Spending Less: Defining Needs & Wants

When I made it a goal in January to spend less this year, I knew  it wasn’t going to be easy. Why? Because I really like spending money and I really like buying things. When partnered, these two ‘really likes’ can be a lethal combination.

Today I am ready to admit that prior to setting my goal, I was in a very unhealthy pattern of buying things just because I could {meaning I had the money} and I wanted to. I did this without any thought or accountability.

I have thought a lot about how this behavior may have appeared to my children: irresponsible, selfish, thoughtless.  My Hubby and I are both concerned with teaching our children to be judicious in their spending, especially in a world where kids seem to think they’re entitled to any and everything they want.  But I was no different in my thinking.

Trying to spend less means that now I am trying to carefully weigh the reasons behind the purchases I make.  I literally ask myself, “Is this something I need?” or “Is this something that I just want?”  Now there are times, even still, that I have bought something I want. I’m human, people.  But I am finding myself more and more walking around a store with a ‘want’ item and then putting it back before heading to the checkout because I realized I just don’t need it. I don’t need another sweater. I don’t need another pillow. I don’t need more craft supplies. And I certainly don’t need another blasted candle!

Before, I bought many things simply because they were a great deal.  I have almost completely quit that habit.  The lure of the amazing sale is no longer a temptation to me.  I’ve learned that many times the items I bought at rock bottom prices ended up in a box heading to the Goodwill after a short period of time. Just because it’s on sale doesn’t mean I need it or will use it or even really like it that much.

I hope you understand that I don’t think there is anything wrong with buying yourself something just because you want it.  I think it’s healthy and many times well-deserved. My problem is that I was doing this on too frequent a basis.

This changed way of thinking – buying things on a need basis instead of a want basis – is blessing us in several ways.  It means more money goes into our savings, which is always a good thing. It means less junk coming into the house to clutter our lives and spirits. And it means that I am an example to my kids that I don’t get everything I want, I don’t have to have it all right now, and it’s okay.

Do you want to spend less? Defining needs versus wants and then focusing your efforts in this area is a great start. Here are a few of the questions I asked myself to determine if I really understood the difference between needs and wants:

• How many items on your last Target receipt were needs?
• How many items on your last Target receipt were wants or impulse buys?
• How frequently do you donate toys, clothes or housewares to Goodwill or other charities?
• If you shop with a list, do you stick to it?
• Do you spend when you’re stressed?
• Do you spend when you’re bored?
• Do you find yourself buying something only to come home and find you already multiple versions of it or something like it?
• Do you find yourself trying to justify a purchase to your spouse, partner or even yourself?
• Do you hide purchases away for awhile so your spouse or partner won’t know about them?

Let me borrow from the 12-Step Programs for a minute and say that if you do a ‘searching and fearless inventory’ about your spending habits by asking these types of questions, it will really open your eyes! I did, and I needed to make some changes.

I took this picture of my blush yesterday because I thought it illustrated a great point:  I have a NEED for new blush.  My blush is almost completely gone and I am a pale, pale white woman. So I’ll be heading to the makeup aisle of Target to get some new blush. But I won’t be buying any new nail polish because I’ve already got 14 perfectly good half used bottles.

I need blush.  I want nail polish. Simple enough, right?