What don't you "need"?

[jodi]

I was thinking about this in the shower this morning (isn't that where all great thinking is done??) - I haven't used shaving cream for years now, since I found that plain soap works just as well for me.

Are there things that advertisers suggest we "need" that you have found it easy to do without? I'm sure there are many...baby food also comes to mind. Our grandparents never had it and our parents survived...yes, it's a matter of convenience, but I have also found many parents who really think they need to use it, while it's a relatively new phenomenon. I supposes disposable diapers also fall into this category, but I am guilty of taking the convenient road on that one.

[shelbylovesmelby]

Re: What don't you "need"?

I hear you on the baby items Jodi. The same with giving your child lil 4oz containers of juice that say gerber on it. What happened to packing up the diaper bag w/ a bottle of milk/formula & some diluted juice already made?

I don't need cable or satalite TV. I'd enjoy it in the winter when I go out less. But I really don't need another bill.

I don't need caller id, voice mail, & call waiting on our land line. No one really calls us that much & if it's an emergency or urgent they have our cell phones to call us if we are online.

TMI - Some of the feminine hygene products. My ob gyn says most of them are unnecessary & can cause more problems than anything. Afterall our bodies survived for hundreds of years w/o having the varous summers eve & the alike products.

I don't use shaving cream on my legs as I forget to shave half the time. Then again alot of days I'm thankful to get a shower nonetheless worry about that detal *L*

Though I do prefer disposable diapers, but I don't buy brand name I buy wal-marts brand so atleast I'm not paying up to double for the same quality product & to end up in the same place

[cschin4]

Re: What don't you "need"?

There are many things in life we don't "need". And, alot of us should look at needs vs. wants. But, I don't "need" an umbrella, after all we survived 1000's of years without one, etc. You can make that argument with just about anything. I found baby food in jars to be cheap and convenient, so I did use it. And, some prepackaged things ARE more convenient. As long as you realize you are paying a price for that convenience then I see no problem. 90% of the things we have we don't "need". But, I don't want to live with only what I need. I buy what I like and enjoy and can afford. But, if I had to go into debt to get something, then I am sure I could find a way to live without it.

[pearlieq]

Re: What don't you "need"?

Makeup, creams, potions, lotions, perfumes, froofy washes, hair goo, and all the other detritus marketed toward women!!!

I don't need to paint my face, contort my hair, or spray on flowery scents to be acceptable and attractive. I know some women enjoy it, but the older I get, the sillier it all seems. Why on earth would I spend that much time and money altering my appearance? I'm clean and reasonably well groomed. That's plenty.

I don't mean to judge anyone who happens to like these things. That's their money and their choice. And I will get the rare manicure, because that does make me happy. But something about women I know who can't leave the house "without putting their face on" (what's wrong with the one God gave you?) or who spend 45 minutes every morning concocting some kind unnatural hairstyle and actually get depressed when they're having a bad hair day just make me very sad.

I'm a good, intelligent, accomplished woman with a wonderful spouse, family, and friends and a very nice life. What do I have to prove to anyone?

[Mathew Green]

Re: What don't you "need"?

There are many things in life we don't "need". And, alot of us should look at needs vs. wants. But, I don't "need" an umbrella, after all we survived 1000's of years without one, etc. You can make that argument with just about anything. I found baby food in jars to be cheap and convenient, so I did use it. And, some prepackaged things ARE more convenient. As long as you realize you are paying a price for that convenience then I see no problem. 90% of the things we have we don't "need". But, I don't want to live with only what I need. I buy what I like and enjoy and can afford. But, if I had to go into debt to get something, then I am sure I could find a way to live without it.

Well said.

And as it happens, I have never owned an umbrella, though I used to own a rain jacket when I was living more of my life outdoors. Now when it rains, I just get wet. I figure nothing in my pockets will be hurt and it certainly won't damage my body any.

On the other hand, I do use shaving cream -- plain old Barbasol 'original'. It is SO much better than soap, especially since I only shave about once a week and my bread tends to be tough as a result. I used plain Ivory soap for years, but after switching to Barbasol I will never go back.

Likewise, I totally love my Gilette Mach3 razor. It has three blades and the handle and head are comfortable, but the main reason I love it is because the back of the head is totally open. There is no way this razor can clog and the open design not only makes it easier to rinse the blades off after use, it also promotes rapid drying (IMO micro-corosion is the primary killer of razor blades, especially for 'occasional' shavers like me.)

So while there are a lot of things that none of us really 'need', our lives are a whole lot better when we allow ourselves the simple pleasures that are readily available at a fairly reasonable price.

[kealina]

Re: What don't you "need"?

Makeup, creams, potions, lotions, perfumes, froofy washes, hair goo, and all the other detritus marketed toward women!!!

I don't need to paint my face, contort my hair, or spray on flowery scents to be acceptable and attractive. I know some women enjoy it, but the older I get, the sillier it all seems. Why on earth would I spend that much time and money altering my appearance? I'm clean and reasonably well groomed. That's plenty.

I don't mean to judge anyone who happens to like these things. That's their money and their choice. And I will get the rare manicure, because that does make me happy. But something about women I know who can't leave the house "without putting their face on" (what's wrong with the one God gave you?) or who spend 45 minutes every morning concocting some kind unnatural hairstyle and actually get depressed when they're having a bad hair day just make me very sad.

I'm a good, intelligent, accomplished woman with a wonderful spouse, family, and friends and a very nice life. What do I have to prove to anyone?

lol... i applaud your confidence...also how you expressed yourself without being judgemental...
while i admit to a slight weakness for girly things i am very far from those you mentioned so i don't mind your point at all...i think it can really get out of hand and i've known women who just make me shake my head and feel sad too... luckily, despite everything, i've always been happy with the way i am...

as for stuff we don't need... there is a whole heck of a lot of stuff, way to long to list or even think about, although most of it does make our lives easier/more fun... i don't know about baby stuff yet as that is a few years off but i do know our parents will buy us too much baby stuff no matter what we say... but yeah, i admit to having and using lots of unneeded stuff over the years...

[PrincessPerky]

Re: What don't you "need"?

So long as we notice they are 'pleasures' and enjoy them as such..not chores..like makeup, I fall into the category of folk who thought she aught to paint up, and I thought I was a failure for not really liking it or being good at it, or even doing it much, now I know it is a fun thing to play with if you want, it is not a neccessity, I always did get plenty of compliments without it..no reason to think I am poor for not doing it, or any less a woman.

simple pleasures are find to indulge in (assuming you have the cash) but never go on thinking here is something wrong with not liking them.

and btw, one of my simple pleasures is long hair, it is an indulgence I choose

[jodi]

Re: What don't you "need"?

Looking back, I can see that I worded this too broadly! It is true that basically anything can be considered a want rather than a need. I guess what I was trying to get at are those little things that for some reason, you always used without evaluating the reason why. Why did I use shaving cream? Because everyone else did - I thought that was the way it was done, period. Why did I feed my kids baby food? Because that's what all the magazines, feeding guides, parenting websites, etc. said. But then you take a step back, try doing without, and find how easy it can be. Or maybe you decide that it's worth the extra money. There's nothing wrong with either choice.
Another example: prepackaged mixes. I grew up on pancakes made from a mix. I never thought to do it any other way, until one day I ran out of mix. I really wanted pancakes, so I made them from scratch and was totally surprised at how easy it was - and how much better they were. I never went back.

[PrincessPerky]

Re: What don't you "need"?

K well if you want a silly laugh, I remember the first time I heard yo could make pasta..I htought it was some kind of comercial thing

I also remember the first time I heard of someone making beef stroganof without the box..and it tastes nothign like the box! soo good.

The first time I realized maple syrup was a real food, not always corn syrup, I was just a kid, but it was still a shocker. and milk, has no ingredients, I had just noticed that foods had ingredients (some new law came out regarding them) but milk had none, my dad asked if I thought it should say 'grass' or something

I remember silly things I learned sometimes, I still remember the first time I learned to multiply..'thats it!'!

I also thought it was odd when I learned shampoo didn't used to be different, you used the soap..not that I plan on giving mine up!

[Mathew Green]

Re: What don't you "need"?

I remember silly things I learned sometimes, I still remember the first time I learned to multiply..'thats it!'!

I still remember exactly where I was the first time I saw the moon during the day. I just stood there and stared and stared at it until I was totally certain that it was the moon and not just an oddly shaped cloud or something. Then I went back to what I had been doing, and never mentioned to anyone that I had seen the moon, because everyone knows that the sun comes out in the daytime and the moon only comes out at night.

[PrincessPerky]

Re: What don't you "need"?

Oh yeah I remember that day too! I did tell though, checked with my parents to see fi this was normal or like an eclipse, doesn't happen often.

[MonkeyMama]

Re: What don't you "need"?

Makeup, creams, potions, lotions, perfumes, froofy washes, hair goo, and all the other detritus marketed toward women!!!

I don't need to paint my face, contort my hair, or spray on flowery scents to be acceptable and attractive. I know some women enjoy it, but the older I get, the sillier it all seems. Why on earth would I spend that much time and money altering my appearance? I'm clean and reasonably well groomed. That's plenty.

I don't mean to judge anyone who happens to like these things. That's their money and their choice. And I will get the rare manicure, because that does make me happy. But something about women I know who can't leave the house "without putting their face on" (what's wrong with the one God gave you?) or who spend 45 minutes every morning concocting some kind unnatural hairstyle and actually get depressed when they're having a bad hair day just make me very sad.

I'm a good, intelligent, accomplished woman with a wonderful spouse, family, and friends and a very nice life. What do I have to prove to anyone?

Amen.

I like the inferences that I must be stinky and grotesque because I refuse to spend the large sum of money that goes along with these things. I am actually quite attractive thank you. OR maybe that's it, I just don't need all this stuff due to my natural beauty, eh? That's what hubby says.
Frankly either way I don't think it matters because everyone is a little too worried about themselves to care what you are doing - that is what I find.

Actually use clothe dipaers too - but we use a service which is the really lazy route!

But yeah, I don't really find I agree with most of what society/commercials says we need.

[Gruntina]

Re: What don't you "need"?

Amen.

I like the inferences that I must be stinky and grotesque because I refuse to spend the large sum of money that goes along with these things. I am actually quite attractive thank you. OR maybe that's it, I just don't need all this stuff due to my natural beauty, eh? That's what hubby says.
Frankly either way I don't think it matters because everyone is a little too worried about themselves to care what you are doing - that is what I find.

Actually use clothe dipaers too - but we use a service which is the really lazy route!

But yeah, I don't really find I agree with most of what society/commercials says we need.

I stop using makeup and fancy hilight and etc. but still keep my self clean and groom. Myself I prefer the simple routine and enjoy what is around me. But I do have to admit, I am treated differently at my work and at the social environment around me. I have to wait longer for services, don't get discounts like i used to, business network tends to hang out with those that have more details put together and etc. I think if I was to interview for jobs again, i would put on the makeup and the whole routine as it shows you pay attention to details. I hate that the working world is that way but it is wheter we like it or not. Looks are very important.

[MonkeyMama]

Re: What don't you "need"?

That is the thing - I know a lot of people say that but I just haven't noticed that at all. Then again no one in my office really wears makeup, etc. Nor in any office I have worked. I do have a friend who insists she gets better service and I truly think it is in her head. She is beautiful without makeup. Maybe there is more to it.

I am all for being clean and groomed. LOL. But it doesn't take much.

I am still in my 20s - ask me in my 40s if I am wearing a little more makeup, etc. I have pondered it because in theory I think it is really silly to cover your grey and I always say I don't think I will. But to be competitive in the job market, I am resigned to the fact I may just have to cover the grey, etc. For now I guess I have youth on my side so I enjoy not having to primp much. My feeling may change as I age...

[pearlieq]

Re: What don't you "need"?

I hate that the working world is that way but it is wheter we like it or not. Looks are very important.

Even if it were "that way", I don't have to accept or perpetuate it!

I've gotten every job I've ever had without makeup, and every promotion and commendation thereafter.

Substance and talent are so much more important that looks. Plus, would you really want to work somewhere that would actually use makeup as a criteria for judgment? Can you imagine what those kind of people must be like to work with every day?

I don't see wearing makeup as paying attention to details. I am clean, my hair is neat, and I'm dressed appropriately in clothes that are coordinated and well cared-for. I think that demonstrates plenty of attention to detail and respect for the gravity of the situation.

Also, I wouldn't patronise a business that gave me lackluster service. If you were kept waiting and ignored, why would "Gee, I guess I should highlight my hair and wear more makeup" come to mind?

Wouldn't "Gee, guess I should find somewhere else to spend my money" be a more logical conclusion?