After some misunderstandings about interest-free financing [1] and promotional offers [2], I've decided to take a financial and material break.  I keep buying big and expensive things, and while they're useful, they're at least somewhat unnecessary.  And I keep looking at new stuff.  As soon as I get my new thing, I look for another new thing.  It's like a disease.  So that's why I'm cutting myself off.  I'd like to be content with what I have and stop buying new things.  That's the plan. 

[1] I bought a digital camera from Dell.  I signed up for a Dell Preferred Account because I hoped to get interest-free financing.  I was approved for the card, so I figured I also got the financing deal.  My first bill came and it showed no finance charges, so I figured I was in the clear.  So I bought a laptop on the same Dell Preferred Account, thinking I would tack it onto the bill, paying it off over the course of the next year or so.  I got a bill right after I got my laptop.  It turns out I was being charged the standard 23% or whatever it is.  That's quite a high number.  And I refuse to pay somebody money to let me pay them money, except if it's a house or a car because there's almost no way around that.  So I had to take some money out of savings and pay off the dumb bill. 

[2] I signed up for Dish Network.  They had a promotional offer that I thought said I would get Dish for 12 months for $19.99 per month, plus free installation.  The free installation happened by paying $50 up front and getting a $50 credit on my bill.  I knew about that.  That's fine with me.  So by the time I actually had to pay a bill, it was only about $10.  But then the next bill came, and it was for $31.99.  I called them up and they said it was a 3-month promotional offer, after which the discounted price would go back to the normal price.  Granted it's only $12 more per month, but it's the principle. #psychology