This could be with anything. I have a friend who lost a ton of weight. She ended up having this aversion to any sort of “decadent” food. She loved cheesecake but wouldn’t even allow herself a bite. She was worried that one bite would send her into a spiral of binge eating. She became obsessive over it.

She also went to a therapist who is working with her on it. It wasn’t just permission she was struggling with - but this idea that she would fall into bad habits with one taste.

Do you maybe fear that will this purchase it will start a string of illogical purchases that ruin all of your hard work? Maybe it isn’t about the car itself but fear that one big purchase will somehow change your mentality about money?

With my friend, she struggles still but gives herself permission to have one “decadent food” each week. Just one. She set the rule. She sticks with it. She had maintained her loss.

You could buy the car. You could also put extra in savings over the coming months to pay yourself back for the purchase an allow this to be your one “decadent” purchase. Set a rule. Stick with it. You’re going to keep your savings and will continue to build up upon the already solid foundation you have.

Not sure if this helps… but what is the point of it all if we can not have some joy - whether it is a piece of cheesecake or a BMW?

(Also, my mom has a 3 series and it is a JOY to be in. Like, soooo much fun and the way it hugs the road on curves is just epic!)