Wants and Needs

Great day yesterday! Had a good sleep, workout with the Mrs., and finally got up to the university for drop in gymnastics. The best $10 I have spent in a long time. It is like being a kid again in there! The ground is forgiving and you are encouraged to flip and jump around like you are 4 years old again and haven't a care in the world. So much fun. Strongly suggest going to check something like this out if it is available in your area.
Planning on taking a Adult Recreational Gymnastics class in the next couple months, so I will let you know when I stomp my first back flip on flat ground!
Uyen made some Paleo Pork Fried rice last night as well as some Paleo Brownies! Both are pretty darn good I must say. A person could gobble up the whole batch of brownies in one sitting I am sure! Must be careful:)
Was flipping through the paper this AM and found myself, as usual, looking over the electronics adds. I love technology and all the little gadgets that are coming out these days. Some make your life run a little more seamless, while others seem to add to chaos. At the end of the day though, most are wants, not needs.
I am not one who can lecture anyone on good money management or spending, but finally think I am getting a bit of a grip on it, 30 years into life! I have definitely spent my share of money throughout my life on useless crap or things I did not need. I would love to go back and invest even half of it in some sort of savings plan, but the past is the past. Nothing I can do about it now other than learn from it, rather than dwell on it.

All you need. Family,

I have found in the past few years that looking at purchases from a want or a need perspective, really helps curb unnecessary spending and debt. Although a few things have slipped by, it has really helped out. I like to justify things to myself all the time. While looking at things this way I have a hard time justifying buying certain things, because I can't justify the need for them.
For example, a $100.00 pair of jeans. Really? They got some yuppies name stitched in the waist line and this makes them worth that much. Ya, I know I do need some sort of pants, but not these particular types. You see I am a bit of an active person and look at the practicality and more importantly the functionality of all my clothing purchases now a days.

Family,

If I can't move, jump, squat, and run in them...........they are not for me. I want to be able to go out in them as well as go for hike and walk the dog in the same pair. And I am sorry, those designer, skin tight, ball huggers that would probably slowly saw a hole in my man hood if I needed to walk more than a city block, don't cut it:)
Sorry, a little off topic. A bit of a rant:) As I was saying, I try to break down purchases to wants and needs. I need GOOD food, water, a reliable vehicle, gas, a roof over my head, means of communication, and so on. These are quite obviously needs. A new TV, new cell phone every 6 months, alcohol, junk food, 23 pairs of shoes, going out for dinner 8 times a week, etc., are some examples of wants. These wants are things you can always go without.

The funny thing I have found while looking at all these wants, they usually are unhealthy for you in the long run. Wether it is some crap that you are putting in your body (candy, alcohol, bad food, etc.) or an excess of stuff that will just pile up around your place that you will have to deal with and worry about. It is all bad for you in the long run. Not to mention the debt that can come with some of these purchases. It's like adding a 1000 pound block to your back that you have to pack around everyday. Physically and mentally draining.
If it is not going to improve my life each and everyday, it is not worth it. No matter how good the sale is.

Be honest with yourself and you will find that less is really more most of the time.

Family,

And friends. None of which cost you a thing.