Wants Vs. Needs

I don't make New Year's Resolutions per se. I make different goals for myself at numerous times during the year. Usually when a new semester starts or at the beginning of summer, I make some new goals for that segment of my life. With the New Year and the new semester, I decided I really need to make a few goals for myself. One of those goals is to pay down and save up! Ever since I got engaged, I have felt like I needed to get serious about finances. Yes, I am a college student, but I can't use that excuse for not making the most of what I have! That is an excuse I made quite often! Well, the way that I have decided to do this is by these 2 steps:

• Limit eating out! - I eat out way more than I should admit to! Breakfast here, lunch there, it really adds up! I have to cut it out for my wallet and my waistline (another goal for this year is to get fit for my wedding...post to come!)


• Limit what I buy for myself! - I am a shopaholic! We all know it. There is no denying it! However, I really don't NEED anything. I WANT lots of things. So, with that in mind, I am going to start asking myself if I NEED it, or if I just WANT it. That is my new mantra!

This isn't going to be easy. I know there will be times when I slip up and that is okay because just like with dieting, if you constantly deny yourself, then you will binge. I am going to allow myself something every now and then, but not as often as I am buying thing for myself at the present. So with all that said, I have already failed miserably! Yes, I admit it to my family and friends who read this blog and the blogging world!

It started out innocently enough. I deemed that I NEEDED a planner. Yes, NEEDED! Why? Well, I have a hard time keeping up with my busy life, plus big time wedding planning is starting in a matter of weeks, and it will be helpful for me to write homework down in for school. Totally a NEED! Right? So, I decided to go buy the large Lilly planner from Palm Avenue here in town. I got off work, drove over, and went on in. I bypassed the sign that Fall 2009 was 60% off; I just slightly out of the corner of my eye peaked over as I made a beeline for the stationary. The sweet girls asked me what I was looking for. I told them. They were out of stock...oh no!

Should I get the smaller one?

Should I try to order it online?

What to do?

So I walk around the store while I think about it. I can't help myself, I need to weigh my options for a moment. I decide to half-heartedly browse that 60% off sale as I think it over. One thing leads to another, and I grab a dress a start looking at it.

Sabine Shirt Dress Printed in Lillys Pink Little Master of the House

Well, those sweet girls show up again ready to put it in the dressing room. I can't say no now! "Okay, put it in the room." I follow them over there, as I don't want anything else to be put in there to tempt me. I get in the room. I can't even think about the planner options now. All my mind is on is willpower not to buy this precious dress that I have liked and wanted ever since August that is now marked down 60%. I have a hard time resisting Lilly. I can walk away from just about anything, but Lilly I cannot. It makes me giddy and excited. It makes me feel so happy. I just can't even think straight when it comes to Lilly. So, of course I am going to try it on. I have no self-control. I mean really, we all know how I am! Of course it fits, and just beautifully I might add! Totally fit perfectly and looked great in every single angle! I had just about talked myself out of it when those sweet girls show up again. "How is everything working out for you in there?" I can't lie. I love it! I open the door and they both oooh and awww over how cute I look. I know they are paid to do this, but it really makes me want to buy it more. Especially when they start talking shoes and accessories. Did I mention my Pandora glass beads matched perfectly! I have a blue and green one and a pink and green one...perfect match. It was fate. I needed the dress. I took it off, walked up to the counter and bought it...along with the small planner. There we have it! NO SELF CONTROL! None! I did make one small concession. I had planned to buy a more expensive than I normally spend on make up Bare Minerals Starter Kit, but instead went with my same old cheap-o Neutrogena foundation. I like it well enough, and especially if I get a Lilly out of the deal! Oh well, I got a WANT and a NEED! I am blaming it on those sweet sales girls! They always pop up right when I get a hold of myself, just in time to break my willpower!

***I know it is improper to talk about money. Please don't think I am being improper. I think this is a problem that lots of us in America deal with and I am willing to put it out there in hopes that maybe I can help someone else who might be wanting to try to pay down and save up like myself. Plus, if I put it on here I am more likely to actually stick to it.