Since you have been an active participant in trying to live within your means or to live frugally have your ideas on what is a want vs what is a need changed?

YES!!! I used to shop just to shop and now I make lists and if it isn't on a list I DON'T buy it. That was very hard at first but now that the bigger picture is getting clearer it is much easier.

Need- something we have to have to live. I see if I can do something else to get us this. Barter, trade, make myself, substitute. If I can I do it. If not I will buy it.

Want- well I want everything so I refer to the need again.

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it has taken my two years to really get a handle on my wants versus needs i started a couple years ago and now can say that i only buy what we need.. if there is a want i save first then still see if i want it or i try to find a way to get what i want for cheaper like if i want a new dresser try to refinish one we have in a new way or find one for under 20 bucks at a thrift store and put in some elbow grease!! i have wanted to re-do my bedroom since we moved in well i'm finally going to do it i have found all the furnishings bedding and wall decor for under 150 bucks so all i need to do is paint it may have taken me a year to accumulate the things i wanted to go in there but they were wants i did not need them right this secound.

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Grace of God will not protect you.'

YES!!

Now i look at the price of everything, and sometimes find myself saying... I don't really need this, and put it down and walk away! The other day i went to the .99 Cent Store (where everything is "just" .99 cents) well, i picked up a basket and started shopping. Then i realized, wait, i don't NEED any of this stuff! So i left the basket in the aisle and walked out of the store WITH NOTHING! I was really suprised and happy at myself!

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Clothes was a big change for me.... how much can one person really wear?

It is surprising that we need very little. Clothing to cover our bodies, food for our tummies and a warm bed. Besides our monthly expenses which we'll always have (housing, utilities, etc.) whatever we buy at the mall and stores is definitely not a need.

I use to just go to the store "just because" with the intentions that I needed something. Now if it is not on my list, it is not bought.

A need is something we have to have to survive/live.

A want is something that would be "nice" to have but not essential.

I have truly started looking at things before purchased!

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My wants/needs have changed a lot. I do not buy anything unless we absolutely need it. I usually only get clothes for my birthday or Christmas from DH, and spend less than $200 a year on clothes for myself - I dress only in things that won't go out of style and only buy clearance. This is a huge thing for me, because I LOVE clothes! Needless to say I own a lot of plain white fitted t's and flip flops! My favorite outfit! I don't buy accessories anymore. Sometimes I get a little sad when I go shopping with friends, because they buy whatever they want, but then I remember all of the reasons that I restrict myself and I feel better!

I used to buy $30 a bag dog food for my 2 large dogs, but I switched them to a cheaper indoor formula after they became adults, and they are healthier than ever!

Other than that, grocery wise, I only buy what is on sale, and I buy a lot of it! We just eat what is cheap!