If my bank balance lets me

[alpacinou]

Hello

Is it correct and natural to say "if my bank balance lets me" and then mention the name of an activity which is rather expensive?

Are these correct? Do they sound odd?

That restaurant is really expensive. If my bank balance lets me, I will dine there three times a week.

If my bank balance allows me, I will go on a trip this summer.

 

[Tarheel]

The word "expensive" is a relative term. And often when somebody says something is expensive it means they can't afford it.

Try:

If I can afford it I will go on a trip this summer.

 

[GoesStation]

Are these correct? Do they sound odd?

That restaurant is really expensive. If my bank balance lets me, I will dine there three times a week.

If my bank balance allows me, I will go on a trip this summer.

The first doesn't really work as a matter of style. The first clause reads like a conditional; that should be followed by a different modal. A more natural statement would be If my bank balance allowed it, I'd eat there three times a week.

The second one is OK but I'd say allows it.