I, like many Americans, am on a low-carb diet. It has become a way of life for me, and recently it has become easier since many restaurants, fast-food chains and grocery stores are getting on the low-carb bandwagon.

In the end, though, it comes down to me making decisions on what I should or shouldn't eat. The same holds true when building a new home or remodeling an existing one, and it's often hard to decide what to cut from your “needs, wants and dreams” list. It comes down to making tough decisions: What do I really need? What is expendable? Of course, there is always room to splurge. (When I travel to New York City, I usually allow a couple days of "treating myself!")