Are you still buying your WANTs?

Not as much as I was able to but, those wants that I have bought were all from setting aside those extra change that I get from spending on things that really matter. I really can't buy things that I really want but not need. I often just get to even buy a few of those things that I really need and make an effort for them to last long enough until I have to buy again. I always try to resist the temptation, especially when I do have the resources to get what I want, I always try to see if its worth it or not at all in the long run. Of course, we sometimes have to treat ourselves every now and then but, times like now, we can't help but to tighten our belts. (-_- )

Ever since my partner and I got together about 10 years ago we have been on a fairly tight budget. In those days I was paying child support for my children with my ex-wife and that took a bit out of the budget. Then we set up a home together and decided it was best to establish a place that was "ours" as distinct from "mine" or "hers". That meant we were on a tight budget from the very beginning but then we decided we wanted to have a small organic farm and that took even more of our money. So we have always tended to only buy necessities for both our home, our small farm as well as for ourselves. "Wants" are very much luxuries and to get anything like that we have to save a little bit harder. Sometimes we have found that some of the necessities in life are on special and we can make some savings. A few times we have managed to get a few of the necessities on special on one shopping trip and that means we have been able to indulge a little bit. Australia is in very good condition financially. The Liberal Government we had for 12 years (until a year ago) managed to pay off the debts from the previous Labor government. They also managed to get the coiuntry into a good position andwe had a substantial surplus. However we have had a Labor government once again for the past year and that surplus is rapidly disappearing. Even if we have tio go into deficit, the country is in pretty good shape. With luck we should be able to withstand the recession, if we actually go into recession her that is. Already companies are making some changes here. For example I am an interstate (long haul) truck driver and where I work things are getting a bit slow. We were allowed to decide whether we wanted some of the drivers to be laid off or take our accrued holidays and see what happens. A couple left to get jobs elsewhere but the rest of the drivers are holding on and hoping for the best. I, and several other drivers, are on holidays at the present time and the others are working. In a week or so, we will change places so to speak. If extra work comes up which needs additional drivers, then one of the drivers on holidays can take the trip. I have done that a couple of times already in the past couple of weeks. With luck, we will keep our jobs and things will pick up before we all run out of our accrued holidays. So at least the company I work for is honourable and looking after the drivers as best as they can. It is pretty rotten that your employers are taking a way that makes everyone feel insecure. It cannot be pleasant working in such an environment and no doubt some of the employees will leave. I hope you are able to keep your job until things pick up and you can find one where you are treated better. In the meantime, keep saving as much money as you can just in caae things do turn sour on the employment front. Good luck.

I have started cutting down in expenses when I decided to stop working to look after my daughter. I think it is important for us to do so, to manage our spending and create more savings for the future. I'm n longer buying wants, just essentials

this final I have tried to buy what I need no what I want