A "WANT" OR A "NEED"???

We got up at 5:00 AM this morning to head to town for the "After Thanksgiving" Sales. When my sweetie asked me if we should drive 2 cars I said "Definitely not". I have come to apoint of realizing that over half of what we have bought at these annual sales are more of a "want" than a need. You see those great bargains and think you just have to take advantage of them because you may need them "someday" or you just want them now, for such a great price! At least, that is how it has been for us.

So we jumped into the car and headed to town, amazed at how much less trafic there seemed to be this year. Could it be that others have also awakened to the "Wants bs. Needs" factor or is the economy really tight right now or are people just "burned out" by their bad experiences on this day in years gone by? We went to one store ... TOGETHER. While he waited in line for the "super bargains" tickets that were being handed out to redeem at the Courtesy Desk, I went and picked up the other items. By the time I got back, he had the tickets and we got in the checkout line. While we stood in the checkout line, we noticed the ticket line was wide open so we went and got a couple more tickets and and checked out again quite quickly. It was a nice, enjoyable event for both of us! We made a couple more QUICK stops and purchases. We could not believe how easy it was. We ate breakfast with our family at Bob Evans and still was done and headed towards home by 9:30! WOW! If it could always be that easy, I'd go every year.

Of course, it all comes back to "wants" vs. "needs". We did not pick up lots of things that were actually "wants" due to the great prices. I think our home improvements proved to be a benefit for us right now, helping us to balance the importance of our purchases so as to conserve our cash flow for our current home projects. I still remember the one year it took me at least 8 hours to make out all the rebate submissions .... It was a nightmare! This year it will take maybe 30 minutes, mostly on line! What a relief!

I guess it also comes with admittting we are getting older and, despite the fact we are both majoy packrats, we are tired of the clutter in our home and want to get rid of things and not add anything extra. It's funny to be at this stage that my Mom "drove me crazy" with when she reached it in her life. "Things" just don't seem to be as important anymore. You just want to enjoy "relationships" ... those you love ... and make things as simple as possible. I guess that is a "good thing". But it means a lot of work and determination to overcome that inner voice that often says "I might need it someday". I am realizing that 9 times out of 10 that day never comes and, if it does, that item is so much cheaper that it costs little at all to pick up.

Well, the day is wasting. I need to work some on "de-cluttering" my closets and shoe collection!