I have never in my life said out loud 'I can't afford that'. I may know I can't but I will never say it. Saying it makes it true and I'll never have it. I just tell myself one day I will have that. I have been around others that say Oh I can't afford that or it's too expensive for my blood and it does nothing but bring negativity to the whole idea. I just keep my mouth shut and wish they would too. As far as a new high end machine. 99% of my quilting is straight stitching. That's all I will use on the machine that cost thousands so I haven't felt the need to want one. I never feel guilty about spending money on myself either. My DH and kids never felt guilty, that sunk in after a few years of giving up what I wanted for them to get what they wanted. That way of thinking stopped for me.