Nara Smith Can ‘Absolutely’ Afford a Birkin, but Says She Won’t Drop More Than $13K on the Bag for One Simple Reason

**Influencer Nara Smith Prioritises Financial Literacy Over Luxury Purchases**

Nara Smith, a prominent influencer with over 17 million followers on social media, is known for her engaging content focused on recreating beloved family meals from scratch. However, despite her success and the financial means to indulge in luxury items, such as a coveted Birkin bag, she has made the conscious decision to delay such purchases in favour of more meaningful financial investments.

In a recent episode of Emma Grede’s podcast “Aspire,” Smith candidly shared her long-standing desire for a Birkin bag. “Could I have afforded it? Absolutely. Have I bought it? No,” she stated. For Smith, the allure of the high-end handbag is overshadowed by her commitment to better long-term financial decisions. Instead of splurging on luxury items, she prioritises contributions to her children’s college funds and investments in stocks.

Smith’s fiscal responsibility is deeply rooted in her upbringing. She credits her frugal father with instilling in her the importance of saving and living within her means. From a young age, he taught her how to manage her money wisely, providing her with a “pie chart” that outlined how to distribute her earnings between savings and spending. “It was never, ‘Oh, you’re getting a paycheck, go ham and do whatever,'” she explained. This mentality has shaped her approach to financial decisions throughout her life.

Her journey as a model began at the tender age of 14, and she recounts the thrill of receiving her first paycheck from a runway show. Although it was a modest sum of approximately €300 (about £260), she recalls the experience as transformative. “I couldn’t believe it. It was fantastic,” she remembered, noting how it afforded her the luxury of a Starbucks drink, which felt like a real treat at that time.

While modelling has provided her with various opportunities over the years, Smith has also faced challenges. She took on part-time work at a smoothie shop while still juggling her education. “I hated it,” she admitted, yet recognised it as an important lesson in hard work and financial responsibility. This early experience taught her the value of earning money and the importance of spending it wisely.

As a mother of four and a multi-faceted entrepreneur, Smith is still mindful of her spending choices. She often rejects conveniences like food delivery in favour of making quick trips to the grocery store, opting to save on hefty delivery charges. “I’m like, we can’t Postmates that. It’s going to be £20 in delivery fees,” she said, illustrating her practical approach to everyday expenses.

Despite the demands of her family life and her burgeoning career, Smith finds joy in striking a balance between treating her family to high-quality ingredients for meals and being prudent with her finances. “I do enjoy buying good quality ingredients. It’s this fun navigation, but it also comes with a lot of responsibility,” she explained.

Looking ahead, Smith remains optimistic about acquiring her long-desired Birkin bag, though she maintains that it will be a decision made with thoughtful consideration of her family’s future. Her focus on responsible financial practices serves as a testament to her commitment to securing a stable and prosperous future for her children. “The Birkin will come at some point,” she concluded, emphasising her patience and prioritisation of what truly matters.

In a world where social media often glorifies excess and luxury, Nara Smith stands out as an example of financial prudence and intentionality. Her journey reflects not only the challenges of balancing fame with family life but also the importance of instilling core values of financial literacy in the next generation.