In my eternal quest to live a simple life (whatever that means), I often find myself trying to decipher if some of the things I indulge in are necessity or luxury. I'm sure it would depend on who you ask. I think luxuries quickly become necessities. If you ask me, they're necessity. Some may perceive that as "spoiled". I don't agree. I think the definition of spoiled is someone who has things and doesn't appreciate them or work for them. I consciously try to appreciate everything I have, and I work hard-I always have. So my question is: is it a crime to want "things?" Does that make someone less of a person? No one has called me on this, it's just something I'm struggling with internally. In fact, this entire post is completely written mumblings of my brain.
If you're reading this and you choose to leave a comment (which I'd LOVE), please tell me things you KNOW in your head are luxuries, but have become necessities. Here are a few of mine:
If you're reading this and you choose to leave a comment (which I'd LOVE), please tell me things you KNOW in your head are luxuries, but have become necessities. Here are a few of mine:
wine
YMCA membership (this is for the entire family, not just me)
Tivo, and DirecTV for that matter (no one NEEDS cable TV)
PB Puffins ($5 cereal, but it's so darn good, and I'm becoming a "foodie", which is also starting to be dangerous)
Tide detergent, because I refuse to use the cheap stuff and nothing smells like Tide
daily protein bars that cost around $1 each
Occasional splurges at Gymboree (with a coupon, of course)
Disney passes
...ok, there are many more but I could go on all day. These are just the ones that stuck out in my head. I'm sure I could live without all the above, but I do NOT want to.
Now, here are the things I do to SAVE money and live simpler (and greener):
consign all my children's clothing and old toys for cash
use vinegar in place of fabric softener in the washing machine (this is GENIUS-clothes smell and feel wonderful and get cleaner). And actually I use vinegar to clean just about everything which saves money on expensive (not to mention toxic) cleaners. Vinegar is CHEAP.
exterminate my own house (well, not ME, but Ray)
work at my child's preschool in exchange for free tuition (and a paycheck too, of course)
shop the sale ads for groceries (not ME, but Ray, I have no patience for that, but to him it's a game)
mostly no bottled water...refill in re-useable containers
...that's all I can think of so far but I KNOW there are more. But I also know there are more things I can do to save more money. I'm open to suggestions...
1 comment:
ok, all of your luxuries are definitely luxuries. but if you work hard and appreciate them then whatev!
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