Comments on: The Easiest AND Hardest Way to Save Lots of Money http://www.savingwithoutabudget.com/bargain-hunting/the-easiest-and-hardest-way-to-save-lots-of-money/ Saving Lots of Money Is Easy. I'll Show You How. Sun, 25 Jul 2010 03:21:43 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Jeff http://www.savingwithoutabudget.com/bargain-hunting/the-easiest-and-hardest-way-to-save-lots-of-money/comment-page-1/#comment-63227 Jeff Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:38:32 +0000 http://www.savingwithoutabudget.com/bargain-hunting/the-easiest-and-hardest-way-to-save-lots-of-money/#comment-63227 My 3 criteria for Needs vs Wants is: Is this purchase Necessary? - Basically be honest with yourself - why are you buying it? Is this purchase Urgent? - Is there a reason I can't wait until next month to buy this? Is this purchase the best value for my money I can find? - Quality vs price, sales, cheaper alternatives, etc. I don't let my decision making process keep me from blowing money on stupid stuff that's fun, but at least if I go into a purchase aware that it's something I want rather than need, it keeps me from making as many want purchases as often. That, and all want purchases MUST be in cash, and can't be made until ALL of the credit cards are paid off and the bills for the month are paid. My 3 criteria for Needs vs Wants is:
Is this purchase Necessary? – Basically be honest with yourself – why are you buying it?
Is this purchase Urgent? – Is there a reason I can’t wait until next month to buy this?
Is this purchase the best value for my money I can find? – Quality vs price, sales, cheaper alternatives, etc.

I don’t let my decision making process keep me from blowing money on stupid stuff that’s fun, but at least if I go into a purchase aware that it’s something I want rather than need, it keeps me from making as many want purchases as often. That, and all want purchases MUST be in cash, and can’t be made until ALL of the credit cards are paid off and the bills for the month are paid.

]]> By: Brian http://www.savingwithoutabudget.com/bargain-hunting/the-easiest-and-hardest-way-to-save-lots-of-money/comment-page-1/#comment-3231 Brian Thu, 01 Feb 2007 12:38:10 +0000 http://www.savingwithoutabudget.com/bargain-hunting/the-easiest-and-hardest-way-to-save-lots-of-money/#comment-3231 The difference between needs and wants is definitely a defining characteristic of a lot of people, myself included. I find that a lot of people simply don't care about the price of what they buy, no matter what it is. I've recently moved to be closer to work, and while it is easier to get there and I have more time, I have less money. It has forced me to truly think about what I buy, when I buy it, and whether I even need it in the first place. Do I need Coke, or Pepsi? I don't need either! Still, I'd rather have some kind of soda rather than none at all, so I get the store brand cheap stuff (most store brands are suprisingly tasty! Perhaps that would be a good topic for a blog entry for you). I try to get diet even, since that's what I need to be healthy more than what I want to taste. I don't need that Starbucks Coffee and a muffin every day (and though while I was commuting two hours each way a few months ago, I didn't have to go to Starbucks to have a daily snack). I also don't need to go out to eat three times a week with my wife. You can just imagine what that racks up to at the end of the month, even when you don't get appetizers, expensive menu entrees, dessert, or alcoholic drinks. If I tried doing that now I'd be broke in a week. The difference between needs and wants is definitely a defining characteristic of a lot of people, myself included. I find that a lot of people simply don’t care about the price of what they buy, no matter what it is. I’ve recently moved to be closer to work, and while it is easier to get there and I have more time, I have less money. It has forced me to truly think about what I buy, when I buy it, and whether I even need it in the first place. Do I need Coke, or Pepsi? I don’t need either! Still, I’d rather have some kind of soda rather than none at all, so I get the store brand cheap stuff (most store brands are suprisingly tasty! Perhaps that would be a good topic for a blog entry for you). I try to get diet even, since that’s what I need to be healthy more than what I want to taste. I don’t need that Starbucks Coffee and a muffin every day (and though while I was commuting two hours each way a few months ago, I didn’t have to go to Starbucks to have a daily snack).

I also don’t need to go out to eat three times a week with my wife. You can just imagine what that racks up to at the end of the month, even when you don’t get appetizers, expensive menu entrees, dessert, or alcoholic drinks. If I tried doing that now I’d be broke in a week.

]]>