I saw an ad for a large, flatscreen LCD that I thought would be really wonderful. Combined with a home theatre system, I could watch movies and TV in full Dolby.

However, after that desire had cooled down a bit, I did a bit of thinking. Why did I want it? The honest answer was about having the TV as a showpiece in the house. In other words, it was more of a lifestyle statement rather than really needing it. That train of thought led me to question my beliefs.

What, truly, is "Quality of Life"? If I buy that TV and "feel good", do I have a better Quality of Life? Or, if I put that money away for investment, am I depriving myself?

The most common response would be "Strike a balance." But the million dollar question is "what is that balance?". Where do I draw the line?

This is part of the "save now, be happy later" vs "be happy now, who knows how long you will live" debate. No easy answers, but I suspect each of us need to find that balance ourselves and I am almost sure that you cannot copy someone else in this.

I am seeking that balance. If you already a Zen Master, please guide me. If you are a fellow pilgrim, join me.