Art Van is Having A Sale!
I don’t know what to blog about. My boss says I should tell everyone that Kohl’s has some great sales going on right now. While I’m mentioning that I’ll mention that Fashion Bug is having great sales too. I bought a couple things online (don’t worry, it was in the budget) and I saved so much money! Actually, I spent $30, so I didn’t really save anything.
That reminds me of a conversation my dad and stepmom had when I was a kid. She had just been out shopping and brought home a beautiful wool coat. I think she was nervous about telling my dad because the way she told him was by saying, “I saved 50%!” I will never forget how my dad responded: “How much didn’t you save?” I don’t remember how much she paid for the coat but I do remember she wore that thing forever. So she definitely got her money’s worth, whatever she paid.
Another great question my dad used to ask us all the time that stuck with me through the years: “Is it a want, or a need?” Even as an adult I find myself saying I need this or that. Then I stop myself and ask that question. There are so little things we truly need in this world. I don’t think there is anything wrong with going out and getting the things we want but I think it’s important that we make that distinction between a want and a need.
My new mantra:
“I don’t need a laptop, I want a laptop.
I don’t need a laptop, I want a laptop.
I don’t need a laptop, I want a laptop.“
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January 29th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Yes, but I think the harder question is this: “is it something I deserve?”…along with the question of need.
Because quite honestly we buy millions of things we don’t “need”. Although the question of want or need does sift out a lot.
But, do we really need extra blankets, an extra car, a flour sifter, a extra pair of slippers, a bunch of pillows, a second tv, a first tv, a microwave, an ice maker, a kitchen aide, a lot of clothes, a carton of ice cream, a 2 liter of pop, a cake mix, a candle, a leaf blower, a place to rest our feet, a lot of bathroom crap….I could go on, but I think you get where I am going with this.
I think we tend to rely on a lot of items that have become second nature and feel like a need, when really we could do very well, if not better without.
Mindy, would you use a laptop? Yes, I bet you would use the crap out of it. It would enable you to take taxes..”to” people and not just do them in your home. You would probably spend way more time on the internet in front of the tv and this would enable you to clean less…;)
You should weigh your options and if it is still something you want, well than I think you deserve it. As long as nothing else is getting missed or left out because of such a purchase. You do work hard for your money and you do a killer job of budgeting.
Why am I babbling on so much?…I do not know.
January 29th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Tax prep is the main reason I want the laptop. This year it will be especially challenging because Luke is here. I can get a lot more work done if I can do it out in the living room so I can watch him at the same time.
But then blogging comes in at a close second. And perhaps I will get less cleaning done, but maybe not. Maybe I’ll get more done because I won’t be able to hide in the office and pretend the house doesn’t need work. Maybe since I’ll be “out there” seeing what needs to be done, I’ll do it. I have been doing much better than in years past. The writers’ strike has helped tremendously – I’ve been watching a lot less television as a result.
January 30th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Mindy: There are too many benefits to list: a laptop has become the foundation of civilization as we know it! Fire, the wheel, tightie-whities, the laptop. Its all a progression.
Not only does a laptop have all the power and functionality of a PC, it is portable, has wireless internet, and is battery powered if need be. It can play DVDs, be a jukebox, or keep your lap warm on a cold winter night of blogging. It is my game cube, my library, and the keeper of all that is sacred and secret.
Quite frankly, I can’t imagine life without my laptop. It has moved to the need list.
January 30th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Well, that settles it, Dad said I could have one! Woo hoo! Thanks, Dad!
I am really looking forward to getting a laptop. I have wanted one for years but this is the first year it actually looks like a possibility.