10 Must Have Items You Don't Really Need

 

The struggle to make ends meet can be immensely frustrating--work as hard as you can and as many hours as you can, and still barely stay financially afloat. Sometimes, there doesn't seem to be any solution for those with high bills and limited financial resources. But other people are struggling to get by because they believe they need a lot of things that they actually don't need--and they're working hard to pay for those non-necessary items. I'm  a big believer in having less in order to save money, instead of trying to have it all and save money at the same time, so with that view in mind, here are a few things that (in spite of what the media, magazines, and your friends tell you) you can do without:

1) Smartphones. You can tell me again and again that they aren't that expensive, but I probably won't believe you. We currently pay about $90 a month for 4 cellphones for 4 people that allow calling and nothing else. Smartphones are a convenience, and conveniences cost.

2) Curtains. Sure, all the fancy homes in the magazines have them, but they're pricey. Even if you do need to sleep during the day, you can wear an eye mask to shut out all the light and an eye mask is plenty cheaper than enough window dressing for all  3 bedroom windows! Or you could borrow Angel's college dorm room style and tack flags of various countries to your window frames.

3) Pets. They're a luxury. Food, vet's bills, pet-sitters when you want to travel. Even fish cost something, and if you're barely getting by, you don't need them.

4) KitchenAid Mixer. I know a lot of people who have these. They seem really cool, and handy. But they're hundreds of dollars. I think between my muscles, Angel's muscles, and my $20 electric hand mixer, we can mix up a couple hundred dollars worth of food.

5) AirCon. "That's easy for you to say, you live in Michigan!" Yes, it is very easy to say as I sit here shivering. Aircon is not a necessity. I did spend a couple years in the tropics with no aircon, and that's where I learned the value of a ceiling fan. Fans are awesome, and significantly cheaper to run than aircon.

6) Home Internet. Ouch! Those you know me know I love my internet access. But you have to know yourself. If $30 a month for internet access is hurting you, let it go! Libraries have free internet and so do lots of other public gathering places. It's not as convenient, but you won't be totally cut off from civilization

7) Cable. Or any version of television you have to pay for. Public broadcast tv still exists. It's better in some places than in others, but it's free. And more and more libraries are expanding their collection of free dvds to borrow.

8) A Yard. Yards are awesome, but they're not necessary, and honestly, they're really expensive. Big yards often require tractor mowers, or, if you're too busy working, a lawn service. As a kid, I lived in homes with large and medium yards, one with a 5x3 foot patch of grass (not exaggerating), and one with no yard at all--and all of those homes were fun. Living without a yard could save you money.

9) A DSLR. Those point-and-shoot pocket sized cameras will capture your memories just as effectively, if not quite so prettily.

10) The "Cute" version of normal stuff. Just 'cause there's a "cute" version of a fire extinguisher or a dayplanner or lunchbag, crockpot, broom, can opener, or paintbrush, doesn't mean you need it. If you already have the ugly version, note that it still works in spite of being ugly.

This isn't saying  that none of these things aren't convenient or nice to have--but if you're feeling pressure to own popular items like these because seemingly 'everyone' has them--I'm here to say that everyone doesn't. And if striving to own nice things is causing you financial stress, quit it, because stuff isn't worth the stress.