The first flashy car my dh bought caused my MiL (his mum!) to be totally appalled at the waste of money. I remember her looking at me in total confusion and saying, “Why on earth would you let him buy it? It’s going to depreciate so quickly, and it’ll cost a fortune to maintain it! Doesn’t it bother you?”
And I said, “at first I felt a bit the same way, but when I thought about it I realised that we don’t really flash money around, but we are comfortable, and he works so hard that i shouldn’t dictate how he rewards himself. I love him and I want him to be happy. It gives him enormous pleasure to own and drive. He doesn’t drink, or gamble, or buy designer clothes, or have a premium golf club membership or a Premier League football ticket. He’s a good dad, a hard worker, and a nice guy. Why would i stop your son from spending money on something that he absolutely loves?”
And MiL looked at me squarely and said “well when you put it like that I can’t really disagree!” And ever since she has rather enjoyed taking a spin in the flashy car!
I have made really sure to never once throw it back in his face - and he has since upgraded the flashy car, it’s usually a purchase that takes an entire year to plan as he has draws out the excitement of trying to decide exactly which model to buy.
But my dh isn’t ever tight - we are careful but he’d never, ever moan at me about modest luxuries like strawberries or he’d get my “arched eyebrow” and get right back in his box.