Enticements to spend more

  Went to go look at boats on a recent trip to Boston for a conference.  I try to use trips as an opportunity to see boats.  Uncle Steve thought commented that it seems early to be looking at boats.  I go see them for several reasons.  First, it is exciting.  Saving is hard and it helps to look at the goal.  Second, seeing them in person is much better than the pictures, and God knows I look at enough of those.  Third, I want to be an educated buyer, both about what I want and what is a good deal.  Fourth, it is giving me the perspective of how long these things sit on the market.
  I saw an older Alden 44, a Cambria 44 and a Stevens 50.  The big boat had so much more room and got me thinking that it would be so much more comfortable for the family, esp for my older son to visit.  But it is not a very pretty boat in my opinion, which made me then think about pretty boats with this much space, which of course would cost more money, which then made me think of the option of financing this adventure rather than doing it with cash.  This led to a stressful couple days feeling intimidated about how much could be spent and the potential of debt to squash plans.  Among the anxious thoughts this led to were the thoughts that I would be under pressure to get back to work and maybe to sell the boat upon return.  There will always be a more comfortable, bigger, more equipped boat and I think one of the key elements in making this trip successful will be to stay within our financial limits.
  All the while as we are tucking money into the boat fund, budgeting and tracking our personal finances, life needs to be kept in balance.  This is not an easy task alongside a goal of taking a few years off and living on a sailboat. There will be life before and after this trip.  Debt could burden life after the trip and maybe even during it (could even shorten it).  By the same token, saving too hard now can make our current lives less enjoyable and someone is going to feel that spending on their priority has been shorted.  Sticking with our budget, saving our forecasted amount, keeping our lives livable now and not having the stress of debt is going to be essential in making this whole thing work.