Want.

hi ali, really good idea. i started working out this past week after being "off" exercise for the last two years since my son was born. now that i'm back in the gym, my "old" ipod suddenly seems so big and bulky and i had to do some serious self-talk to keep myself from driving to target after work to buy one of cute little, very portable shuffles.
really love the look of this little moleskine book. can you tell us what "category" it falls into. the site didn't show any that looked quite like yours.
thanks!
beth

Last fall my hubby and I finished a year-long project of finishing our downstairs. Unfortunately, soon after we fell behind on our house payments and came dangerously close to foreclosure. It was an awakening for me. I suddenly found myself saying "I don't want another single thing as long as I can keep my house". It's a pretty drastic eye-opener to make me not 'want' so much stuff, and learn to appreciate what I already have. But, it worked.
However, because I do still want things I know I will probably never have, this little book idea is really a neat idea. It might be just what need. Your timing on this inspiration is PERFECT. Thank you so much!

OMG Ali, get out of my head. I just had this conversation with my friend about this. We choose to help each other out on all these wants we always have, especially when it comes to scrapbooking products. We are really blessed to be able to not to want or need anything... Have a great day...

I briefly started doing this late last fall (not a journal just for that but listing out the wants). It was a combination of things that I want personally, and things that I wanted for the house. The best part is looking through just a few months later and seeing items that I was able to buy scratched off (with the date the purchase was made). Even though the items bought were more like new space heater for the family room, it still feels good to see wants met.

I just wanted to say I kept this post in mind today when I almost placed a scrapbook order because I was afraid the product would be gone if I waited to long.
Then I thought, do I need it or just want it.
Well of course I don't need it.
It's just scrap stuff.
So I'm leaving it in my cart because I want it, but I am not going to buy it.
Not yet :0)
I do like this journal idea though.
Actually dh and I could both use it!!

That's funny....I've been thinking of doing the same thing. I was just going to call it "Stuff I WANT". I just never got around to actually making a book. We do "want" a lot. Sometimes I think about people who cannot afford to even "want", which makes me appreciate what I have and encourages me not to be so selfish. I have it good! I will though, make myself my "Stuff I WANT" book. Thanks for reminding me. ;-)
Take care,
Jax

Ali, you always inspire me. I am amazed that I will be thinking about something and see a post about it from you. Please keep up your good work!!

Love this. It's so hard to not give in to the instant gratification monster. I like how you've tapped into the mental similarity between documenting and possessing. Sometimes they feel very similar. To document something can give a sense of ownership. Often, that's enough.

I've had one of these for a very long time but it's not as nice as yours! I also put in there wall + shelves measurements of particular rooms in case I stumble upon that special trinket, vase or small furniture and I will know if it would fit or not. You've inspired me to revamp it or update it to my newest wants!

You can also take a photo of the space (say a hallway you want a side table for) and put the photo in the book. That way you can easily "picture" the side table you see in the antique store in your hallway! :)
Thanks again for all the great inspiration!

One of my goals this year is to spend less. No compuslive "I have to have it NOW" shopping. No throwing an extra item in the cart without thinking about it. Really planning ahead and not buying lunches out. All of the "Oh it's just a couple bucks" here and there really add up. I've started the "want" list in my own journal, and I've taken it a step further (for me) and added ideas I've torn out from magazines, whether it's things I want or ideas of what I can do with what I already have. Making do, so to say. It's been fun to track and as someone else above me mentioned, crossing things off that you just don't have the desire for anymore feels really good!

Ali Oh My Gosh!!! I seriously made something like this last week. I took a little photo album and did a cute little cover for it. Then for each item I cut peices of paper that fit in the sleeve. Then I glue the item on it and put it inside the album. (if the item is in a magazine I will just cut it out) I even hand wrote some things. Hope that made sense. Once it is down I have found that after a while I really do not want it as much as I thought I did. I am trying to make do with what I have, use what I have ... live a simpler life.

Neat idea with the want book! I may have to make one of those...
btw...if you're looking for a cool coffee cup with not handles, look here... http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=81916 If the link doesn't work, it's a place on etsy called Circa Ceramics. They make awesome stuff!

I do the same thing except I put stuff in a folder, because sometimes I come across a picture in a catalog or magazine. I have everything from a print of Vermeer's "The Knitting Lesson" to Latino CD's. I also keep a list with me of things that are not life sustaining needs, but are not unattainable as wants.

I have a want book too! It does help me from not buying as much (I am the worst impulse buyer!) but it also helps my husband out when he needs/wants to buy me a gift!

Hi... awesome!... You really got a very informative site!... You got a great work!... I adore you for that!... Anyhow, would you mind exchange links? Hope you do... Have a nice day!...c",)

What a neat idea. I think I'll start me one of those and maybe it will help me stop spending. Just write it in the want book and it will feel like I have it. And it will be interesting to go back and see what I wanted but never got and how I survived just fine without it. Oh I'm going to add the date too, just for interest. Such a neat idea.
Louise

OMG!! You are right on target with this one! I do this all the time, but on post-its all over my desk. The funny thing is you're right about just writing it down is sometimes satisfaction enough. Also I have been wanting a small photo printer for a very long time, but just couldn't justify the money to husband...well he knew how much i wanted one and the other day he was dropping some stuff off at the Salvation Army for me and wondered inside just to look and he saw a photo printer in box only about a year old for 50% off, he bought it and for $20.00 I now have an awesome little photo printer...patience paid off. I am definately going to turn all my post-its into a little mini book.

it is so funny to realize how you can speak the thoughts inside our heads (more of mine on this entry)...so many things i wanted to have but end up realizing that i don't really need them...and after the passing of time, you would feel the desire diminishing...but it is great idea to still keep those wants within reach, it will definitely give you more satisfaction with the things you already have...thanks, ali. :)

You will not believe this, I purchased the exact same notebook last year - I carry it in my purse. In it are all my wants, and my "words" for the year -- it works.
Ali, now that you have me hooked on photojojo, any ideas on how to compile/display one photo taken each day for an entire year? Thanks.