Need vs Want

[Guest]

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]

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