The Ease Of Justifying Wants As Needs
I want a laptop computer. Really, really want one.
A laptop computer would make my life easier in so many ways. So I’ve been finding myself saying that I need a laptop. I look at what having the portability of a laptop would do for me, and turn that into “I need” instead of “I want”. Simply because something will enhance your life and you have a defined use and purpose for it does not mean that you need it. Most times, what you have already is more than sufficient, even if it does not have all the same features.
I find it really easy to turn I want into I need in my head and justify that. For example - I need a land line phone. Well, I have a cell phone (a pre-paid for emergencies) and I could use that for my phone line as well. Sure, I’d have to pay more attention to the length of my calls, but I do not truly need both phones. I just want the convenience of the landline because I hate talking on my cell phone.
This isn’t to say we should only get things we truly need and nothing we want. However, blinding oneself into believing that things are needs when they are really wants isn’t helping yourself. Going into things with eyes open, and understanding when something is a want vs a need, helps to be able to prioritize things and know when is a good time to say yes, and what can wait. For me - the laptop can wait. My desktop computer is perfectly functional, even if I can’t take it upstairs to tutor so I don’t have to make the kids leave their playroom (which is connected to my office) or take it to taekwondo with me so I can work on flies and promotional materials there instead of at home. The laptop can wait until we’re out of non-mortgage debt.
Although, I am starting to think a laptop would make an excellent birthday present next year… (hint hint). Now to just get out of debt by March…
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August 27th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
I am also very good at justifying wants as needs, but I am getting better at it. Can you save a little each month to work up to it?
August 27th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Absolutely agree… In fact, I’m currently thinking through “needing” a house, instead of renting an apartment… But, fortunately, my readership has pointed out that defining needs vs. wants has to be a priority!
August 27th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
I’m working on that very issue right now. What is a need vs. what is a want. I can justify the wants as needs reallly well..
August 27th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Only you know if the laptop is a want or a business necessity. It could be either.
About that land line…. last winter we had a worst than normal storm here (we have several every winter) This time the cell phone towers were blown askew and we were totally without cell phone coverage for 7 days. We were also without electricity and cable internet. During that time, we also lost long distance land line coverage, and could only make local phone calls. Trees were down, roads closed, some flooding - things were a mess. Let me tell you, I hadn’t wanted that landline but it came as a part of the limited internet access I signed up for. However, having the luxury of that landline in case of a medical emergency was a godsend! And to be able to check on local family and friends. I decided to keep that landline as I know it will be needed again in the future for just such a thing. The winter storms here are inevitable and cell coverage is still sketchy after last winter.
August 27th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
I think it’s human nature to be able to rationalise anything we want. I know I do it myself all the time. This year we’ve been trying to really watch our spending, so instead of just going out buying our wants (because we’ve told ourselves we need them), we write them on our wish list. Usually within a few weeks, we decide we didn’t really need the item after all. However, like you say, life’s no fun if you can’t buy some of the things you want. I’ve been working hard to save money on our real needs so we have some extra for our wants. I think it’s all about being aware of the little mind games we play on ourselves and finding ways to work around them.
August 28th, 2008 at 9:10 am
Oh yes, it’s so easy for me to turn “wants” into “needs.” Right now, I have a perfectly functional 2000 Chevrolet. However, my parents think I “need” a new car, and advertisers agree. Even my husband would like me to get a new car. However, if mine keeps running, why not keep it for two more years? In the meantime, we’ll be saving so that I won’t have to finance a very big loan when I actually do “need” a car!
August 28th, 2008 at 9:46 am
If it makes you feel any different, my laptop left the desk about 5 times in the past 3 years and only left the house twice. So the portability may not come in to play all that much.
August 28th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Have you considered maybe saving up a few of those snowflakes and put them aside for a laptop? You can get a decent laptop for $500 (and often less, depending on what you want). If you have a preference for a particular electronics store, you could ask people to give you giftcards for that store in lieu of other gifts to go towards a laptop. That’s what we all did for a friend who was saving up for a new tv. He was so thrilled to be closer to the goal and a few months later he had enough to get it.
August 28th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
I’ve taken this attitude to heart so strongly that I can’t even think of anything I *want* anymore. I’ve become a pain at birthday/xmas/special occasion time, because I’ve become so good at convincing myself that needs aren’t wants that wants have been too easy to explain away as unnecessary. I’m starting to long for the days when I was a kid and the Consumers Distrbuting catalog would come, and I’d *need* every new toy in it.
Although you’re starting to make me thing I want a laptop — it’s easy enough to stuff that want away.
August 28th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
Its incredibly easy to try justifying and convincing yourself that you ‘need’ something when you really only want it. Good for you for being patient with yourself and your wants. Knowing the difference between your wants and needs is an important distinction. I think a lot of people confuse the two and go out buying things they ‘need’ and end up hurting their financial situation.
As for the laptop I’ve been wanting one myself but there is no real ‘need’ or extra money for one at the moment. What I’m doing is treating some extra income from my site to save up for one - it’s taking a while but being patient stopping myself when I think its a need will really make that laptop more valuable to me when I do end up buying it or getting it.
September 2nd, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Back to my basic economics school! wooh! ” Want” & “Needs” . Funny how as we get older with more responsibilities our wants then turn to needs. And our needs becomes absolutely optional. I’ve always wanted a laptop for years now but I can only lay my hands on a desktop, not that I cannot afford it but my kids needs especially school & day care becomes my needs. So my laptop becomes a secondary need which never sees the sunlight.But hopefully I will be treating myself for xmas . Nice to share
monica