I struggled much over these issues and it took 3 years before I even bought a bed (boy was my wife happy). Here is a good compromise that I made:

When I entered the army I spent all my base pay (except my gifts to the church) without worries. I gave 10% to church and 5% to savings and did not worry about the rest. Besides this, we spent our money freely.

In the army, promotion and pay grade increases happen regularly. But when I exited the military as a captain, we had maintained a 2nd Lt's pay. We had learned to survive on our initial entry pay and had maintained that level of life throughout my 5 year military term.

You are much in the same boat at this entry level stage in your life. In this way you can practice stewardship and not bug yourself over false reasons to feel builty (there are plenty of legit reasons to feel guilty without making up more)....

__________________
Pergamum


"If a commission by an earthly king is considered a honor, how can a commission by a Heavenly King be considered a sacrifice?"
-- David Livingstone