When I used to gamble a bit, $100 sets were no biggie, but that was my ceiling.....after a hundie, I got uncomfortable.....not embarrassed, that's just the extent of my cheapness
In my few trips to Vegas, my rule is $100 a day for gambling....whether it takes 8 hours or 10 minutes, when the hundie is gone, it's time to entertain myself otherwise......
I follow pretty much the same principle. I allocate money out of my budget for entertainment. It is not just my money I am spending, it belongs to the family. I can't imagine a family man gambling $500 + of the family budget unless they are independently wealthy. I have said this same thing to those who attempt to goad me into playing for higher stakes. I have had family men tell me that there was no difference between them buying a bass boat and gambling......the money is being spent on hobbies/entertainment. My usual reply is that the entire family benefits from, and enjoys the pleasures of boating. There are priorities in life, how you set them and why, is some measure of selflessness, or selfishness. Like another poster said.....If I was a Saudi prince, or had no other obligations to anybody but myself......things may be different. But untill I win the lottery or a rich uncle dies.....$20 is about my limit.....Dan