House, Car, STipendium for the Kids, and All that Things, the "Big Things", is totally OK in my Opinion.
In my Childhood I for Example made the Experience, my Parents took a Credit, to buy a House, and develope/extend it.
I'm not toooootally sure, but as I remember, as They paid Their final Rate, they had paid much than TWICE the Original Amount back(but This had also something to do with with a Currency Reform; Old/New Germany etc.; between).
This was not the only, but One Experience which left deep, deep Impression to me.