Need vs Want

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      Watching the conversations on the list regarding cell phones brought

      to mind a question I recently had to ask my daughter in law. She

      claims she absolutely NEEDS a dishwasher because it “saves money”.

      The fact is that they are not even able to pay basic needs such as

      housing, utilities and food but she needs a dishwasher to save money

      on the water bill. There have been many discussions on many lists I

      am on but I am still having problems figuring out how buying a

      dishwasher, even an inexpensive one for $350 plus delivery, plus

      installation etc saves money. In our area the average conservative

      water bill is $30. If a dishwasher “saves” 10% off that bill or $3 a

      month it would take 117 months or almost 10 years to pay off the

      dishwasher…that is if you pay for it in cash not credit. My thought

      here is she really WANTS a dishwasher and is trying to justify buying

      one calling it a necessity.

      I have to admit, I love my cellphone and it is really convenient

      owning one. I like being able to reach anyone at any time I want to

      by simply grabbing it out of my purse. Heck, I work very hard and

      even feel I deserve having a cellphone. But do I truly NEED that

      cellphone??? Well I guess if I had to decide between paying the

      electric bill and having a cellphone I would have to say no.

      Another thing I really WANT and not NEED is cable TV. Yeah we only

      get crappy reception and only 5 channels and this is our only form of

      entertainment but do I really NEED cable TV? Again if it was between

      eating and watching TV I would have to say I could live without

      it…if things were really bad I could even sell the TV to pay the bills.

      I’m not saying for some people having a cellphone or dishwasher is

      purely a WANT because my husband was a self-employed trucker and it

      was a necessity for his job. I also have a friend on chemo who uses

      her dishwasher to sterilize dishes to keep her from getting infections

      but, I just want to clarify in my mind if I make a choice to buy

      something is it truly a need vs a want.

      We all make choices and I am trying to get out of debt and need to

      reflect once in a while why I am in such debt. Do my wants out weigh

      my needs and cause further debt?

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