t go into debt for luxury. That’s a definite no-no. Don’t ever get broke by trying to look rich. For others, it may be a splurge, but I see it as an investment that my daughter and my future grandchildren could enjoy – with each bag comes a lot of stories and fond memories. Of course, I am always grateful that I have the luxury and privilege to purchase luxury items."

What's more, this mom of two says what needs her bags fulfill, "As I have started my collection way back, it gives me a sense of my character that reminds me who I was before I got married and had kids." 

"Also, my mom and I share this bonding whenever we buy luxury items and I still remember every purchase we did together. It creates a memorable experience for me – from choosing an item, purchasing it, to using it," she added.

TIP: A backpack is a good idea for moms, "It’s perfect for traveling with the kids so I can just chase after them and completely hands-free! Haha!"

Now that we get why some moms are into luxury bags, you might find yourself wanting to get one too. As these moms said, we can look at it as a reward that we all deserve or an item that can make us feel good. However, as celebrity mom Isabelle Daza puts it, "Don’t go broke tryin’ to look rich."

Whatever makes you happy, mommy, go for it. 

Meanwhile, these moms are entering their cool mum era and are getting multiple ear piercings! Read here.