On wants

I work as a manager in a woman's clothing store so it has been difficult to resist the want of all things bright, shiny and new. It is pretty much expected of me to look a certain way and dress in newer fashions. I have done pretty well with this as I buy very few new items, mostly just clearance accessories to update classic looks and stay on trend. I buy a lot of clothes and accessories at the Goodwill and other thrift stores. I have a list on my phone of items that I want, I list a price range that I think is acceptable to purchase at and look for those items at thrift stores and yard sales. If I can't find that item at an amazing bargain price I don't get it.

One huge want I had struggled with is the want to eat out at Restaurants. We just had to set a limit: Once per week $30 or less with one of those being a go-all-out-appetizer-entree-dessert-extravaganza for under $60.

I also read frugal blogs. When I see that other people can control their wants and live a happy and healthy life I know that it really isn't about keeping up with the Joneses and come to think of it I don't really like the Joneses, they aren't very good friends or polite to brag about their new everythings, and the truth is they are kind of fake and not very happy contented people and maybe it would do me well to get some new friends that instead of bragging about how much they spent on a new bedroom set, brag about they they got their dresser from a curb alert and their mirror was a hand-me-down and their headboard was picked up at a yard sale for $6.

I think looking at some things practically. Like how much cable costs and what you are really missing. For example, what we are missing this time of year is football. Its hard to justify $500-1000 a year in cable when we don't really watch much other TV. So my guy has been catching up on the high-lights online or watching games other places. We're also looking into getting this $30 thing our friends told us about so that we could actually watch it at home. But looking at it as a chunk of money rather than the small amount a month I think really keeps things in perspective.

Also, thinking on others and what they are going through, makes me realize just how easy I have it. I've been thinking through this video a lot lately as we are entering the holiday season: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVqqj1v-ZBU&feature=player_embedded.

I have found that I don't need to own something to appreciate it's beauty. I also try to stay mindful of how little most of the world has. If I curtail my wants, I have more to share for their needs.

Regarding wants, due to spending 3 years getting out of debt ( 4 years ago now!), my motto has been, probably, rather drastic. " If I didn't have this or that, will I still be alive tomorrow?" Needs are different from wants and that is something I have to remember, especially when money is tight.

I am sick and no longer have the wants like healthy person does. I currently have too much to care for I don't need anything new except for non-breakable dishes I drop them. Or less clutter all around. I am throwing away my life. My wants are reasonable a pressure canner to help keep me healthy. Things in my life are causing me grief I fall easily. Oh, and don't get me wrong I am not an elderly person just a person that has balance and health issues. So, less is so much more to me these days. Enjoy your health it is something a lot of us take for granted.