wants vs. needs

Lately, I've noticed my blog has become just a place to post pictures. At one time, I intended this blog to be somewhat of a journal, since I don't keep a constant one anywhere else. Therefore, I've made a little goal to write some things on here that I would write in a journal. . . if I had one. . . and wrote in it. . . consistently. . . okey dokey, you get my drift.

My little brother, Michael, is the youngest in our family and as a result of that has always been a little spoiled. He's generous, sweet, grateful and respectful. . . just a little spoiled too. ha ha It's probably because we all love him the best. Anyways, at my moms house there is a little white board on the fridge and on that white board is a little message Michael wrote before he left on his mission (yes, he's been gone for over a year now and yes, it's still there). It says,

Michaels NEEDS:

• socks
• backpack
  
• a scooter
• IPOD
  

If any of you know Michael you know he wrote it in total sincerity and with a naive assurance that he would receive those things because they were "NEEDS" (I need to say first of all, that when us older siblings saw this list we all burst out laughing . . . and second, I don't think he ever got the last two items :)).

While I lived in my parents house I know I had similar "needs", but now that I'm on my own things are different. Before anything is decided on or purchased it's status as a need or a want is carefully considered. In preparing for our upcoming move and baby I've been jotting down several NEEDS in my planner. I took a second look at the list today and have decided I should reassess a few of them. If any of you have any advice (or want to assist me in rationalizing why I need any of these items) please feel free. ha ha

Mary's NEEDS:

• new bed for Kina (she can now climb out of her crib - juuuust great! ha ha)
  
• mini play kitchen for girls
• outdoor jungle gym for girls (ha ha. I think I wrote those on the same day)
• black pearl raindrop earrings (I found them on Etsy - they are soo cute. . . and soo not a need!)
  
• corningwear dishes/plastic cups (up to this point we've only used the ceramic and glass ware we received as wedding gifts. Now that 90% of it has broken I think we can move on to something slightly more durable)
• a Scentsy candle (I'm pretty sure I wrote this after visiting a friend who has Scentsy in her home. It smells sooooo good! . . . a good smelling home is a need, right? . . .right? lol)
  
• 3 dressers (two for the Master bedroom, one for the girls room)
  
• carrier/car seat (for new baby. The last one served us well for two kids, but the broken handle has made it unusable)
  
• new glasses (for me. My frames that I LOVE and have had foreeeever (and are GUCCI!! Ahh!!) were BROKEN by my girls. . . sniff, sniff. . . I'm still trying to get over it)
• dentist visit (unfortunately, I already know this is a need - it's been a year - I've just been avoiding it!)
  
• Malia's preschool
• printer (I miss the convenience)
  
• garage door opener (or someone who can fix our broken one)
  
• wagon for girls (I'm pretty sure I wrote this after visiting Costco and seeing the Radio Flyer wagon they sell. ha ha I think I'll check out Craigslist first)
• Pampered Chef (I think I saw this at Costco too. Ah, wishful thinking! ha ha)

Do you notice how I'm already starting to rationalize on some of those. Oh dear. Well, some of those items I will end up acquiring somehow and some will just slowly disappear from my planner and mind - and I'm okay with that. I think it's a difficult lesson for me to learn at times - the difference of wants vs. needs - but a valuable one all the same. I found this little gem on a blog dedicated to frugal living . . .

Learn to live with less. Learn to shun envy. Appreciate what you have.
If you have less, you will appreciate what you have more.

Now, does anyone know of a good dentist?