OH Judy! I can soooo relate. When Gary became disabled, we tightened our belts considerably as his income (disability and medical retirement) was suddenly about 1/2 of what his former income was. We try to travel in the summer so he can go and do things while he is still able. And I usually buy him anything (within reason) that he wants - again, so he can have it while he is still able to enjoy it. Sometimes we spend tooooo much though. Then the unexpected happens. This summer we spent $6000 on getting part of the rotten siding replaced on our house and $1800 on getting the whole outside of the house painted. WHEW! That was in addition to the two trips we took over the summer. Our bank account is beginning to look pretty pitiful
and I too, am worried about something else major unexpectedly coming up.
Also, we are taking the week long cruise to the caribbean the first week in Nov. It is already paid for and we won't be doing anything extravagant on the trip - but just the odds and ends of extra food/drinks/trinkets to bring home - will be more than I want to spend, I just know.
I don't want to be rich at all - I just want to be able to do a few things without worrying about every penny - but I guess that will never happen!