I am not sure why I am all of a sudden feeling this way, but I am wanting to buy things. Not just normal things, but big ticket item things. I’m talking grand things like:
- A Precor 9.35i Commercial grade treadmill because I can’t even make it to the gym anymore due to my insane schedule. I’m convinced that I will use this treadmill if it were in my home. The problem? For starters, the price is $4999.00!!!!! Secondly, my house has no room for this monstrosity. Yet, the want is there.
- New bedroom furniture for our bedroom because we have never owned new furniture. Everything has been hand me downs. I want a new bed from Pottery Barn ($1400+shipping), a new dresser from Pottery Barn ($1400+shipping)
- A new windows based laptop because no matter how much I try I cannot run Windows via parallel or bootcamp. Which means i can’t use Quicken, which just pisses me off. The cost for a “decent” Dell at Costco is about $650, which includes a brand new Lexmark printer.
- To that end, I am coveting an iPad even though I know it’s a glorified iphone, which I have. But, why do I want one of these stupid things? I don’t know! $500!
I tried to do psychoanalysis on myself on why I suddenly want stuff and the answer is simple, I’ve deprived myself to pay off the credit card debt, to save for down payment of new car and I haven’t treated myself to something in so long, I’m going crazy. I think I need to treat myself to something nice and cheap, something as a reward because I’m eating healthier etc. Not sure what I would buy since I’m too cheap to actually hand over the debit card but maybe some work out clothes? Or, perhaps a new Filofax or Franklin Covey Planner. Something that costs under $50 and definitely not $4,999.
Am I going to indulge on anything of the above? No! However, I will be perfectly honest, I am really *this* close to getting the laptop. I’ve lamented for so long about it and I think part of the reason why I don’t blog as often is because it’s impossible to run my actual budget & spending in Quicken because IT WILL NOT WORK. I tried for over an hour trying to get it to work today only to get frustrated and say, “F*CK IT! ARGH!!” And, you all know I’ve been complaining it for a long time.
I can absolutely relate! I live on such a strict budget that when I finally do allow myself to spend, I go for that big item I’ve been wanting. In some cases, in makes sense because it’s better than all those little things that add up without you knowing. But I have to make such it stays within my overall budget without completely undoing my finances.
Re: the laptop – you could always sell the Mac. You’d get almost as much as you paid for it, depending on how old it is. And I may or may not be interested depending on the model.
I think small treats are completely necessary and deserved. You’ve undergone a HUGE lifestyle change over the past few months, and it’s hard not to get something new every now and then. Setting a limit (like the $50 you mentioned) is a great idea!
It’s all about balance, really. Kind of like a diet too. Depriving yourself will make you binge. Moderation…buy a few things to keep you motivated…but pay cash.
You can do it!