I think I may be struggling just a tad with keeping lifestyle inflation at bay, and with keeping decisions in line with my financial goals.
To give two examples:
I'm moving soon and will (a) need to rent a new place, and (b) likely buy a new (used) car (currently don't own a car).
Regarding point a:
My max budget is $1200 for rent. I have found a place that fits pretty much everything I want and it's right at $1200. However, I started looking some more and found 1 or 2 places I don't particularly like so much (mainly because the location isn't near everything I like to do)...however the price is closer to $900. I feel like if were truly badass I'd only look at the $900 places period.
Regarding point b:
I won't be in a rush to buy another car but I likely will have to buy one at some point. I am thinking $5-$6K budget-wise. I was dead set on getting a Honda Accord like this:
https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/5876939795.html...but then started looking around more and thought to myself, "Why buy an Accord when I can get this for the same budget?":
https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/5855364253.htmlNow, I've only ever bought used cars cash and I've never owned a luxury vehicle. I also will be working from home so don't plan on driving much at all so I know what's most important is that the car is safe, will last a long time and is a great value for what I end up paying for it. It's not important that it be a 'nicer' car.
So. I'm saying all of this to ask
if anyone has struggled with making the right decisions to stay in line with their mustachian goals of spending less? How do you deal? I will say that overall I am used to doing this but lately it's been harder and the only reason I can of why it is harder is because 5 years ago I was making about half of what I make today. Most people know me as being the more 'frugal one' and I never thought I would struggle with lifestyle creep or anything like that.