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​Investigate the Need - February 2020

​I extended the "want or need" concept to enable me to survive a very frugal year some time back in which I learned to live on extremely little after my ex left our daughter and myself before I went back to work  when she started school.  Perhaps this would help others too, who might find themselves in such extreme circumstances, but it's good practice anyway that I still use, whether I think I "want" or "need" something.

Basically I learned to investigate a little further into the "need"
category by asking myself the following questions. This can of
course equally be applied to the "want" category. Basically if you
have decided you "need" something ask yourself these questions before
you buy:

1) Say out loud why I need this item
2) What would happen if I didn't buy this item
3) Is there a cheaper alternative that will do the trick
4) Can I borrow this item from someone to get the job done
5) Do I already have something at home i could use instead
6) Can I find the item cheaper somewhere else, e.g. on sale, EBay, online etc
7) Can I wait to get this item, e.g. two weeks or a month, to make
sure I really do need it
8) Is there something more urgent/important that i could do with this money
9) What essential items (e.g. food) could I buy with this much money
(e.g. if it costs $50, then that's probably about a weeks frugal
eating).

By the end of this questioning, you will probably realise not only
whether or not you really need the item, but also increases your
understanding of your own definition of "need", and it provides an
empowering sense of self control and mastery over money that so often
marketing and advertising tries to take away from us.  
Contributed by Nan
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  • Home
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