We are pretty fiscally conservative (save ~30% salary per year), in our early 50s, and buying our mid-2000s Nordic Tug 32 was HARD. It's a beautiful boat in great condition, but also $$$ - at least for us. It's also our first ever boat. We did not want a project, wanted something to go to Alaska in (eventually) and didn't want to trade up - we more of the 'buy once, cry once' type. We hope to retire in 3-5 years. It was an expensive purchase and an unknown quantity (we've chartered, but are still pretty new to boating), and given the uncertainty in the market (stock and boat buying) we gave it a lot of thought.
At the end of the day, we jumped. We used discretionary funds and got exactly what we wanted. We haven't bought any other large ticket item since our house >10 years ago, and decided to go for it (the 'can have whatever you want, but not everything you want' mentality). So far so good! We don't have any regrets, are on our way to new adventures. We've travelled internationally a lot, Covid excepted, and decided we'd rather travel on water in our beautiful area (pacific nw) so rather than $$$ on trips to europe, asia, beyond we will be in the water in the PNW. Will the same boat be cheaper in the next few years? Could be, maybe not. I guess some of the YOLO effect played a part as well. We aren't getting any younger and want to explore the world while we can.
Anyway, just one perspective from someone who is careful with their money but tries to balance that with the 'you can't take it with you' reality.
At the end of the day, we jumped. We used discretionary funds and got exactly what we wanted. We haven't bought any other large ticket item since our house >10 years ago, and decided to go for it (the 'can have whatever you want, but not everything you want' mentality). So far so good! We don't have any regrets, are on our way to new adventures. We've travelled internationally a lot, Covid excepted, and decided we'd rather travel on water in our beautiful area (pacific nw) so rather than $$$ on trips to europe, asia, beyond we will be in the water in the PNW. Will the same boat be cheaper in the next few years? Could be, maybe not. I guess some of the YOLO effect played a part as well. We aren't getting any younger and want to explore the world while we can.
Anyway, just one perspective from someone who is careful with their money but tries to balance that with the 'you can't take it with you' reality.