Conditioned necessities

**Sara Noel** · 10-06-2009, 10:41 AM

Let's list and share things that most or some people would consider are necessities, but they aren't really necessary because there's either an alternative or it's not really needed at all.

For example, shaving cream isn't really a necessity. We get by just fine without it here.

**danni** · 10-06-2009, 11:56 AM

Dryers, right now mine is duct taped shut so the kids remember to hang their clothes. LOL!!

**dcompton** · 10-06-2009, 01:12 PM

Television. I have a very happy and entertaining life without it.

**HisDaisy** · 10-06-2009, 01:26 PM

Paper napkins and paper towels for the most part.

**2ndGenGranola** · 10-06-2009, 02:00 PM

X brand body lotions and hair conditioners. I always hear that these are the only ones that work on my skin. Dry skin comes from a poor diet. Change the diet and your skin and health problems will improve.

**justpeachy92** · 10-06-2009, 02:23 PM

I would have to go with those always pads that come with the little personal wipe thing. Generations of women survived without a little wipe, and honestly I can't help but wonder if the wipe is really ok for the septic system.

**Thevail** · 10-06-2009, 02:40 PM

All kinds of things..

Coffee, I've heard it is possible to live without it entirely. (I don't actually believe it, but that's what I've heard)

More than three sets of clothes and a couple heavy jackets.

More than 1 car.

Electronic entertainment of all kinds.

Snack foods, soda, and candy. ( I suspect cutting these ALL out entirely might solve our food budget problems, most of our weight problems, most of our health problems..etc.)

Kitchen gadgets.

90% of all make-up.

90% of all household cleaning products.

Plastic bags, paper plates, dixie cups.. and microwaveable food products.

**mauimagic** · 10-06-2009, 02:41 PM

Automatic windows on cars. None on my MIl's car - handles and a litle bit of energy work just as well.

**Trishagirl** · 10-06-2009, 02:52 PM

Microwave our's broke a couple of yrs ago and dh didn't want to get another one we've done just fine without it.
Dishwasher I don't have one and never will.
Cell phones we've lived without them for how long?

**Thevail** · 10-06-2009, 02:56 PM

You know.. this is a really interesting question when you really start to think about it!

I mean, the definition of "necessity" is inherently tied to the definition of "your life".

If the question is what can you eliminate that isn't those things which are necessary to basic human survival.. then 97% of everything you own or buy on a regular basis is "unecessary".

But if the question is about which things are integrally important to MY life... then access to e-mail is a basic necessity of my life.

(It's how I communicate with friends and family, file my taxes, do my banking, make doctors appointments, purchase goods and services. A car would be considered necessary too because DH works on average 50 miles from home, and there's no public transport at the hour he needs to be there.)

Modern life is different from basic life. Just as, surely someone somewhere was complaining about the Joneses always having their fancy new "fire", and laughing up their sleeves at how the Joneses were always having to work so hard to gather the wood for it.

**nuisance26** · 10-06-2009, 03:40 PM

~Art and decor. I love the Amish way. Most things that are functional are often very attractive like quilts, baskets, drying herbs, stacks of books, nesting mixing bowls, canning jars or a bowl of fresh fruit.
Most furniture. I've been thinking a lot lately about the traditional Japanese style houses. They use one room for just about every purpose. A table stored along the room's edge is moved out to the center of the room along with floor pillows for the 'dining room'. After that the table can be moved back for the 'living room'. Later the sleeping mats are brought out for the 'bedroom'. I'm always amazed at how many places there are in everyone's homes to sit. I think our culture is obsessed with sitting. I've been trying to convince dh for years that the living room is a waste of space. It only exists to watch tv in. And if an entire room exists to watch tv in then we are watching entirealy too much tv.~

**Sassyclass** · 10-06-2009, 04:20 PM

-new clothes-
-designer clothes-
-clothes for pets?-
-cell phones-
-new automobiles, find a good used one-
-coffee shop drinks-
-big screen tv's-
-beauty salon hair treatments-

I noticed no one has mentioned chocolate of any kind.

Cat

**KeithBC** · 10-06-2009, 04:52 PM

Packaged, processed, and manufactured "food". Real food looks like what it is, is less harmful to the environment and is healthier for you.

**pollypurebred39** · 10-06-2009, 05:12 PM

Plastic wrap, expensive tupperware- I pack leftovers in glass containers with glass lids. They never die, unlike plastic. For box lunches, sandwiches wrap just fine in wax paper or snacks in homemade washable snack bags.

Gift wrap at Christmas- homemade fabric bags tied shut with cording are a great option. Great for Birthdays, Mother & Father's day, Valentines day too, just purchase holiday fabrics on clearance after the holiday. Wrapping in fabric is popular in Asain culture and can be quite quite beautiful.

A set of matching hats, scarfs, mittens for every jacket.

A pair of shoes for every outfit.

**ravenmaniac** · 10-06-2009, 05:34 PM

I've enjoyed reading everyone's responses. I must admit I like my cell phone, internet, and cable (I watch a lot of sports). I do my best to keep a balance and make sure daily tasks get done and I'm not consumed with these luxuries. I think I could live without them. Prepackaged foods, yuck. Kitchen gadgets, I have a few too many. They are so easy to duplicate without realizing it.