About Vanity

Vanity is an educational platform dedicated to revealing the true cost of luxury purchases and empowering individuals to make informed financial decisions. We believe in transparency, financial literacy, and the power of compound interest over conspicuous consumption.

Our Mission

To educate consumers about opportunity costs and help them understand how their spending choices impact their long-term financial freedom. We provide tools and insights to visualize the true cost of luxury purchases versus investment opportunities.

Our Approach

We use historical market data and realistic depreciation models to show the financial impact of different spending choices. Our calculations are based on well-established financial principles and average market returns over extended periods.

Who We Serve

Young professionals, millennials, and anyone interested in building long-term wealth. We especially focus on those who might be tempted by luxury purchases but want to understand the true financial implications of their spending decisions.

Our Values

Financial transparency, educational integrity, and empowerment through knowledge. We don't provide personalized financial advice but instead offer tools and information to help you make your own informed decisions.

Why This Matters
The impact of financial literacy on life outcomes

Studies show that financial literacy directly correlates with wealth accumulation and life satisfaction. Yet, luxury marketing often exploits psychological triggers that lead to poor financial decisions.

By providing clear, visual comparisons between luxury spending and investment growth, we help people see beyond the immediate gratification of purchases to understand their long-term financial impact.

Methodology & Data Sources

Investment Returns: We use historical average returns for major market indices:

  • S&P 500: ~10% average annual return since 1926
  • NASDAQ: ~11% average annual return since 1971
  • Dow Jones: ~9% average annual return since 1896

Depreciation Rates: Our luxury item depreciation is based on industry research showing 15-20% annual depreciation on average, with initial depreciation of 20-40% upon purchase.

Important Disclaimer

The information provided on this website is for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be construed as personalized financial advice. Past market performance does not guarantee future results. All investments carry risk, including potential loss of principal. Please consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.