Want.

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.

Really like the idea of writing down wants, seems like a good way to slow down the impulse buying (kind of like a food journal). I'm really trying to get a handle on the chaos in my lovely home. So I will try not to buy anything extra until I've sorted the boxes from our last move (3 years ago) and donated/gotten rid of a lot of stuff. Really trying to not accumulate so much stuff.

I noticed that one of your wants is an old typewriter for your office. I actually have one that I have tried to sell on Craigslist. It would be hard to ship to you (it is extremely heavy), but if you ever have an opportunity to be in Kansas City or know someone close that could get it to you, I would make you a great deal! Just an idea! I would love for someone to have it that would love and appreciate it, instead of it just sitting in my basement, neglected. It came from my grandparent's basement when we moved my grandma out after 40+ years.
Love the book! Great idea!
Jeannine :)
j9billings@kc,rr.com

I have been doing this for about a year now. It works so well for me. And the best part? Being able to scratch off an item, not because I bought it, but because I simply don't want it anymore... i love that!
Another tip, especially with scrap goodies, I usually wait a week after the initial excitement of seeing a new product before I buy anything. This way, I have a clear and objective view of what to purchase.

LOVE the 'want' book! I guess I have been keeping one of these for years, but had never really thought about it. I like being able to check things off lists, and realize a number of my wants (painting rooms, re-flooring, and other/smaller wants) had been checked off over the YEARS... others had not. And what perfect timing on your bit about simplicity, as my word is 'simplify.' (I didn't submit my word to your list, but saw someone else had.) Thanks gobs.
xox
Paula

I have a want book that I keep in the drawer by my recliner. I use it when I'm watching the scrapbooking shows on QVC or HSN. It really does help cut down on the impulse buying and many times down the road I tear out the pages & throw them away...only to fill others up much too soon :)

This is a great idea. We are busy trying to really simplify things are our house and it is amazing how much time I spend dealing with and getting rid of things that I thought I wanted but really don't work for us. Now I really think before I buy anything - and having a place to record the wants is a great idea.

Great great great. I can so relate. I picked up a couple of little notebooks while at Target this evening. Thanks for the idea!

I should give it a try too. Thanks for the idea!

What a great idea!
I thought the stamped letters looks familiar :)
Miss you so much lately!

The idea of a want book was something we used when my eldest (then 5) was struggling with attack after attack of the wanties.
At least writing them down or drawing them gave him something to do with his wants. And was also a good lesson in teaching him about delayed gratification. And saving. And over consumption. And long term goals.
Yup, I don't know why I don't have one for me too. Maybe I shall.