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 🥰
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.