One of my biggest extravagances that I justified as a necessity was pedicures - every 3 weeks on the dot. I love them. A whole lot.
Since deciding to get out of debt, I have stopped having them. I miss them. Terribly.
I promised myself I would "reward" myself with one of them for my birthday, which is coming up next week. Now that the time is here, as much as I miss my peds, and as AWFUL as my feet are looking these days (have you ever walked barefoot at home and had your feet pick up the rugs that you walk over 'cause they're so dry and scaly they catch on anything that isn't locked down?), I don't wanna get the pedicure. It's an extravagance that I don't NEED.
It's amazing - this need vs. want has REALLY settled itself in my brain. I've never struggled with it in the past. All my wants were, in my mind, needs because hey - who was going to dispute me? Certainly not myself!
Myself is now disputing everything. It's awesome. My feet don't think so, but my heart and mind do and my wants are dwindling. No, that's not true. My wants are definitely still here. Strong and loud. But they're no longer needs (in my mind) and that is helping me fight this battle.
Now I want to win the war.
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2 comments:
I have some sand paper above the washing machine. And polish under my sink. Okay, I know how much you love the massage part. I have a foot massager on the floor in my bedroom (next to the bathroom door). Have it. And it won't cost you a dime.
OKAY. I'm shutting up now.
I'M SO stinkin' proud of you!!!
It's Diane. Good Luck on your endeavor!!!
The August Ensign had a neat little needs vs. wants article in the Random Sampler. You might want to cut it out and put in your wallet. Here is the article:
Needs or Wants
Rebecca Swegle, “Needs or Wants,” Ensign, Aug. 2007, 75
During our marriage, we have managed to stick to a budget through a variety of methods. We carefully track our finances with budgeting software and have designated one person to be in charge. This doesn’t mean that person has to become the “money police” and approve all purchases. It just means that person informs the family if we’re going over budget in any areas.
It’s also important to adequately designate “needs” and “wants.” To remedy unnecessary spending, we first ask ourselves some of the following questions:
• Am I spending this money just to impress someone else?
• Is the old item worn out or beyond repair?
• Can I do this project myself instead of paying someone to do it?
• Do I have money to pay cash for this right now, or will it require going into debt?
• Is a gift necessary, or should I just send a card?
Rebecca Swegle, Arizona
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