Could a "want" become a "need"??

**Cecilia** · 11-25-2004, 05:24 AM

Well, I didn't know how to start this thread so the subject line is kind of odd... I'm currently reading The Compleate frugal Gazette and in it the autor is often pointing out the importans of thinking about wheither you need to buy something or you just want to buy it. For me it is sometimes hard to see what is what...

I've been wanting to sew some new christmas curtains for my kitchen for about eight years. Since, I've never had enough money to prioritice the curtains at christmas time so I've never bought the material needed. In the meantime I've used the old curtains that are about 14 years old. Last week I went with my mom to buy fabric for a new dress. And while at the store I found just the fabric I wanted for THOSE CURTAINS... and it wasn't expensive either!! So, I bought it and finished the new curtians yesterday.
What do you think in terms of frugality... Was this something I needed or something I just wanted and thus could have done without??

**SewCrafty** · 11-25-2004, 06:27 AM

First of all Cecilia, I want

you for waiting 14 years! You see my drug of choice is buying fabric and yarn!

The whole reason behind frugality as I understand it, is to save in one place so you can splurge in another. Say you always turn your lights off when leaving a room, you will have a lower electric bill, that may enable you to eat out once a month.

So in this instance I would call your new kitchen curtains a need as opposed to a want. Besides that, you made them yourself, saving you major $$!

BTW, if you can post pictures, we would love to see them.

**mylittle4** · 11-25-2004, 09:26 AM

Cecilia some of us are so bad we buy the fabric we might need tomorrow.

Frugality is really all about choosing were to spend your money. For me anyway. I squeeze every penny out of my grocery bill by cooking from scratch so I can buy that fabric I WANT.

**homesteadmamma** · 11-25-2004, 12:04 PM

Originally posted by mylittle4
Cecilia some of us are so bad we buy the fabric we might need tomorrow. Frugality is really all about choosing were to spend your money. For me anyway. I squeeze every penny out of my grocery bill by cooking from scratch so I can buy that fabric I WANT.

I could have typed this myself and I'm sitting here chuckling because I have done exactly what Angelee has done.

**forestdale** · 11-25-2004, 03:39 PM

I think you've been frugal in that you waited for 8 years for something you wanted and bought it when it was a good price. Making the curtains yourself is also frugal and the enjoyment you'll get from them is priceless.

**PrairieRose** · 11-26-2004, 10:24 AM

I agree with what the other ladies have said. I try to put off a lot of the things I want but every now and again......I go for it. Life isn't worth living if all we do is cut corners. We have to find the balance between frugality and deprivation. I also have some old curtains that I'm wanting to replace and when I get those walls textured (myself) I'm getting them, frugality be danged. I'll look for the best price, try to find the very best deal, but still I'll have them. Come heck or highwater, I'll have them.

I think you were much more patient than I ever would have been.