Needs Vs. Wants.

With my recent list of eight in '08, I've been doing some thinking on really living out my list. One of the things that's been on my mind is the amount of "stuff" we have. In case you've missed that point somewhere along the way, we have a lot of stuff. Between clothes, toys, books and everything else that goes into raising kids, we've got it all. We've got too much. So much that we don't even know the difference between a need and a want anymore.

How do you teach this to kids when we (the adults, the role models, the big people) don't even demonstrate it?

Nine out of ten times when someone calls me on a weekday I am either on my way to or from Target. The other time, I'm in Target. Yes, this is a slight exaggeration but really I go to Target a lot. Just to pass the time sometimes. Henry and I enjoy our regular treats, a cookie for him, a coffee for me and we shop. Because this is what we like to do when dad's at work and T and M are at school. Yesterday, just to mix things up a bit and to look into a few things we tried the Home Depot out. They don't have cookies or coffee, but they do have fun carts.

Between, January 2-7, my bank account tells me that I spent $91.28 at Target. That does not include much groceries (besides maybe a few little things) or any clothing necessities, rather it was a little bit of this and a little bit of that. Actually, I can't even tell you what I spent it on. When I say that's not diapers, that's not much of our food, that's not clothes, it makes me wonder, what is it?!?

Yes, there is usually something we all need from Target, but just as often I leave with a cart full of extras, good deals and then the occasional impulse purchase.

The other day I heard about a woman with seven children who is taking a year off of buying any thing they don't "need". I am astonished, amazed and jealous. I want to do that. I want to do that, but I don't want to. How's that for ironic.

Then the other day I read this story about The Compact. Extreme, yes. But also a very neat idea when getting rid of the stuff in your life.

I will probably never join The Compact and I will probably never go an entire year without buying anything unnecessary. I am just being realistic about myself and my family.

But, I do want to try it. For a month.

So, for the next month, I am going to try and not buy anything we don't "need".

Obviously, I still need to pay the electric bill and the mortgage and our family of five still needs groceries. But everything purchased will need to be clarified and justified as an actual need, not just a good deal or something I just had to have. One of the kids might need new socks or underwear, or someone might need a new toothbrush. Those are needs. Buying a shirt on clearance because it's only $2.99 and will be so cute next winter, is not a need.

It's going to be hard. I've got gift cards for a few non-need stores from Christmas, T's birthday is coming (please don't worry, he'll get good gifts from us.)

I'm not going to do it to save money (though I'm sure we'll save more than a few dimes) and I'm not doing it to save the planet (though I'm sure we'll help with that too) I'm doing it to show myself and my family that we can learn the difference between what we want and what we need and change our behaviors.

Since I just thought of this the other day, I haven't "stocked" up on anything. I haven't gone out and splurged and gotten all my shopping out of the way. I don't have any set rules either. I'm still trying to figure a few logistics out. (Like the gift cards and the upcoming birthday. I'll keep you posted on what I decide is fair.)

Considering I'm trying to eliminate the "stuff" in our life and the non-essentials, I'm still going to have coffee dates and dinner plans with friends, and I definitely qualify date nights with my husband as needs.

One month. For now at least. My hope is that I will change my habits and live out what I believe.

I'll be reporting back my progress and my purchases, will you help hold me accountable? Or maybe you want to join me in changing the world, one Target trip at a time?