Comments on: Think about what you “have” to do

By: tara g

tara g — Fri, 15 May 2009 13:00:13 +0000

As much as I try to make “conscious” decisions with my money, I don’t always succeed. Thanks for the reminder this morning!

By: Gregg

Gregg — Fri, 15 May 2009 13:00:12 +0000

This is a concept I’m constantly working on with my two daughters. Sometimes, to take this idea a little further, we get into the state of wanting “X” because person A has that, then “Y” because person B has that, and “Z” because person C has THAT.

It’s easy to get into a self-pity party and thinking well EVERYONE has X, Y and Z when we are really comparing ourselves to three individuals. Chances are THOSE three don’t have X, Y and Z either!

I read in a book that the root of most unhappiness is comparisons, rather than enjoying the blessings and abilities that YOU have. I believe this is true, too.

Great post!

By: Ken

Ken — Tue, 05 May 2009 10:50:09 +0000

Mother Culture tells us that every thing is a NEED. Not true. We are wise to look at each purchase and aski if it is a need or a want. Good post!

By: Corporate Barbarian

Corporate Barbarian — Mon, 04 May 2009 17:12:35 +0000

People not only confuse a want with a need, they also never want to go backwards in regard to convenience. That’s why when you go car shopping, you’re always aware of the little extras that are thrown in for convenience, such as power windows, backup cameras, power locks, remote mirrors. You could live without them, but become so used to having them that you perceive them as a need rather than a want.

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 04 May 2009 16:18:19 +0000

People often think in terms of convenience, too often I think. If you have a second car and your initial one gets into an accident then the only reason you NEED to buy one is if the other one needs to be replaced.

Though there is a fine line that needs to be brought up sometimes the alternatives such as bussing it are highly inconvenient. For example my wife is likely to start travelling close to 40 miles accross the city to her job, without a car this is about 3+ hours of commuting. This would mean she doesn’t see our baby. Does she NEED a car, no. But she needs to see her child more than the cost of a car.

With that said its the spending on ‘needs’ that really are more wants than anything else that I think you’re talking about. Good post!