If you can afford it and its want you want - purchase it. I bought my Bernina I was just getting back into sewing and learning to quilt. I was initially hung up on how much it cost but I will say that I am thrilled with my purchase.

1. You love your sewing and have proven that it's not a passing fancy.
2. You have the cash for it, so this won't be a debt that you or your family will be paying for.
3. You have done your research. (Have you checked out the Brother machines? Same machines, but BabyLocks have a higher price tag, from what I've gathered.). So clearly you are not impulsive.
4. What is it about the laser light and electronic pen attracted you? How often do you think you'd use them?
5. Have you test driven a lot of machines in that price range? Is the Crescendo the most user friendly?
6. Do you like the BL dealer? You'll be establishing a sales and service relationship so that's a big consideration.

I like the the math that bearisgray figured out. Less than A dollar a day for your hobby is cheaper than a cup of coffee at the local cafe! However, many electronic components wear out in 10 years so consider that it's not a mechanical Kenmore by any means in terms of longevity.

In your shoes, I'd get the most machine I could afford that does everything I need and lot of what I want, but I wouldn't get more than that. The more bells and whistles it has, the more things can go wrong.

Go for it !! When I retired 10 years ago I sold some of my stock and bought an expensive embroidery machine and have never been sorry.Enjoy now because you never know about tomorrow,and I've never seen a Brinks truck in a funeral procession.

you got that right jeanredner live today and tommorow will take care of its self. I too just got me a new machine a juki 2010 could have brought a lawn mower but this was just for me worked all my life and raised two beautiful daughters that could give a hoot about sewing. So when I am gone I told them to sell it on ebay haha LOL

new machine
 

For so many years I told myself: Angela, there are wants and needs. I put others' needs ahead of mine, which was okay at the time.
Very often that helped me make a practical and budget-friendly decision.
Now, I'm nearly 70 years old and I've eliminated the "needs" part of that saying if the money is there.
Please, get the best machine you can afford.
Blessings!

It truly is a wonderful machine. Have you thought about buying one that is an embroidery machine also? I bought one for around 3,000 and I love it also. It is a babylock and it's my last machine before I leave this frail earth life!

i think the bottom line is , How is the dealer? Helpful? Friendly? When you walk in do they acknowledge you? What support and lessons do they offer with your purchase? Can you call them if you run into a pjroblem at home? Did you ask if they have a sale comoing up? If they say they don't know, ask if one come along right after you buy your machine will they give you the sale price or at least they dollar differance in merchandise ? I can almost preict when there will be a sale--about 2-3 months after I buy a machine a new model comes out!!What isthat happens, what will they do? I'd say buy the one you can afford and know you will enjoy and call it a retirement gift. You will be using it a lot more after your retire. Let us know what you decide>

this is a wise statement. I had a relative who prided herself on being frugal even though they had a comfortable income. When she was in her early 60's (your age) she decided that she & her husband were now too old do do anything. They quit everything, lived very, very frugally, denied themselves the simplest pleasures such as a good cup of coffee or going out to dinner. She lived to be 91, husband to 86, all those years with no every day simple pleasures, hobbies, etc. But I guess her satisfaction was being so extremely frugal, that was her life. Left behind a small fortune that went to a relative and a cat shelter.

I would say that if you want it and can afford it you should get what you want. that said I personally would rather have substance over gimmicks and would buy the best quality in a machine rather than "bells and whistles" Laser lights and pens and funny sounding feet aren't something I would waste money on. Remember that Brother has a long reputation as a poor quality machine., flash is cheap but for that kind of money I would buy a reputable machine that will go the distance and be reliable.

Sorry,
No cat shelter donations from me. And I love cats. I am in my late 50's setting up my toys for when I retire. I buy right the first time. I sew on a Bernina 830, the old one. I have a full woodshop, and a complete darkroom. I have my Tin Lizzy which I, as a computer engineer should be able to keep running for quite awhile. You only live once. Buy responsibly, enjoy what you have. Make sure your new purchase gives you not only what you want but what you need, like an auto threader for your needles. I can see someday retiring the Bernina just to get a needle threading machine as my eyes (or fingers) get tired. Buy what you want, learn how to make the gizmos you love so much work for you. tim in san jose