I grew up in a blue collar family. We didn’t have much money, but it wasn’t bad. My father always complained about not having enough. My first relationship was with someone who couldn’t handle money and we got into big trouble which I fear still influences me psychologically. So these things shaped me. I am currently in a position where I managed to save a little over 10.000 euro in 4 years. I am in “need” of something that will cost me 3000. So I can afford it right now. But it feels wrong and drives me into a panic. I could wait another year when I would have saved another 2500 probably. But it also feels it might diminish my ability to deal with any financial problems that might arise in the mean time. Esp. since there is a (slim) chance I will move into another house which could cost me well beyond 10.000. I am in a relationship where my partner has saved 3000 and we have a joint account with almost 4000 in excess as well. So cognitively I know I am probably financially safe rn, but spending 3000 on -what I consider luxury (a new PC)- feels wrong.
I’m not looking for a “do/don’t do it” answer. But I am looking for perspectives. What would you do in my situation?
Edit: I didn’t think I would get that much replies, let alone so many helpful and considered ones. THANK YOU, everybody! For those who question my need for a 3000 computer. I did put it in quotes; but yeah, it could be a cheaper one, which I always went with in the past (I also always overestimate my budget when spending so it would in all likelihood be more in the 2000 range). I just figured since I can afford one now, why not get one that will last me 10+ years. And no, it isn’t a Apple 😱 I do some gaming but also 3D modeling as a hobby. Anyway, I decided to wait another year. Again, my thanks for all your replies 🥰
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Can’t imagine a scenario where you NEED a 3000 euro PC. There’s nothing a 3000 euro PC can do that a 1000 euro PC can’t do 90% as well.
Yeah I second this. OP ask yourself if this is something you really need or just want badly. If it’s the latter then buy a much cheaper machine and invest the rest. Every time you use it and you think that it’s a bit slow, log into your investment account and see how many PCs you could afford now.
I feel like it’s a Mac.
You can get a killer PC for 1500 and be decked out.
As for perspective OP, some further technical context could help. But either way, I can say that I agonized over getting a steam deck. But I got it because of travel and adore it. But that’s because it’s a crazy deal at $400. I think that $3000 will weigh on you if it’s not a priced out that it satisfies that bang for the buck budget mindset. I also don’t think it should be cheap but a good value will ease that part of the brain.
I was still rocking the same MacBook pro for 9 years. It’s like $200 now on eBay. Totally worth it. $3,000 for a computer doesn’t make financial sense, even for gaming. If you must game do a G-Force now $10 a month you can play it on anything with an internet connection.
I hate to say it, but I don’t think you need a €3000 computer.
$3000 is a gaming PC, or CAD PC. Unless you’re a professional streamer or a CAD designer, you don’t need it. You can get a decent computer for 1/2-1/3 of that price.
At the same time, it’s okay to buy things you don’t need, if you can afford them. But you have to decide if you should.
I’m not going to give you advice as you asked. But if I was in your position I would not spend 30% of my life savings on a computer. I would only spend a significant amount of my life savings on things that would enable me to increase my income or savings.
The fear you feel is important to notice and accept. I’m glad that you’re already doing that. I think it’s equally important to notice and accept your impulse to get the €3,000 computer. What is your brain telling you?
After realizing that there’s a part of you that is afraid of losing money, and there’s another part of you telling you to go after the €3,000 computer, notice yet other part of you that simply notices. This other part of you simply observes. It helps you to take distance from your thoughts, emotions, impulses, memories, etc.
Now think about what you value. If you weren’t limited by fear or impulses, how would you like to act? How would you like to be remembered. What do you stand for on your life?
Finally, think about what the next step towards that kind of life would be like.
Everything that you just heard is based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. You could search for Russ Harris or Steven Hayes for more information on it :) it could help you make a decision.
Good luck! :)
What I would do:
Talk with my partner to see what they think, as they might be also affected by my decision. I would re-think the budget for the PC as 3000 EUR is a considerable amount, I would try to compromise. But if I don’t change my mind then I will plan accordingly.
I would then save “extra” when possible, so I pay the computer to myself.
If my experience works for you: I also bought a 3000€ PC. It made no difference compared to my wife’s 1500€ PC at all.
According to review sites, the graphic card was so much better but the games looked exactly the same.I’m guilty of this too. I tend to make deals with myself and that works.
You could split the difference and buy it in six months, you’ll have nearly half saved in that time, and your housing situation should be more clear if not settled. I think mentally making the plan gives that future savings a goal and it’s easier to part with.
The first thing I would do is figure out how much of an emergency fund that 10k plus 7k in partner/joint account could support you for 3-6 months so you would be able to pay rent, eat, and keep the lights on. After that work up a rough budget of what you would like to do with the money left over, pay off debt, moving, new pc, vacation, or whatever. Having some numbers written down even if they are somewhat guesses might give you a bit more piece of mind on what acceptable spending is on a new fun thing. Maybe a written budget for each month will give you more piece of mind, maybe there’s 300 in spending you could live without for 10 months to offset the cost.
Another thing to consider is if you can get a better price, with Christmas about 4 months away, is a sale likely going to make it a 2800 euro purchase? Waiting a few months to save a bit might make it feel better.
If you’re handy could you buy an a cheaper but easy to expand pc and spread upgrades over the next 6 months to a year to reduce that sticker shock. Maybe this is also a good idea for handling a possible move, you can get a workable pc and after that you can take time to upgrade.
You are allowed to have nice things, you likely can’t have all nice things or every nice thing. It’s up to you to prioritize what things you want to be nice. Your money just sitting in an account beyond an emergency fund isn’t working for you, give it a purpose. Budgeting does help some people feel better about spending.
You also can consider what the potential move cost is. Are you having to clean out all your savings to move or is it just getting a mortgage where you have years of payments, but may not wipe out all savings at once? Is there a time you will know the chances of moving more definitively, if you wait 3 months? If you aggressively save for 6 months, would that give you a better cushion for a potential move, and if it doesn’t happen you have a good sum of money for a pc and other indulgences you passed on for 6 months.
Panic is a terrible place to make decisions from, get data and think things through carefully. There’s lots of unexpected expenses that can happen, but most of them don’t. Insurance exists for the really bad/expensive ones. For the others an emergency fund can really help. There’s always going to be times when a big purchase can leave you vulnerable, but you can take measures to decide how vulnerable you want to be. There’s also nothing wrong with saving up money during times of increased uncertainty, but that isn’t all the time.
Will you use it for work? Can you write it off as a business expense? Those are the things I considered the last time I went a bit over budget on a new computer. I bought a professional grade laptop with a graphics card that could handle pretty robust design work and it was still less than half of what you are looking to spend so maybe you could get by with something less? But it sounds like you know what you want if it’s worth it to you.
What feels wrong about it?
If you’re certainly going to use it and appreciate it and enjoy it, then you might manage to justify the purchase. Answer yourself honestly: will you?
Now imagine what would cause you to regret that purchase. How likely are those situations to happen?
I grew up in a home where money was tight and we had to give up many necessities because of money. It was also the typical household where, because they felt poor, my parents indulged in many little things in order to treat themselves, which made it even harder to have money for necessities when we needed them. As a result, I pledged to treat money differently: I was not going to go without something I (now we) need, truly need, because of money. This alone helped me clarify many buying decisions early in my adult life, when I couldn’t afford to spend as much as I can now.
Good luck.
You haven’t said much about the computer, but it seems almost like you need a new car so you’ve decided on a Ferrari, if that computer is €3000. Yeah, it would be cool, but a second-hand Mazda might do 90% of what you “need” the Ferrari for. And you can always swap out parts that aren’t good enough afterwards.
Especially with computer parts, you’re probably going to get maximum 8 years out of top-of-the-line latest flagship hardware, but you will still get 5 years out of the slightly less new maybe-not-flagship hardware, before they’re obsolete. But buying the slightly older or less powerful parts might save you as much as 40% cost.
If you’re considering buying a Mac, really consider what the “need” for it is and whether it needs to be the latest and greatest to fulfill that need. There are maybe one or two good reasons to opt for a Mac, if cost is a consideration at all. If you’re loaded, sure, get one.