Wants vs Needs: How do you decide whether to purchase something on your want list?

[Wynona]

What are some guidelines you use when deciding to buy something you don't really need?

 

[St. Joseph]

Will i have enough if an emergency arises.
But usually with me, after bills and responsibilities are taken care of,whats left is mine. You work your butt off for that money,so treat yourself.

 

[Wynona]

I think the question I will ask myself for my wants is, "Will I value this a few days from now?"

 

[Debp]

What are some guidelines you use when deciding to buy something you don't really need?

If I don't really need it, I don't buy it. :)

Unless something is really necessary, "things" just become burdens as you age. Maybe it's different if you have children to leave some things to. But sometimes even your children don't want the stuff!

 

[Wynona]

If I don't really need it, I don't buy it. :)

Unless something is really necessary, "things" just become burdens as you age. Maybe it's different if you have children to leave some things to. But sometimes even your children don't want the stuff!

I think too much stuff definitely is not worth having. I wouldn't want my junk to vecome anyone else's problem.

 

[Debp]

I think too much stuff definitely is not worth having. I wouldn't want my junk to vecome anyone else's problem.

I was never a buyer. But my mom tended to buy stuff. I would always ask "do we really need it?"
Finally I gave up asking. It's funny because then she stopped buying so much.

I have given a lot of stuff away to thrift stores throughout the years. And some items to people I like.
But if I ever have to move, it's still some stuff to deal with.

 

[Wynona]

I was never a buyer. But my mom tended to buy stuff. I would always ask "do we really need it?"
Finally I gave up asking. It's funny because then she stopped buying so much.

I have given a lot of stuff away to thrift stores throughout the years. And some items to people I like.
But if I ever have to move, it's still some stuff to deal with.

There is a recent trend called minimalism that really inspired me to donate a lot of my stuff and not buy as many things.

I like the idea of only having things that you use or love.

 

[DuckieLady]

There is a recent trend called minimalism that really inspired me to donate a lot of my stuff and not buy as many things.

I like the idea of only having things that you use or love.

Aside from home repairs, I'm trying not to spend on daily stuff, unless it's extreme high quality and I can depend on it lasting years.

Seems like most things are massively produced, cheaply made, and set to wear out. I think a lot of that has to do with these fake brands that have come out with quarter machine quality, and now it turned me into a brand snob.

Not to mention, a lot of mass produced products are entirely unethical and toxic.

I don't really *need* much anymore. Except today I need a balaclava. But I have a cashmere poncho I know I'll never wear (I thrifted cashmere on a good deal over the summer and it came as a lot) so if time allows, I'll get out my machine and make one. I'm out of practice but I'll try.

I have a wool beanie I crocheted years ago with repeated use. It's still excellent. The right fibers and fabrics make a huge difference and unless you do it yourself, you don't have a lot of control over the quality.

When bell peppers went up to $5.99 each, I took out the seeds and planted them.

Now we wait.


(Only problem is my plants are in my sunroom and now it's snowing.. so.. we'll have to figure that out and really fast, too.)

 

[Wynona]

I don't really *need* much anymore. Except today I need a Baclava. But I have a cashmere poncho I know I'll never wear (I thrifted cashmere on a good deal over the summer and it came as a lot) so if time allows, I'll get out my machine and make one. I'm out of practice but I'll try.

Do you sew clothes for yourself or altar them? I have asked for my own sewing machine this year.

 

[Lambano]

There is a recent trend called minimalism that really inspired me to donate a lot of my stuff and not buy as many things.

I like the idea of only having things that you use or love.

Yeah, I'm finding having all this "stuff" around that I don't love and rarely use is mentally oppressive. "But I might NEED it tomorrow...."

 

[Rockerduck]

Do you sew clothes for yourself or altar them? I have asked for my own sewing machine this year.

sewing machines are cheap now days, as no one sews like the women of yesteryear. I'm sure someone is willing to give you one. "if its free, its for me" is a good mentality with wisdom.

 

[Wynona]

sewing machines are cheap now days, as no one sews like the women of yesteryear. I'm sure someone is willing to give you one. "if its free, its for me" is a good mentality with wisdom.

Yeah? Thanks for the tip! Ill look into some buy nothing groups and see if someone will offer one.

 

[MA2444]

What are some guidelines you use when deciding to buy something you don't really need?

Sometimes I just ask the Lord. It seems like he always says no at the grocery store, lol.

Other stuff...not always. I might need it one day! And if I dont then my family might.

 

[DuckieLady]

Do you sew clothes for yourself or altar them? I have asked for my own sewing machine this year.

I rarely use my machine, honestly. I have made loose pajama pants and a bag. Once in a blue moon a coworker will ask me if I can fix something, so earlier this year I replaced a zipper. I am not good with other alterations at all. Lol

I usually follow video tutorials that show measurements. I'm not great with patterns. I prefer crochet. It takes longer but something crocheted can last 10+ years. You just have to use a fabric shaver from time to time.

I have to wear special sizing so I use ThredUp and select the sizing, sort from low to high, excellent quality and new tags only, and select the brands I want.

You can get good clothes for like $3. I bought a winter coat and paid about $20 and it came new with the price tag for $144. So since I focus on quality I don't really need a lot of clothes. Just a few.

 

[MA2444]

Will i have enough if an emergency arises.
But usually with me, after bills and responsibilities are taken care of,whats left is mine. You work your butt off for that money,so treat yourself.

I can relate to this!

The Lord did tell me one time though, that, didnt you give your life to me? I said yes...then He says so it belongs to Me, that's my business.

Back in old Testament it was a 10% Tithe, but after Jesus came and paid the price...it's all His now. Bought and paid for. So they way my poor self figures it 10% is only a place to start when budgeting small amounts of money! It is all His.

 

[MA2444]

I was never a buyer. But my mom tended to buy stuff. I would always ask "do we really need it?"
Finally I gave up asking. It's funny because then she stopped buying so much.

I have given a lot of stuff away to thrift stores throughout the years. And some items to people I like.
But if I ever have to move, it's still some stuff to deal with.

I got lucky. When my wife left to divorce me she wound up leaving all of the household stuff behind so I got to sell a lot of it off at my garage sale, (and then the Angel came and over paid me for a bunch of junk! Praise the Lord!) Then when it came time to move to Ohio I was doing good to even rent a trailer so I had to leave a lot of stuff behind ina storage locker. I told my two sons they can have it all. So all I brought with me was my most valuable stuff. So I got to start over!

 

[MA2444]

Do you sew clothes for yourself or altar them? I have asked for my own sewing machine this year.

I got one of those. I dont know how to thread the bobbin thing right even using the manual. It's weird. I dont have that gene I guess, lol!

 

[MA2444]

Yeah, I'm finding having all this "stuff" around that I don't love and rarely use is mentally oppressive. "But I might NEED it tomorrow...."

I hear you Brother. I stopped buying so much stuff. I'm very wary of a lot of new products too. So I try to prepare for the worst and hold hope that I wont be here for the worst of it. I might have to go through the Great Trib? And if I dont, then praise the Lord I have a few things that my left behind family may need.

 

[MA2444]

Yeah? Thanks for the tip! Ill look into some buy nothing groups and see if someone will offer one.

I'd give you this one I have and cant work if it wasnt so heavy. It might cost 40 bucks or more to ship it. So...come pick it up!

 

[Wynona]

I'd give you this one I have and cant work if it wasnt so heavy. It might cost 40 bucks or more to ship it. So...come pick it up!

Ill ask my sister to pick it up for me. That way you save 40 bucks and I save an interstate road trip!