[dlehman]

I think that defining your constraints ahead of time is the only way to go. If $6,000, why not $10,000, then $20,000, then you're suddenly at $50,000 because you "had to".

Designing within constraints is really what the essence of design is all about. If you set limits, you must work hard to stay within those limits. The idea that "given unlimited time/money/people I could design the ultimate whatever" is a myth anyhow.