Wants vs Needs

[LuxLiving]

Joan, when I have a question about whether or not our tires are getting down to the nub, I will ask 1)my step-dad who is a professional car guy and/or 2)my mechanic. Neither of these guys are selling tires so I trust their opinion about the road-worthiness of the tires.

[myrdale]

My best advice about "wants" is never rush to buy anything. Think good and hard about it. Is it worth the money you will pay? Is it something that you will use for years or will it get trashed in 6 months?

Especially on cars, spend alot of time figuring out what you really like. Find a car that is really you (and really your budget!!). Once you buy that car think of it like a marriage. Fall in love with your car. Have it, hold it and forsake it for no other. In 6 years, I have seen no car that comes anywhere near comparing to my little yellow Frontier. I love it, I love it, I love it!!

Yes it is only a truck and in 40 years it will be in a scrap yard, but it is mine. I am amazed by people who buy a car, then spend the next year complaining about it only to buy another and do the same again.

As for me? A freshman in college, I could have had a new truck on day one. Instead I put it off for a year and ahalf until I found exactly what I wanted. And if you didn't catch the hint above, I ain't looked back once.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Lux, I consider it my own personal failing in life to have no friends who are mechanics. Gosh, I'm looking for a smilie of a shade tree mechanic throwing extra engine parts out from under the hood! Heck I'd settle for a lawn mower mechanic, but I don't know if the smilie for that would be as cute.

[flavor]

I drive a honda accord, 5 years old, with only 17,000 miles on it. Since I'm a stay at home mom, and hardly drive anywhere, I'll probably end up driving it another 50 years. Can I afford a more expensive car? Yes. Do I really need one? No. Do I want another car? Sometimes I say yes, but when I really think about it I always go with a big no.

The reason I somethimes want a new or better car, is because I see all these other moms driving expensive suvs. But listening to their financial stories, I know I'm better off then they are. My house is paid off, my car is paid off, and believe it or not I have 0 debt.

Waiting to pick up my child from preschool, I couldn't help but overhear one pregnant mom saying to another mom, that they'll continue living in their one bedroom rental apartment after her second child is born so they can save some money. As we walked out of the building, I noticed the pregnant mom had parked right next to my honda. She was driving a very new huge Lexus suv.

[maat55]

Originally Posted by flavor

I drive a honda accord, 5 years old, with only 17,000 miles on it. Since I'm a stay at home mom, and hardly drive anywhere, I'll probably end up driving it another 50 years. Can I afford a more expensive car? Yes. Do I really need one? No. Do I want another car? Sometimes I say yes, but when I really think about it I always go with a big no.

The reason I somethimes want a new or better car, is because I see all these other moms driving expensive suvs. But listening to their financial stories, I know I'm better off then they are. My house is paid off, my car is paid off, and believe it or not I have 0 debt.

Waiting to pick up my child from preschool, I couldn't help but overhear one pregnant mom saying to another mom, that they'll continue living in their one bedroom rental apartment after her second child is born so they can save some money. As we walked out of the building, I noticed the pregnant mom had parked right next to my honda. She was driving a very new huge Lexus suv.

That is so sad. I would be embarrassed to get out of a lexus to go into an small apartment. Better financial priorities taught at an early age, is just as important as getting an education. One of my daughters gets it, the other I'm working on.

[Tim_1983]

you are better off sticking with an old car and saving the money to pay for the rising cost gas!

[m3racer]

Originally Posted by m3racer

Good point maat55. Maybe I should start thinking that paying off my student loans is a want.

Sorry to bring this thread back from the grave but I couldn't help it. The good news is that I paid off $100k in student loans this year. The bad news is that I felt nauseated after making that payment. I know it was the right thing to do but I feel like I've got nothing to show for it. I still owe ~$99k in SL and I still haven't purchased a new "used" car. Of course I just spotted the car that I "want" at a stealership. Life sucks!!!!

[maat55]

Originally Posted by m3racer

Sorry to bring this thread back from the grave but I couldn't help it. The good news is that I paid off $100k in student loans this year. The bad news is that I felt nauseated after making that payment. I know it was the right thing to do but I feel like I've got nothing to show for it. I still owe ~$99k in SL and I still haven't purchased a new "used" car. Of course I just spotted the car that I "want" at a stealership. Life sucks!!!!

At a boy.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Congratulations!

[snafu]

Because I live in the snow belt similar to Buffalo, NY, I want a Hyundai Sante Fe. [ it's cheap, well made, and heavy]. With all the changes being planned [electric, propane] I don't choose to replace my car at this time

[bobbydole]

I am facing the same dilemma. I am thinking about getting a 2-seater sports car, but can't get myself to put the down the money yet. I am 29 and I drive a 2002 BMW. I love my car, but one side of me is saying enjoy life and buy the 2 seater, and another side is saying don't spend your hard earned money on stuff you don't really need.

I am doing well financially. I have no debt and have about 100K saved up, so I can just buy the 2 seater out right. It'll run me about 35K. Everyday, for the past 2 months I look at the car listing to see if it's still there...

[GREENBACK]

Originally Posted by bobbydole

I am facing the same dilemma. I am thinking about getting a 2-seater sports car, but can't get myself to put the down the money yet. I am 29 and I drive a 2002 BMW. I love my car, but one side of me is saying enjoy life and buy the 2 seater, and another side is saying don't spend your hard earned money on stuff you don't really need.

I am doing well financially. I have no debt and have about 100K saved up, so I can just buy the 2 seater out right. It'll run me about 35K. Everyday, for the past 2 months I look at the car listing to see if it's still there...

I guess the real question might be is this "want" of yours a true passion or will you be ready for something else in a year or two? You sound like you can afford this so that's not a big issue but make sure this is a real passionate want versus a passing fancy.

I think it's ok to satisfy real wants when you can afford them and you're sure it's something that you'll still enjoy many years down the road instead of something you won't care about in a year.

[cptacek]

Originally Posted by m3racer

Sorry to bring this thread back from the grave but I couldn't help it. The good news is that I paid off $100k in student loans this year. The bad news is that I felt nauseated after making that payment. I know it was the right thing to do but I feel like I've got nothing to show for it. I still owe ~$99k in SL and I still haven't purchased a new "used" car. Of course I just spotted the car that I "want" at a stealership. Life sucks!!!!

Oh my goodness. You paid off $99k this year!



Well, unless it you got the money via drug deals or something

[Alex_Adviser]

In my opinion, Needs are to be fulfilled and are the primary spending's from your income, for your wants to come true, you need to have a proper planning and savings to accomplish them.

I have never had problems with both my needs and wants, i properly manage my finances and avoid unwanted expenses and wants at the same time. I am very much satisfied with my car but still get excited on seeing a new car. But currently i don't want it, though i can afford it. I know that i still have time to buy a new car.

Regards

[maclover]

I often think about my wants all time.

The hygienists that I work in the office with, actually drive better cars than I do. Actually even the assistants do. I drive a 2002 Ford Ranger with no options, no cassette player, CD player, cruise control and manual windows and locks. It works fine.

One of our hygienist drives one of those convertible Lexus. And I have an assistant driving a BMW. And all of them drive better cars than mine.

The staff always pokes at me for being "cheap." But I don't have the stress about my finances like they do. Most of them live paycheck to paycheck, can't wait till we get paid again, cause they're out by payday

It comes down to what we value most and our discipline. Obviously recklessly spending is not good. But we should also allow ourselves to purchase some of our wants within reason. And be responsible about it. A lot of you may have read my thread about getting a MINI cooper...

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by maclover

he hygienists that I work in the office with, actually drive better cars than I do. Actually even the assistants do. I drive a 2002 Ford Ranger with no options, no cassette player, CD player, cruise control and manual windows and locks. It works fine.

One of our hygienist drives one of those convertible Lexus. And I have an assistant driving a BMW. And all of them drive better cars than mine.

The staff always pokes at me for being "cheap." But I don't have the stress about my finances like they do. Most of them live paycheck to paycheck, can't wait till we get paid again, cause they're out by payday

You've just described my office precisely. My staff isn't driving luxury cars (except for my partner who has a leased BMW) but they all have newer cars than me. I've been there over 8 years and I'm the only one still driving the same car I had when I started there.

[Wink]

There are 2 "wants" that I just cannot sacrifice. One is premium coffee, and the other is having my hair done at my favorite salon. I gave up everything else, but it has so been worth it to be in relatively good financial shape. Looking back, I'm really not missing all those "wants" that I gave up!

[tripods68]

No premium coffee (morning trip to Starbucks) for over a year now. That saved me about $1100 per year.

I try to ignore the "wants" and focus on something else mundane stuff to better usage of my time, like rearanging/cleaning around the garage, catch-up on to-do-list, detailing cars, taking my kids to the park, exercising. Its not easy but it helps me grounded and these activities are reliefs. Its not easy but so far we are managed to live a simply life without cc or SL debt. We still have a mortgage, but we look forward next year in paying off completely our van next year. That alone will free up another $700 a month, so we look forward to 2009. A no car payment year will be our first time in marriage history LOL!

[disneysteve]

I've said it before, possibly even in this thread, and I'll say it again. There is nothing at all wrong with having wants as long as you can afford them.

I posted yesterday about my new hard drive. That was a want. I didn't need it. I could have lived just fine without it, as I have for the past 5 years.

Most clothes that we all buy are wants as we all have closets and dressers filled with clothes already.

Going out to eat is almost always a want. Vacations are wants. Seeing a movie, even renting a DVD, is a want.

As long as you can afford what you are buying, not carry CC debt, pay your bills in full each month and save adequately for the future, enjoy your wants.

[Wink]

[quote=tripods68;199983]No premium coffee (morning trip to Starbucks) for over a year now. That saved me about $1100 per year.

I should have been more specific. I purchase a blend of specialty coffee that is a little pricey, but I brew it at home. No daily Starbucks for me. I agree that daily trips to the coffee shop, or eating lunch out every day can certainly add up.