The Price of Necessity

[SuperFemme]

Originally Posted by AtLastHome

I'll say it again... no it is not. I know this is a personal thang for each of us.... which is kewl. What can get me miffed is having the dildo as every butches necessity stereotype. We are (as well as femmes) different about this stuff.

LOL... yup, thinking choosing one's own is part of positive self-care! Plus, shopping together can be a very erotic and sensual part of the dance between us. And one that can reveal a lot of important information that any lover would like to know about someone they are sharing intimacy with.

OK... yes, I am a monogamous, pretty much vanilla, non-stone, FIB... and am aware of the fact that everyone is different about this stuff. Enjoy whatever you find enjoyable! Bar none!

What irks me about the whole strap-on/dildo thing is that it is equated with masculinity and maleness. As if a woman cannot enjoy it as a woman.

It also irks me that it is a shocker for a Femme to use.

With that said, I am not sure that I'd call it a necessity. I'm creative, and could sustain quite the healthy sexual relationship w/o one, but I do *likey*.

So I suppose that makes it a luxury since it's not in the do or die category.

On the other hand, my beloved is a lot like Jess in regards to the necessity portion.

How's that for an explanation?

I also feel like computers and cell phones are a luxury. I am a mean mean mommy who laughs when her children ask for cell phones. My rule is that nobody on earth under 16 needs a cell phone. Too much b/s happens with them and children to the point that I feel 16 to be the youngest (and a mature 16 at that) a kid should have a phone. It can be a good financial lesson for a teen as well as convenient because you can GPS where the child is.

We've had to pay attention to necessities due to high dollars spent on medication for me.

So: no "convenient" food. that means no stick it in the microwave for 3 minutes and have dinner. instant gratification in the kitchen is costly. i like to plan meals anymore and have the family work together to cook the meal plans. it saves us over $100 a week and gives us good family time.

No fancy cable channels. You'd be amazed at how much more time the kids spend with us when there are not so many choices. We end up playing board games.

Vacations. Not a necessity. Staycations have become fun, which can include camping in the backyard, slumber parties, and free things close to home,. I can't even tell you how much we save.

Newspapers and magazines: luxury (use the library)

Super fancy hair dresser: luxury. same for mani-pedi., it's fun to do at home with the girls and just go to a salon once every three months.

Extra Hot Double Mocha Upside Down Skinny Caramel Macchiato: Luxury.
I quit Starbucks and saves over $25 a week.

Using appliances any old time: Luxury. We wait it out for non-peak hours.

Movies: luxury to go to theater. we wait for dvd's to come out rather than spend $13 per person. With the exception of that damned Twilight because my kid got the grades necessary to make me utilize an exception.

i am rambling now. blah blah blah i could go on for hours. and hours.

[Waldo]

Originally Posted by SuperFemme

What irks me about the whole strap-on/dildo thing is that it is equated with masculinity and maleness. As if a woman cannot enjoy it as a woman.

Two things. First this.

I hear this trotted out now and again and I have to wonder who is equating it with masculinity and maleness? I ask because I just ran through my mental dating data bank and well over half of the femmes I've dated have had their own dildo(s) and probably about half had their own harness.

Second. Really? Even for folks who very intimately associate with their cock, dick, etc... it's a necessity? Cause, last time I checked a cock wasn't even a necessity for a bio-male: See Eunuch.

A necessity is that which without, would significantly hamper our ability to make it through our lives, our day to day, as it were. A cock doesn't really seem to fall into this. You may say "but I can't have sex with out..." to which I will say that people the world over take vows of chastity and/or live a celibate life. Sex, despite what we all might like to think, is not a necessity to live. (But ugh, can you imagine a life without it?)

Now, feeling that a cock or anything else is significant to your life and enhances or supplements it in a way that means you put a priority on it... that's still a want, but it's something that you prioritize because you feel it's significant to the way in which you live.

For me those WANTS which I prioritize include a computer and Internet access. I might even go as far as to say they are a necessity considering that this is how I make my living. However, I could make a living in another way which did not include these items. Of course my standard of living would change dramatically but that's another thread.

Finally (oops, guess it wasn't just two things after all, was it?) - years ago I dated a woman who'd lived for a time in Africa doing peace corp work. At the time I had a real shoe thing. I bought shoes ALL THE TIME. I probably had going on 40 pair or so. She had three pair. A pair of sneakers, a pair of Chaco sandals and a pair of boots. It really bothered her that I had so many shoes. She asked why and I said "well, you need shoes". To which she answered... "Do you?. There are countless people the world over who not only don't have shoes and they get along just fine. And the shoes that we consider a necessity are really just luxury. We need something to protect our feet, sure - but could we not just strap some rubber to our feet and call it good?"

Needless to say, that gave me much to think about. I live an extremely comfortable life. I want for very little. But the best part about that is that it's not because I have every toy under the sun, it's because I do not desire every toy under the sun.

[CherylNYC]

I agree with much that has been said here, but I do take exception to the idea that sex is not a necessity. People do take vows of celibacy, but keeping those vows often proves difficult or impossible. Unexpressed sexuality can lead to really sick, twisted psyches. Pedophilic Catholic priests, for example.

Even though I live in the city I have a beautiful garden, I compost religously, and I recycle everything I can. I try my best to keep from wasting at home. I don't buy anything new if I think I can get it used. I don't replace electronics until they're well past their useful life span. Even though I loathe the quality of light they give, I've been switching over to CFL's.

I'm extra conscientious about all this because I am an environmental criminal at work. I make sculptural scenery for theatre, film and television. I'm most likely to make that scenery out of styrofoam. Big giant blocks of styrofoam, 2'w x 9'l x 6" thick. There is no other product that can replace it, and this is what I get paid to do. I can create a dumpster full of non-biodegradable waste before lunch. If I wanted to make a ton of money I would invent an environmentally sustainable, yet economical product to replace styrofoam. Sigh.

[Waldo]

Originally Posted by CherylNYC

I agree with much that has been said here, but I do take exception to the idea that sex is not a necessity. People do take vows of celibacy, but keeping those vows often proves difficult or impossible. Unexpressed sexuality can lead to really sick, twisted psyches. Pedophilic Catholic priests, for example.

Even though I live in the city I have a beautiful garden, I compost religously, and I recycle everything I can. I try my best to keep from wasting at home. I don't buy anything new if I think I can get it used. I don't replace electronics until they're well past their useful life span. Even though I loathe the quality of light they give, I've been switching over to CFL's.

I'm extra conscientious about all this because I am an environmental criminal at work. I make sculptural scenery for theatre, film and television. I'm most likely to make that scenery out of styrofoam. Big giant blocks of styrofoam, 2'w x 9'l x 6" thick. There is no other product that can replace it, and this is what I get paid to do. I can create a dumpster full of non-biodegradable waste before lunch. If I wanted to make a ton of money I would invent an environmentally sustainable, yet economical product to replace styrofoam. Sigh.

Ouch. That is a hard thing to try to offset. Good for you for trying.

I'm not entirely comfortable with your assertions tying celibacy to pedophiles. I believe the overwhelming number of people who have taken such vows or who voluntarily live a life free of sex are good upstanding people. It's a shame that the relative few "bad apples" have made us question chastity in this manner.

[betenoire]

Originally Posted by Waldo

Finally (oops, guess it wasn't just two things after all, was it?) - years ago I dated a woman who'd lived for a time in Africa doing peace corp work. At the time I had a real shoe thing. I bought shoes ALL THE TIME. I probably had going on 40 pair or so. She had three pair. A pair of sneakers, a pair of Chaco sandals and a pair of boots. It really bothered her that I had so many shoes. She asked why and I said "well, you need shoes". To which she answered... "Do you?. There are countless people the world over who not only don't have shoes and they get along just fine. And the shoes that we consider a necessity are really just luxury. We need something to protect our feet, sure - but could we not just strap some rubber to our feet and call it good?"

I so get this.

Now that I'm an adult (up until age 25 I bought stuff all the time - but there's a whole thread's worth of discussion concerning what that was all about) I very rarely buy new clothes for myself - to the point where I had to get frog-marched to Old Navy to pick up jeans for myself a few months ago (both of my pairs of jeans had worn thin at the thigh and I was talking about patching them). I can count on two hands the new articles of clothing I have purchased in the last 12 months. (A pair of black capris, a pair of jeans, a new sundress, 2 shirts, a winter coat, a new pair of sneakers for work, a pair of converse chuck taylors) And, really, most of that stuff was purchased with gift cards that I got for Christmas or my Birthday. (the chucks, the sundress, and the winter coat I bought for myself - that's it.)

I just don't see new clothes as a necessity all the time. I really don't. I own exactly 7 pairs of shoes. Two pairs of flipflops, a pair of Mary Janes, my giant scary black platforms, my work sneakers, my red faux snakeskin heels, a pair of charcoal grey chucks. That's it. And sometimes I even feel like THAT is excessive.

When you're still growing you need clothes all the time, I get that. But as an adult? Most (not all, I get that there are exceptions to that) people have bodies that don't make drastic changes from the time they are 25 onward. I have clothes that fit me 10 years ago that still fit me now - and since I take care of them they are still in good condition. Since I don't shop "trendy" and have very specific "rockabilly" tastes in clothing - I don't have to worry about how silly I'll look 4 years from now wearing some god-awful shirt that people thought was cool in 2010.

I do admit, however, that I own like 30 pairs of underware. It's a sickness.

[Waldo]

Originally Posted by betenoire

I do admit, however, that I own like 30 pairs of underware. It's a sickness.

See this makes perfect sense to me. Again, it's all in what is valuable to me. I used to loathe doing laundry because I had to go to the laundry to do it. So I got in the habit of keeping 20+ pair. Same with socks. To me my time is more valuable. It made more sense to me to save up X number of pair and do them all at once than having to go do laundry just because I needed knickers.

[betenoire]

Originally Posted by Waldo

See this makes perfect sense to me. Again, it's all in what is valuable to me. I used to loathe doing laundry because I had to go to the laundry to do it. So I got in the habit of keeping 20+ pair. Same with socks. To me my time is more valuable. It made more sense to me to save up X number of pair and do them all at once than having to go do laundry just because I needed knickers.

Haha! That's how I ended up with so many pairs of underware! The building I live in only has one washer and drier, and you're not allowed to do laundry after 10pm - so it's like a big battle to get the machines. PLUS a few of the units have families with young children living in them - and apparently children create a lot of laundry. There are some people in the building who do laundry Every Fucking Day.

After a couple of times of having to handwash and blowdry my knickers just so I could go to work (because someone else was hogging the machines) I lost my mind and bought a tonne of underware.

[SuperFemme]

Originally Posted by Waldo

Two things. First this.

I hear this trotted out now and again and I have to wonder who is equating it with masculinity and maleness? I ask because I just ran through my mental dating data bank and well over half of the femmes I've dated have had their own dildo(s) and probably about half had their own harness.

Maybe we hang out in different crowds? Because I see it and I'm not crazy. Well...

Second. Really? Even for folks who very intimately associate with their cock, dick, etc... it's a necessity? Cause, last time I checked a cock wasn't even a necessity for a bio-male: See Eunuch.

While I am aware of the Eunuchs (mostly in China and India) I kind of question your comparison of necessity. It's not like Eunuchs live a life of your every day bio-male.

A necessity is that which without, would significantly hamper our ability to make it through our lives, our day to day, as it were. A cock doesn't really seem to fall into this. You may say "but I can't have sex with out..." to which I will say that people the world over take vows of chastity and/or live a celibate life. Sex, despite what we all might like to think, is not a necessity to live. (But ugh, can you imagine a life without it?)

Respectfully, I might disagree with you here. I am not transgender, but from my understanding when one is born into the wrong body and something is missing? Replacing it very well my be a necessity. Not necessarily for sexual reasons, but I don't think we're going to tell an amputee to skip the artificial limb because it's not necessary, are we?

Now, feeling that a cock or anything else is significant to your life and enhances or supplements it in a way that means you put a priority on it... that's still a want, but it's something that you prioritize because you feel it's significant to the way in which you live.

See above.

For me those WANTS which I prioritize include a computer and Internet access. I might even go as far as to say they are a necessity considering that this is how I make my living. However, I could make a living in another way which did not include these items. Of course my standard of living would change dramatically but that's another thread.

What about cell phones?

Finally (oops, guess it wasn't just two things after all, was it?) - years ago I dated a woman who'd lived for a time in Africa doing peace corp work. At the time I had a real shoe thing. I bought shoes ALL THE TIME. I probably had going on 40 pair or so. She had three pair. A pair of sneakers, a pair of Chaco sandals and a pair of boots. It really bothered her that I had so many shoes. She asked why and I said "well, you need shoes". To which she answered... "Do you?. There are countless people the world over who not only don't have shoes and they get along just fine. And the shoes that we consider a necessity are really just luxury. We need something to protect our feet, sure - but could we not just strap some rubber to our feet and call it good?"

Needless to say, that gave me much to think about. I live an extremely comfortable life. I want for very little. But the best part about that is that it's not because I have every toy under the sun, it's because I do not desire every toy under the sun.

I admire your minimalism and strive to get there myself. One useless thing at a time (and sometime much more).

[Mister Bent]

Originally Posted by Waldo

Two things. First this.

I hear this trotted out now and again and I have to wonder who is equating it with masculinity and maleness? I ask because I just ran through my mental dating data bank and well over half of the femmes I've dated have had their own dildo(s) and probably about half had their own harness.

Second. Really? Even for folks who very intimately associate with their cock, dick, etc... it's a necessity? Cause, last time I checked a cock wasn't even a necessity for a bio-male: See Eunuch.

A necessity is that which without, would significantly hamper our ability to make it through our lives, our day to day, as it were. A cock doesn't really seem to fall into this. You may say "but I can't have sex with out..." to which I will say that people the world over take vows of chastity and/or live a celibate life. Sex, despite what we all might like to think, is not a necessity to live. (But ugh, can you imagine a life without it?)

Now, feeling that a cock or anything else is significant to your life and enhances or supplements it in a way that means you put a priority on it... that's still a want, but it's something that you prioritize because you feel it's significant to the way in which you live.

For me those WANTS which I prioritize include a computer and Internet access. I might even go as far as to say they are a necessity considering that this is how I make my living. However, I could make a living in another way which did not include these items. Of course my standard of living would change dramatically but that's another thread.

Finally (oops, guess it wasn't just two things after all, was it?) - years ago I dated a woman who'd lived for a time in Africa doing peace corp work. At the time I had a real shoe thing. I bought shoes ALL THE TIME. I probably had going on 40 pair or so. She had three pair. A pair of sneakers, a pair of Chaco sandals and a pair of boots. It really bothered her that I had so many shoes. She asked why and I said "well, you need shoes". To which she answered... "Do you?. There are countless people the world over who not only don't have shoes and they get along just fine. And the shoes that we consider a necessity are really just luxury. We need something to protect our feet, sure - but could we not just strap some rubber to our feet and call it good?"

Needless to say, that gave me much to think about. I live an extremely comfortable life. I want for very little. But the best part about that is that it's not because I have every toy under the sun, it's because I do not desire every toy under the sun.

I agree with you wholeheartedly that it's a tired stereotype and all around assumption to associated cock solely with male/masculinity.

I also agree with the way you've determined necessity vs. want.

But I disagree that anyone can tell me my cock isn't a necessity, as if it were only something purchased at a store, as if it were only some appendage who's sole purpose is sex. My cock isn't store bought, but it's existence is fundamental to mine. One might just as well as if breasts are a necessity (to other than nursing mothers).

I'm tired, and not entirely certain this is coming across as I wish it, but there it is. Nor did I mean to turn this into a conversation about dick, but I really wanted to address that little nugget.

[Waldo]

Originally Posted by Mister Bent

I agree with you wholeheartedly that it's a tired stereotype and all around assumption to associated cock solely with male/masculinity.

I also agree with the way you've determined necessity vs. want.

But I disagree that anyone can tell me my cock isn't a necessity, as if it were only something purchased at a store, as if it were only some appendage who's sole purpose is sex. My cock isn't store bought, but it's existence is fundamental to mine. One might just as well as if breasts are a necessity (to other than nursing mothers).

I'm tired, and not entirely certain this is coming across as I wish it, but there it is. Nor did I mean to turn this into a conversation about dick, but I really wanted to address that little nugget.

I hear you. I don't agree, but I hear you. I imagine there are more than a few people who feel the same.

My question to you is: if you couldn't have your cock would you cease being able to live? Water, food, shelter, oxygen... does it fall into that category for you?

I'm not trying to say it isn't important, please understand. I'm merely trying to clarify the hard line that I look at necessity with. I live with plenty of things that are not at all a necessity and there are a few of those I really wouldn't want to be without. But I could. That's all.

[Mister Bent]

Originally Posted by Waldo

I hear you. I don't agree, but I hear you. I imagine there are more than a few people who feel the same.

My question to you is: if you couldn't have your cock would you cease being able to live? Water, food, shelter, oxygen... does it fall into that category for you?

I'm not trying to say it isn't important, please understand. I'm merely trying to clarify the hard line that I look at necessity with. I live with plenty of things that are not at all a necessity and there are a few of those I really wouldn't want to be without. But I could. That's all.

I get where you're coming from, but also, from that perspective, most of this thread would be irrelevant. I believe it opened with toilet paper, am I right? I wouldn't die without that, either.

As I see it, it's a quality of life issue. After oxygen, water, food, shelter, not having shit on your hand is fairly high up there on some basic standard of quality of life. As would having one pair of good shoes, as opposed to say, 40, which is getting into the luxury standard for quality of life. The eunuch has made a choice to be cockless (or had it made for him), but still he lives. A man having his dick removed non-consensually might suffer a diminished quality of life, on a very basic level.

But then, "quality of life" is not the title of the thread.

[Waldo]

Originally Posted by Mister Bent

I get where you're coming from, but also, from that perspective, most of this thread would be irrelevant. I believe it opened with toilet paper, am I right? I wouldn't die without that, either.

As I see it, it's a quality of life issue. After oxygen, water, food, shelter, not having shit on your hand is fairly high up there on some basic standard of quality of life. As would having one pair of good shoes, as opposed to say, 40, which is getting into the luxury standard for quality of life. The eunuch has made a choice to be cockless (or had it made for him), but still he lives. A man having his dick removed non-consensually might suffer a diminished quality of life, on a very basic level.

But then, "quality of life" is not the title of the thread.

Agreed on all fronts.

Says the big fan of not having shit on her hands.

[betenoire]

Originally Posted by Mister Bent

I get where you're coming from, but also, from that perspective, most of this thread would be irrelevant. I believe it opened with toilet paper, am I right? I wouldn't die without that, either.

As I see it, it's a quality of life issue. After oxygen, water, food, shelter, not having shit on your hand is fairly high up there on some basic standard of quality of life.

But, you know. Not having shit on your hand -can- be a life or death situation. There are bacteria present in your bowels that can make you ill or even kill you if they end up in your stomach.

I'm not even being difficult. I am completely serious.

[Waldo]

Originally Posted by betenoire

But, you know. Not having shit on your hand -can- be a life or death situation. There are bacteria present in your bowels that can make you ill or even kill you if they end up in your stomach.

I'm not even being difficult. I am completely serious.

Actually. And don't even go there with me... you know where the custom of shaking with our right hand stems from, yes?

Just sayin'.

[Mister Bent]

Originally Posted by betenoire

But, you know. Not having shit on your hand -can- be a life or death situation. There are bacteria present in your bowels that can make you ill or even kill you if they end up in your stomach.

I'm not even being difficult. I am completely serious.

I know you are, I paused over that one as I wrote it and decided to leave it. I considered that humans/humanoids didn't have toilet paper for a long ass time (I had to) and survived. Albeit some might have died from bacterial illness, but it could well be argued the planet was a healthier place with fewer humans, and the ultimate necessity is this planet, healthy.

[Sachita]

Originally Posted by Waldo

Finally (oops, guess it wasn't just two things after all, was it?) - years ago I dated a woman who'd lived for a time in Africa doing peace corp work. At the time I had a real shoe thing. I bought shoes ALL THE TIME. I probably had going on 40 pair or so. She had three pair. A pair of sneakers, a pair of Chaco sandals and a pair of boots. It really bothered her that I had so many shoes. She asked why and I said "well, you need shoes". To which she answered... "Do you?. There are countless people the world over who not only don't have shoes and they get along just fine. And the shoes that we consider a necessity are really just luxury. We need something to protect our feet, sure - but could we not just strap some rubber to our feet and call it good?"

Needless to say, that gave me much to think about. I live an extremely comfortable life. I want for very little. But the best part about that is that it's not because I have every toy under the sun, it's because I do not desire every toy under the sun.

One day I decide to finally go through lots and lots of boxes I've been storing and dragging around the country. I remodeled a 110 year old Victorian home I bought in the Adirondacks. Stuff got packed and stayed that way thru that project, my sanctuary hidden in the florida everglades and finally to my farm here in Va. These boxes revealed a long journey and how I evolved and changed over that 15 year span.

You think you have shoes??? lol- omg did I have shoes and not just any shoes. Shoes and boots I (or someone) paid way to much money for. Shoes I wore once or twice. Unpractical 6 inch stilettos, platforms, etc. I wouldnt dare attempt today. Clothes- 400.00 suits, 600.00 dresses, belts, accessories. I looked at all this "stuff" as I sat on the floor in my pull up walmart shorts and over sized men's V neck t-shirt. Even on a farm I rarely wear shoes and when I do its flip flops, crocs or cowboy boots. I couldnt believe how much I'd changed. There was a time when I wouldnt go out of the house without makeup and heels.

So many other things became a priority and lets face it, 500.00 today is a lot harder to come by then it was at the start of the internet boom. Although there are some things I miss I know the quality of my life has changed along with my priorities. Here's the interesting thing tho... if I could do it all over again I would be her. I regret it took so long to listen to my heart and follow my real dreams. I spent too much time being afraid to take that leap and although quite the challenge, it has been an incredible journey.

[christie]

Originally Posted by Sachita

You think you have shoes??? lol- omg did I have shoes and not just any shoes. Shoes and boots I (or someone) paid way to much money for. Shoes I wore once or twice. Unpractical 6 inch stilettos, platforms, etc. I wouldnt dare attempt today. Clothes- 400.00 suits, 600.00 dresses, belts, accessories.

Have you been peeking in my closet????

Seriously, I get what you are saying. I am certainly guilty of being excessive. I think a good deal of this comes from the struggles of being a 20something single mother where every penny had to be a "necessity" purchase - food, basic clothing, shelter and medical.

At this point in my career (and at my income level), we probably DO spend more on "stuff" than at any other time in our lives, combined. But, for me, its about making life easier. I refuse to do the mental self flagellation over things I want. I feel that I deserve it. I feel that Jess deserves it. We've both struggled and I don't think there is a reason for us to do with less now because we don't have to.

Could we live with less? Certainly. Are there times when we do? Yep.

The 25 yr+ dishwasher exploded all over the kitchen floor about a month ago. We had our handyfella haul it away. We haven't rushed to purchase another because when we do, I am likely to replace the existing range with a mondo matching mack-daddy gas range and new fridge. There is nothing wrong with the range or fridge other than we both prefer cooking with gas and we both think the mammoth older side-by-side is just too big and not practical for us.

Until we come to the "justification" part of the mental purchase process, we will continue to be well acquainted with the dishpan and dish drainer. Where's good ole Madge and her Palmolive???

[Sachita]

Originally Posted by christie0918

Have you been peeking in my closet????

Seriously, I get what you are saying. I am certainly guilty of being excessive. I think a good deal of this comes from the struggles of being a 20something single mother where every penny had to be a "necessity" purchase - food, basic clothing, shelter and medical.

At this point in my career (and at my income level), we probably DO spend more on "stuff" than at any other time in our lives, combined. But, for me, its about making life easier. I refuse to do the mental self flagellation over things I want. I feel that I deserve it. I feel that Jess deserves it. We've both struggled and I don't think there is a reason for us to do with less now because we don't have to.

Could we live with less? Certainly. Are there times when we do? Yep.

The 25 yr+ dishwasher exploded all over the kitchen floor about a month ago. We had our handyfella haul it away. We haven't rushed to purchase another because when we do, I am likely to replace the existing range with a mondo matching mack-daddy gas range and new fridge. There is nothing wrong with the range or fridge other than we both prefer cooking with gas and we both think the mammoth older side-by-side is just too big and not practical for us.

Until we come to the "justification" part of the mental purchase process, we will continue to be well acquainted with the dishpan and dish drainer. Where's good ole Madge and her Palmolive???

I definitely now what you mean. Being raised poor and from the ghetto I thought I was a billionaire when I bought my first car. It was a hard ass climb and no one gave me nothing. I raised my son alone and when I start making big money I spoiled myself like crazy. Things are just different now for me. Don't think I didnt keep a "few" things. (wink) I kept a few push up lace bra's, matching panties, stockings and I don't wear bra and panties. (evil grin) Doesnt mean I won't put 'em on for the right person. I also kept a few shoes and bags. I do spoil myself and plan on getting away more. Is a day at the spa necessity? No but every now and then I think maybe. If it brings me joy and takes away stress its part of my health plan, however its highly unlikely you'll find me shopping again for $300.00 shoes.

[betenoire]

Cellphones are a huge luxury, I haven't had one in about 3 years and I haven't died. And, really, they are fairly new. Those people who absolutely "need" a cellphone - what do they think people did before motorola started kicking out those giant brick-shaped things? Seriously.

Bottled water is an unnecessary luxury. I shouldn't even have to make a case for that, it should be obvious.

And I know people hate when I get harping on about this....but. If you live in an area that has public transit and are physically able to make it to and from the bus stop - cars are a luxury. There, I said it. A huge percentage of car owners do not need them. Not owning a car EASILY saves me between 200-500 a month (between gas, car payments, insurance, parking). All the walking I do adds a zillion years to my life, and I've got really athletic legs. I win.

[Waldo]

Originally Posted by betenoire

Cellphones are a huge luxury, I haven't had one in about 3 years and I haven't died. And, really, they are fairly new. Those people who absolutely "need" a cellphone - what do they think people did before motorola started kicking out those giant brick-shaped things? Seriously.

Bottled water is an unnecessary luxury. I shouldn't even have to make a case for that, it should be obvious.

And I know people hate when I get harping on about this....but. If you live in an area that has public transit and are physically able to make it to and from the bus stop - cars are a luxury. There, I said it. A huge percentage of car owners do not need them. Not owning a car EASILY saves me between 200-500 a month (between gas, car payments, insurance, parking). All the walking I do adds a zillion years to my life, and I've got really athletic legs. I win.

For me? It's the other way around. I haven't had a land line in so many years I can't remember them. Now, I have an iPhone and that is a luxury. I *could* get by with a standard phone. But my life lives in that phone. Thankfully my work no longer does. For now.

And WORD! about cars. I have my six year old Honda in the drive and have been thinking seriously about getting rid of it. I put more miles on it getting to and from the airport than I do the rest of the month. I live in an extremely walkable neighborhood and I ride my bike. But I've decided not to sell it because I'd hate to find myself in need of one and having to buy an unknown entity. I bought this one new and it's paid off. I know everything about it and (knock on wood) it's a perfectly good car.