Want.

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.

what a wake up call this is for me! I am a stay at home Mom and you're so exactly right- since I've been home this past year, i shop like crazy! I say oh' we need this' or order scrap stuff (when i have way too much already!) and we really don't NEED anything! I'm just at home so it's all too easy to just go shopping or look online. I need to take back control, be a better example for my daughter,and hold off/wait for some things for a change! maybe writing down wants can really help me too-thanks so so much for sharing this post!

Thanks for the great advice, from all of you ! I´ll get one of my muji notebooks ready for this. As they are really cheap they fit my goal this year : spend less and think before I buy - do I really "need" or only "want"? A great inspiration for this outlook has been a book written by Judith Levine " Not Buying It". It was really interesting how she discusses consumerism and society, and also made me realise more about the likeness and differences between USA and Sweden ( where I live)We all really need to think about our consumtion,be it scrapgoods or anything else....

I love this idea - I use Kaboodle (www.kaboodle.com) for the same purpose - stops me making online impulse buys and just notes them for future reference. It's great to go through and weed things out and to be surprised on birthdays by my brilliant sister-in-law who (shock!) actually looks at my wish list! ;-)

love this idea! I too have a little moleskine book. I've used some fabric to cover them too, they can take a rough tumble in my bag! :)

Love this idea and I've been thinking about it for a while myself. I'm really trying to live in a "Less is More" way and I think this will help. Thanks for posting this. :)

Love this idea and I've been thinking about it for a while myself. I'm really trying to live in a "Less is More" way and I think this will help. Thanks for posting this. :)

Love this idea Ali. It's amazing how alike all of us women are when you read all the amazing posts regarding this topic.
A favourite saying of mine is 'The best things in life aren't things" beacause God do I looove things! Pretty things, pink things, scrappy things. I have decided this year the only way I can buy something that is a want not a need is to sell something on ebay first, and then with the proceeds, buy my favourite thing of the moment-It works great-doesn't break the bank, and controls clutter-love it!

I meet someone who taught her kids how to control impulse spending this way: They had to write down what they wanted with the date and put it on the refrigerator. Then it had to stay there for 30 days. At the end of thirty days if they still wanted it then they had to pay half and the parent paid the other. Oh! Ijust thought of something. For Children who need a visual, stamp small caledar for them to tick off at the bottom.

Wow, I love, love, love this idea! I'm definitely going to do this. :)

Girl you are sooo right. I truelly don't need anything else in the craft department! Now I may really need a new couch but that's another story! ^-----^
Have a relaxing day honey,
-Karla