Want.

Love it Ali. Every inspiring.

I am working on the exact same issue. I find that internet shopping actually helps. I can load my cart with all kinds of neat things, and then by the end, I can take a critical eye to it before I continue to purchase. Nine times out of ten, when I see the total, I decide that I can live without it!

This video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seMqcijEi9o
has made it so much easier for me to have perspective and put off my wants a bit to see what I really need. It's impossible not to be affected by it, so thought I'd share. Very thought-provoking in a time when we're choosing our future leader.

Awesome idea! :) I think it would help me realize whether it was a fleeting "impulse" want or if it was something that I should really invest in. Thanks for sharing!

Yes, the old...separating your "needs" from your "wants"...great idea! Thanks Ali.

Good idea. I wonder if it will work with things like potato chips and chocolate. God knows I don't "need" those things either.

I thought I would let you know there is supposed to be a story on autism on NBC News w/ Brian Williams tonight.

great idea! and so much fun to look at later, i've done a decorating book that was similar and another journal type that i still enjoy flipping through now and then.

what a great idea!

I've been doing the same thing since I have a really hard time at curbing my desire to buy things. I started a wish list at Kaboodle and add things I see that I would like to have, but can not afford and it seems to help a little bit. I also "shop" for scapbook supplies online by putting things I want in the basket or a wishlist, but not actually purchasing them. That has really helped me cut back on buying scrap stuff and I feel like I am still shopping.

Wow--literally on the same page with you. I made a wishes, dreams, desires page for things I would love to be able to have...stuff for the house. I was feeling kind of spoiled when I finished the page since Christmas just went by. I really didn't "need" anything but like you would like to have some items for my home. I just put it down on paper...and added it to my "good stuff" scrapbook album separate from my 4 year old boy's pages.

i love you

Two thoughts: #1, I have to quit reading your blog, Ali, because you always mention so many neat things. Now, I WANT the moleskin book. Checked them out on the Chronicle website. The link to Etsy didn't turn them up. I do have my ongoing list, tho, & since I live so far out in the boonies I have to wait to shop, so many times I can eliminate some items by the time I get out.
#2. The quote about language is so apropos right now with words & their importance/lack of being bandied about.
I've also been tearing stuff out of magazines for years & am just now getting it organized--thanks to your inspiration!

Ooops...forgot to include the reference for words. I was thinking about the election campaigns &, specifically, Hillary's allegations during the debate that words aren't really important, & the responses they generated.

I do the same thing! I have an excel file with my "wish list" of all the things I want. That way I sit on it, give it time, and go back to my list to add or delete items. I include links and any other important information I may need. I can also upload it to my phone for easy access when I'm out and about.

Ali, check out this article from yesterday's Minneapolis Star Tribune
http://www.startribune.com/business/13513951.html
I have also been trying to keep a reign on my wants. This idea of not buying stuff for a year is intriguing to me.

I started the same thing just last week. Granted, mine was not as good of a home for this as yours - I had simply started a list of things in my dayplanner. LOVE the idea of having a dedicated space for my wants - and like you I hope this process may leave me getting things that I don't really need. Such a great thing to help me as I am pearing down things in our home. Funny how so many things I needed (mostly for the children) have went largely unused.

for us list makers this is a great idea! i keep a word document with a list of gift ideas going...it helps me remember websites and other ideas so that when i need to buy something for someone i can remember a thought i had months before!

Love that you have a whole *freaking cute* book dedicated to this! I did a similar thing in my journal a year or so ago when I was going through quite The Stuff Phase. It was so nice to actually write/cut & paste it all down... Having all the stuff contained in one place was great in the few cases I did actually decided to make purchases. Having it as part of the journal really helped me see all the other stuff that was fueling those wants, and that was the best part of all. Got me to the same conclusion you've already found - everything I NEED is already with me.
:)

Another good idea.
Sue