Hey dolls! I can’t wait to share with you all of my secrets to purchase designer handbags on a budget. I’m Christina and I am a fashion blogger and video creator. My fashion blog, Christinabtv.com, covers all the inspiration you need for fashion, lifestyle, and travel. My youtube channel, Christinabtv, focuses on luxury items and my playlist “Luxury on a budget” shares my best-kept tips on how to live a champagne lifestyle on a beer budget. I would love for you to subscribe!

I remember the day I purchased my first Louis Vuitton handbag; I just graduated from College and began working at my new job. Daydreams of living the good life were clouding my mind when I received my first paycheck: a new handbag, maybe a trip to Europe, some new Chanel makeup? Then reality hit when I paid my rent. Maybe I can’t afford everything right now, but if I save I can eventually afford everything one at a time.

A Louis Vuitton handbag was something I wanted for years. I decided it was going to be my first big gift to myself. To afford such a luxurious item on an entry-level salary I knew I would have to make sacrifices. What those sacrifices are will vary from person to person. I’ve learned over time that if I really desire something I will do whatever it takes to make it happen! Let’s start with some tips on how to save for your designer handbag.

How to save money for a designer handbag

Are you a Starbucks lover like me? Cutting down on my Starbucks runs has really helped me save money for designer handbags. Each drink costs about 5 dollars and if you add a pastry you are spending around 8 dollars a day. If you go to Starbucks (or your local coffee shop) 5 times a week that’s 40 bucks which is $160 a month! Girl, that’s a quarter of the way to entry-level Gucci bag! Here’s what I did: I bought a Nespresso. Best. decision. ever. THIS IS THE ONE I PURCHASED and it’s around 100 bucks. I only go to Starbucks about once a week or every other week and make my lattes at home!
Sell your clothes on Poshmark or Ebay. I do this all of the time! It gives me some extra cash to use towards a designer handbag (or a new wardrobe) and I declutter at the same time. I am constantly selling clothes on Poshmark, you can check out my store HERE.
Get a side hustle! Are you really good at something or have a passion that you would like to make money off of? Think of opening an etsy shop to sell homemade items, or an ebay store to sell your antiques. Love cooking? Offer cooking classes in your local area for a small fee. Love fashion? Pick up a few shifts a month at your favorite store at the mall (hello, employee discount!).
Enroll in a credit card that gives you points. Be cautious, don’t leave a balance on your card because it will charge interest. I stopped using my debit card and strictly use credit cards so that I can obtain points and then I turn those points in for cash! I have bought a handbag utilizing this strategy! Instead of using cash or debit cards I charge my credit card and then pay it in full every month. The points add up!
Pick something that you spend money on every month that you can cut back. Those bi-weekly trips to the nail salon. The fast-food binges. Cocktails at happy hour. Club entrance fees. There has to be one thing you are willing to get rid of (or minimize) and then transfer that money into your handbag savings.

Where to buy handbags when you are ballin’ on a budget

Finally, let’s discuss where to purchase handbags on a budget. To begin, Louis Vuitton doesn’t have sales. Every once in a while Burberry or Gucci might put a thing or two on sale, but let’s be honest it’s never the bag you want. So how can you get these bags for a discounted price?

The absolute best way to save money on a designer handbag is to buy pre-owned, or what I like to call pre-loved. There are two online retailers that I stand by that sell 100% authentic handbags, give good descriptions, and have high-quality photos. The first is FASHIONPHILE. I have bought so many handbags from them! It is because of this website that I have been able to grow my designer handbag collection. Many of the bags are in excellent condition. How it works: someone owns a handbag and no longer wants it in their collection, they sell it to consignment, and then consignment sells it to us for a much cheaper price than retail because it’s gently used.

For me, pre-loved handbags are kind of like buying a gently used car. Handbags depreciate (unless it’s Hermes or Chanel) so why purchase brand new when you can get gently used. The second place I buy tons of luxury items is TheRealReal. They have the best inventory for designer shoes and jewelry. I have purchased so much designer stuff from this website and I love it!

Another option, similar to both of the options I mentioned above, is Rebag!

If you really want to save the money and purchase a handbag brand new, I would recommend NORDSTROM or NEIMAN MARCUS. They have great customer service, which is always important when you are purchasing an expensive item!

I hope this was helpful and can’t wait for you to start your handbag collection! For more inspiration check out my FASHION BLOG, and if you love youtube watch my videos HERE.

xoxo,

Christina