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

Spending Less

Retirement has its perks, but $$$ isn't one of them.  It calls for some budgeting and frugality for us.

Hubby and I made a good income when we worked and we spent pretty freely. Retirement seemed like a far-off dream.  We really should have planned better.  We did put money into a 401k account, but we could have saved more.  We also used credit cards quite liberally.....why not, we could pay the bills...at least the minimum. It took us years to figure out that was a bad idea.  We spent the last 5 years before retirement getting out of credit card debt...Yay us!

And then guess what?  We turned right around and started charging again.  We have a new game plan now.  Pay cash!  Pretty radical, right?

It is really hard for Hubby.  He is more impulsive than me.  He seems to have more difficulty with the difference between a "want" and a "need".  That is my new mantra when I go shopping.

Today I stopped at Joann's for a size knitting needle that I need (um.. want?).  That's all, but OH!... the yarn was calling my name.  I fondled it, I even smelled it.  I walked away and walked back again.  But I was strong....I escaped from the store with only my knitting needles.

Then I stopped at the dollar store for a few things.  I picked things up, and I put them back down.  I stuck to my list.  I got the Easter napkins I needed and the artificial tears eye drops, and the shampoo I needed for a dollar each.  These could easily cost several times that amount at the supermarket.  These sound like such small things, but it all adds up.

Tomorrow I will take stock of the food I have in my pantry and plan a weekly menu. I have much to learn about cooking frugally but I am working on it.  That's a post for another time.

I am excited to find I have 2 followers.  Thank you and welcome to Fourmi at Frugal in France, and Gillian at hookin' A yarn.  

'Til next time,

Peace