Rob Bennett in Passion Saving has my view on saving (well, I like to call it investing 'cause saving invokes pictures of bank accounts and interest). It is not about the saving, it is about the spending.
As he writes
"Passion Saving is a two-sided coin. On one side is the phrase 'Saving Without Sacrifice.' Turn it over and the stamped inscription reads 'Spending Without Guilt.'"
I know as long as we have our investments tucked away for the long term, we can happily spend the rest. There is no guilt. There are no should's. We've been responsible, taking care of ourselves. We can be carefree about the rest (within reason).
I do the same with my writing. During my summers at home, I have an allocation of one chapter a day (freshly written or edited). When I finish that chapter, any at home time is mine to do with what I wish (watch Oprah, market my latest novel, watch my stocks go up and down). If I finish at 9 am (there must have been a miracle), I have the whole day. If I finish at midnight (more likely – staring at the screen until my eyes bleed), I don't have any time.
Worry is a killer (an uncle recently had surgery due to his worrying). If you're worrying about money, do something about it. Put an amount away and forget about that worry.