Originally Posted by
char634w
I don't have a budget, I have a full time job and I buy what I want. Occasionally I feel a little guilty about my fabric stash, or my machines and tools but I have learned to live with the guilt (haha) and enjoy it. Life is so short and quilting makes me so happy and my husband appreciates beautiful quilts and good quality tools so he never says anything. He has always said that it is better to buy the best quality that you can afford so that is what I do. I do shop the sales for the better stuff and that always makes me feel good too. Sometimes I rationalize my purchases and say that I am buying for retirement because I won't have as much money then but I wonder if I am trying to fool myself - doesn't matter because I love everything about it. I could be spending $ on worse vises so I honestly don't feel that guilty. Quilts are beautiful and functional so I think it is all $ well spent regardless of how much.
This is my philosphy too. If I want to buy fabric or tools or books, I do. Sometimes I go a little overboard, but at other times I am able to walk away from fabric, so I feel like it balances out.
My DH and I have separate checking accounts. We do share the bill-paying, but he gets to spend his extra cash on hunting and all the stuff that goes along with it, and I get to feed my quilting habit. Oh, occasionally I do feel a teensy bit guilty for buying more fabric when I already have a HUGE stash, but that feeling doesn't last long once I take out my fabrics and fondle them for a while!