I included this link, it shows what percentage of Americans feel they need these items.

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/SaveMoney/SaveBigWithTheFlashbackBudget.aspx

I thought I would include what I have come to see as a necessity to make my life easier and run smoother, I have ranked them top priority first and least priority for me last.

#1 my car (if I lived in a very big city I wouldn't need it or want it).
#2 microwave (because it's quicker than the stove/oven for certain things)
#3 TV (not a flat screen)
#4 basic cable
#5 internet (not necessarily high speed)
#6 cell phone (family plan, mostly for emergency use)
#7 Home A/C (at least in the bedroom to sleep at night)

I have lived without some of these things before and I know I could again, but this is my list of things I would find hard to do without. The rest of the things on the link I could cope without or currently don't own (washer/dryer).

What are your top priorities? What could you live without in your home? :ponder:

#1 Car
#2 Washer
#3 Microwave
#4 Home computer w/ Internet
#5 Phone
#6 TV (not flat screen or huge)

the frig fit in? For me, that would be right up there. I could do w/o a car and have. I've taken the bus for years, it just makes for a loooong day.

The Fridge for sure.My fridge, my stove and my washer are the only things I cant live a day without. The dishwasher is pretty important but I can get by. A hot water heater is a must.

The microwave is not on my list, I can do fine without it.
Cell phone , I dont own one now so I would say I can do without that also.

1.Car. No bus service when I get off work at night, and shopping on public transit is way too hard. I've done it.

2. Home air conditioning. It's HOT in Louisiana.

3. Clothes washer. Don't really need a dryer.

4. Car air conditioning - or eight months of the year I would arrive at work in the afternoon with sweaty hair and boiled eyeballs.

5. Microwave. Could live without it, but would really hate to.

6. Home computer. Again, could live without it because I can use the internet at work, but I use it a lot.

My dryer is out, I never use the dishwasher that came with the apartment, and I don't have any of the other items.

My necessity list, in order of importance:

1: fridge

2: car

3: stove/oven

4: washing machine

5: computer/internet

6: phone

these are all items that will allow me to work and care for my family.