you could have had later
You are now talking, basically, opportunity costs. I don't think your approach makes sense.
(note: I honestly believe this, but I am presenting it more forcefully than I believe for socratic and exploration reasons).
Interesting. What other approach makes sense? When you stop treating currency as special, all costs are opportunity costs. The only actual loss you experience from spending now is that you can't spend it later.
This thread is for asking any questions that might seem obvious, tangential, silly or what-have-you. Don't be shy, everyone has holes in their knowledge, though the fewer and the smaller we can make them, the better.
Please be respectful of other people's admitting ignorance and don't mock them for it, as they're doing a noble thing.