Need vs Want

[Guest]

I agree entirely with what you said. I really want a dishwasher and I really do need one right now because the pain from my arthritis causes me a lot of problems when I have to stand for a long period of time. Do I want to do as you say and overload myself with bills? No, I do not. I do not have cable and we are down to watching mostly nothing because in my town we do not get reception at allexcept through cable or satellite. I find that I read more and I need to do that since I am going to school online. I do not have a cell phone, but I do not have a car to get stranded in or worry about breaking down. I do have to worry about a taxi to carry me places and that is inconvenient plus costly. If I can live without what I want, and I can live without even the food we need, then yes she can definitely live with a dishwasher.

On Fri, Feb 15, 2008 at 10:25 AM, sportsalibi <sportsalibi@yahoo.com> wrote:

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?

[Author]

Posts