Want.

Great philosophy!
And there might be something pulling us in the same direction universally speaking. I have been toying with making a wish list similar to your want book. I was even going to use a black Moleskin too.

i do this too...a really good way to control the impulse shopping!!

i do this too...a really good way to control the impulse shopping!!

Ali - this is so great. It's an ongoing effort for me of small impromptu garage sales (tricky at times with Central NY weather) and giving things away to friends and charity. It clears the path to open space in small places, and time to consider, at some point in the future, some thoughtful addition to my home space. Have you seen "The Story of Stuff" video on the web? Interesting . . . http://www.storyofstuff.com/
Thanks for sharing all of your creative inspiration. It seems to come from so many places family, friends, nature, recipes, etc.
Keep it coming . . .

Love this idea to bits!

I'm actually working on something similar...love making wishlists and seeing how much "wants" change if I hold off on purchasing something right away.

Tee hee, I use this idea with my kids!
Whenever they have something they NEED (you know how kids are) I have them write it on their "wish list" and they don't ask for it again.
They know they can save their money towards it or get it for their birthdays etc, but most of the time they end up crossing things off that they really didn't want after they thought it over.
I think I might just make one for my dh :), ok, I just might need one for myself as well!

Love the idea of a little book. I just made a list of things I would like for the house earlier tonight - how funny!

There's yet another example where writing things down, taking time to reflect, and slowing an impulse is just plain good for the soul. Awesome, accessible visual for a great way of thinking.

I have always had a little list on my desk of WANTS and NEEDS....I have been using it for my scrapbooking for about a year....it is amazing how much I haven't bought, that just sits unused, if I just give it a little time and "it" doesn't move from the wants list to the needs list....he, he.
great minds and all that....

I started a book like this on January 1st to get my spending under control. Like you, my work has me on the computer all day -- and allows me the freedom to wander across the world wide web. Unfortunately, this freedom has translated into hundreds of little purchases and dwindling funds that could have been pooled towards something useful/necessary/that I really wanted and or needed, etc.! So my little book of wants has become my outlet -- in it goes every little (or big) purchase I almost made on a whim or flight of fancy, along w/the price + shipping (and sometimes a little picture and the website address, just in case). THEN, at the end of the month (with January 31st being my first eom)...I am planning to add up my "savings." Based on our real expenses and savings I may treat myself to one of those wants...or maybe two! I hope this works...lol!

This is a fantastic idea and kind of ironic that you brought this topic up, because I just did one that I too keep next to my computer monitor...lol. My reason is kind of different from yours, as all before the holiday season all anyone asked me was what can we get you for Christmas and I would say don't worry about getting me anything because I couldn't come up with anything that I wanted...that was necessary. Well, after getting harrassed by my family over and over again, I said fine...I will have an ongoing list and as needed I will let people look...just like my Christmas list as a kid...lol. I like your reasoning better because now that I type this, it sounds materialistic...which is NOT me. Anywho, I think this a fantastic idea because it allows for assessment of items and whether or not it's at all necessary!

Hi Ali,
I was getting ready to copy down your quote of the day, and when I logged back on, it was changed! Could you please send me what Monday's quote was...or whatever it was before the one that is up now???!!!
Thanks,
Julie
p.s. I LOVE your blog...you are such an inspiration...thanks.

I totally understand where you're coming from. The word I chose for 2008 is simplify and I told my dh that for me, right now, simplify means thinking "Do I need this?" Groceries, yes. A new sweater (or goodies from the LSS), not so much a need. So far, it's been good. But I like your idea of making a book. And sometimes, it's just nice to think about things (without actually having them.)

Hells bells! If writing my wants down will curb my spending, I'm all over it!

That's too funny! Yesterday, I was in Target and I really WANTED a black purse that was on clearance - flying out to Palm Springs on Wednesday - i.e. trip=new handbag of course. However, I tried to fend off the urge to be so compulsive and walked away telling myself that I would think about it and could always come back on Tuesday if I still WANTED it as badly after one nights sleep.
I did head back to Target today to get it (am packing it right now for tomorrow's trip).
At least a was able to fend off the urge for one day! Maybe next time I can fend off the urge for 2 days! LOL!

i, along with everybody else, love this idea. often writing them down is all in need. love the moleskine, too. muji is a great japanese alternative. did you go to muji when you were in tokyo? i will throw some more stamps in my shop soon.

Cool. Love the approach to minimalism.

I need a general place to write down measurements...I have a want/need for a long, shallow table halfway up our stairs, but exactly *how* long? *how* narrow? I have too many little notebooks in my purse and I need to consolidate. Great idea :)

Daryl--I like the details of how you do yours. I think I might have an unused check register in our office. I'll go look and see if I can make a want book out of that.