Great post and great comments. thedangler, your comment highlights two important points: these decisions are personal , and these splurges should be based on what you can afford . For me, a car is transportation. I’ve never seen or heard of a car that can make me grin. And financing a car? Not for me. If I have to borrow money to buy a car, I can’t afford it. But my splurges probably wouldn’t appeal to you . For me a fine meal that costs a couple hundred bucks is my sort of treat a couple times per year. And I spend more on books than most women spend on clothes, shoes, purses and grooming products combined. We each have our own values. The point is this : Control your money or your money will surely control you. And find the line for you between frugality and indulgence that you can afford. Source: http://twocents.lifehacker.com/the-case-for-buying-something-you-love-even-if-it-s-ex-1749194019?utm_campaign=socialflow_lifehacker_facebook&utm_...