Well, a few things. First, the premise that luxury items have more utility is one that doesn't always hold up (unless we count, as Veblen does, advertising a higher place in the social hierarchy through the things we own as a form of utility but I think this is dubious in a spiritual sense). Second, I think the joy of owning each individual fine item is lessened by buying many of them indiscriminately. Third, the financial stress I see this put on people -- difficulty, despite high income, paying basic bills or building any kind of savings -- cannot possibly be offset by that.
