I am ripping through my savings on the Lancia. I will have to make a decision fairly soon as to do I whack things on Credit Card (high interest but can bay back in full as soon as i've sold the car) apply for a bank loan (Medium interest, medium term length and penalties for paying off early) or get mortgage on my flat (lowest interest but longest payment schedule, again penalties for early payment) Plus taking out a mortgage at 55 might not be easy
If I could have stuck to my budget I could just about have done without extra funds and I did build a 10% margin for error but it has been impossible. The one upside is that rare-ish Lancia values are going up. Also I have more than just money invested in it.
Trying to keep to my early budget has been a good discipline too - it has forced me to research all the angles
I agree with you Soberpotamus - it feels better to have some savings even if on a purely economic basis paying debts off first is the most cost effective
Enjoy your vacation time Ruby - make sure you take it all this year