"Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love."
Mother Teresa

Thursday, July 16, 2015

I Want It.....I Need It

Since I retired 2 years ago I have been trying not to spend unnecessarily.  That is tricky at times....trying to decide if something is a want or a need.  
What is your definition of a need?  Is it only the basic necessities, like food, a place to live, etc?   Does yarn count as a necessity?  I ordered yarn today to make something for one of my granddaughters.  I feel guilty about it.  I have a closet full of various types and colors of yarn.  But I don't have the perfect yarn for this project.
In all honesty, she doesn't need what I want to make.  She has lots of clothes.  But she needs love.  After all, isn't that what a hand knit gift is?  It's a way of wrapping the recipient in love.....all nice and warm and cozy.
OK, I feel better now.  I'm not going to feel guilty....it is definitely a NEED.

I have been trying to think about need vs want for most of the things I buy.  It has definitely helped me cut down on spending.   I don't buy books anymore.  My daughter and a couple friends also have nook E-readers and some books can be loaned.  So I borrow from them or the library.  If I can't get it free I really don't need to read it.  The only exception for me will be the next book in the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon.  I will be waiting in line for that one!

I try to use this test whenever I want to buy something.  Sometimes its hard to differentiate between a want and a need.  Sometimes I rationalize, but its definitely cut down on my spending.  The more I think about what I really need, the more I realize that I don't need much to make me happy.

Sick kitty update:  Salem is almost completely recovered....except for the steroid shot he got making him think he is starving.  I hope that wears off soon.


           Granddaughter #3 giving him some love.

Til next time,
Peace

8 comments:

  1. For so many years we didn't have money for anything besides needs. Now, although we definitely aren't rich or anything close to it and could afford a very few wants, I find I don't want as much as I thought. I don't want to clean more or worry about taking care of more. Yarn is definitely a need! I would go crazy without it. :-)
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  2. I just bought some clothing and a tote from Vera Bradley-definitely not needs, but I wanted a long maxi dress or two. As far as yarn (and fabric). My son and I agreed that on our trip to Dalls he would pay one way and I would pay the other-and I have budgeted at least one hundred dollars for fabric for myself!

    Other than that my wants are not that much. At this point in my life, honestly I have mostly everything I need.

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  3. I have been trying to cut back myself, it is hard to do. But I think if you love yarn, and you make wonderful things it is important to buy because if you are like me it helps me stay calm, feel creative and not kill my family.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  4. I think yarn is a need for you. It makes you happy and its a great hobby. For me it'd be books. I don't buy very often but maybe 2-3 times a year and I really have to want it. I bought the "the life changing magic of tidying up" which is all the rage in minimalism blogs. I like some stuff about it but not all. Some of it culturally based. I do love to buy food stuff though and cooking stuff. Not a lot. But I did just get a mandolin. Was it a need, not really, but I've wanted one for a long time so I could cut vegetables a certain way.

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  5. Here's how I see it. IF I want it today, I wait till tomorrow. If I still want it tomorrow I wait another day. IF after 3 days I want it, I buy it. Yarn is such a good thing to buy. YOU MAKE something with it and you love the process. When My husband plays a round of golf, he pays for it and gets memories, nothing else.
    Knitting for gifts does not count !!!

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  6. Oh I love The Outlander books (though here the first book is called Cross Stitch, don't know why). I think yarn is definitely a necessity, necessary for one's happiness xx

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  7. Thoughtful post, Marilyn. I enjoy The Outlander books, too. Do you know the title of the new one?

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  8. Enjoy your blog and loved everyone's comments.Huggers to all!

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