Author Topic: Celebrating Milestones...  (Read 1789 times)

Cordivae

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Celebrating Milestones...
« on: April 20, 2018, 12:25:07 PM »
So with this years tax returns we just broke 200k.  In exchange for dumping most of it (4.1k) into VTSAX my wife wanted to go out to celebrate and we are going a fancy place: https://barleyswine.com/

It pains me to spend that much on a dinner, and I'm well aware of MMM's article on what you should do with windfalls.  However, I feel like my wife is generally on board with saving (even if she doesn't care about retiring early) and our savings rate this year is hovering around 71%. 

What are your thoughts on spending for such an experience / to keep the wife happy so long as it doesn't lead to lifestyle creep? 

lexde

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Re: Celebrating Milestones...
« Reply #1 on: April 20, 2018, 01:42:12 PM »
MMM is about mindful spending and avoiding consumerism.

I spend money on nice restaurants a few times per year because those experiences are important to me. I don’t see anything wrong with it.

And if it keeps a less mustachian spouse on board all the better.

lexde

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Re: Celebrating Milestones...
« Reply #2 on: April 20, 2018, 01:44:15 PM »
I’ll also add, please don’t stress about the cost while you’re there. Been there. Ruins the meal and you’re still out the money whether you enjoyed it or not.

So commit to the night and have a good time.

Brother Esau

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Re: Celebrating Milestones...
« Reply #3 on: April 20, 2018, 02:13:45 PM »
Have a nice dinner, cheers!

Zikoris

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Re: Celebrating Milestones...
« Reply #4 on: April 20, 2018, 07:34:29 PM »
Personally? I can see going to a nice restaurant to celebrate your anniversary, birthday, or the end of tax season (can you tell I work in accounting?), but it seems kind of weird to celebrate saving money by spending money. I would try not to make that a habit.

Morning Glory

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Re: Celebrating Milestones...
« Reply #5 on: April 21, 2018, 07:07:50 AM »
I'm going to chime in with making sure to decrease your withholding, you are giving the government a free loan.

Cordivae

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Re: Celebrating Milestones...
« Reply #6 on: April 22, 2018, 11:52:41 AM »
Thanks for the advice MrsWolfeRN... abolutely am going to look into that.  This was our first year married + her having a job and making all of our traditional accounts (401k, ira ect). 

Taking lexde's advice I just enjoyed myself and had one of the most fun nights of my life.  We certainly won't be spending $270 on a meal again any time soon but I will cherish this memory.  Got around to adding up our net worth and found out we are actually at $215K, still a long way to go but hard to imaging 4 years ago pre MM I thought I was doing good by having 10K set aside for emergencies.

Slee_stack

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Re: Celebrating Milestones...
« Reply #7 on: April 24, 2018, 10:38:18 AM »
Yikes! $270?!  I glanced at the menu...didn't look like that it was that kind of place.

Don't get me wrong, I definitely blow money eating out.  We do it on average once every 1-2 weeks.  I've never broken $100/head in my life though...even with drinks involved   I hope I never do.

Glad it was worth it though. 

It does make me thankful that both DW and I are incredibly happy visiting far simpler haunts.  We start to feel antsy at bills that approach $60 total.  I guess that's our value line in the sand.  No doubt many here would find our restaurant spending a bit on the high side...

I'm certain we could afford more, but we get so much enjoyment at the types of restaurants we already go to.  We really enjoy different ethnic foods and there are so many good cuisines around here that just don't cost much at all.  And the food is so amazingly good!  At the moment, we can't enough Ethiopian and Indian.  Peruvian is a close third.

If we had to have steak, seafood, or 'farm-rubbed, orgasmic, frontier-range jackelope', we definitely would be paying through the nose.  Maybe we're missing out.  i hear jackelope is indeed to 'die for'.

We don't celebrate financial milestones though.  I like to think that we celebrate out solid financial habits every day of the year by finding what works best for us every day.  Its worked well so far.  To each their own though!
« Last Edit: April 24, 2018, 10:40:59 AM by Slee_stack »