Do I need this or do I want this?

It’s amazing to me how my teenagers finally understand the difference between needs and wants. Of course this understanding has come to them now that they are employed and have to purchase those things they want. You see, I provide the needs now…not the wants. Recently, I have heard them saying things like, “I guess I could wait buy hair color at the pharmacy rather than paying a professional.”  and “I will need gas money from my friends if they want a ride to the mall.” Hm…

This brings me to that all important topic: Understanding needs and wants. For the past five years or so I have been making purchases based on whether they are a need or a want, but only because I learned that lesson the hard way. In the past, I purchased the “wants” without considering the “needs.” What happened that changed my focus? It was the high credit card balances and high interest rates and high charges when you are too close to your limit and even higher charges when you make a late payment!  It has taken me about six years to get things back in order. I finally have manageable debt….phew! (just in time to apply for kid’s student loans…but that is another topic for another day)

So, maybe it took a long time for my kids to realize that they need to think before they purchase and maybe I shouldn’t be so annoyed with them for taking that long. After all it was my intent for them not to re-live my mistakes. My advice is: before making that purchase, ask yourself: Do I need this or do I want this?

It will make a difference to your life. I promise.