copy cat

[verbicide]

I really liked a post that lietya copied from fairoriana on this subject, essentially creating a meme. All credit goes to them!

http://www.bankrate.com/bos/news/pf/20080603_new_necessities_a1.asp

Like her, I enjoy articles about frugality and finance. According to this one, there's a list of supposed "new necessities" that people feel they have to have. Which of these do you include in your lifestyle? Is there anything you feel you could do without, but don't want to? (I think that luxuries are a good thing too - provided that the money exists and whatever it is is returning sufficient value for that money.)

1. Daily latte -- I don't drink coffee often, just socially.
2. Cable TV -- Worth every bleeding penny to me. Though I refuse to go digital until they make me.
3. Manicure/pedicure -- I get these semi-frequently. Pedicures 3-4x a year. Manicures rarely.
4. Botox -- Err, no.
5. Bottled water -- I really love bottled water. It means I'll actually drink it, so for me it's sort of worth it. But I feel guilty about it nonetheless.
6. Second car -- Nope, but it's just me.
7. Cell phone -- Yup, but at the moment my company provided both the phone and the plan. And I do consider it a somewhat necessity for me, I just wish people would get on board with some etiquette about when/how to use it.
8. Lawn service -- Just me and my watering can on the balcony.
9. Clothes -- I've been investing more in my wardrobe lately. And I have to say it's really worth the self confidence it buys me when I go somewhere (like this conference) and feel like I'm dressed appropriately and not like a schlub anymore.
10. Private school -- No kids, but I think I'd opt for public school.
11. Childhood parties -- My parents threw me birthday parties when I was a kid... but I mean they were normal with cake and presents, not My Super Sweet 16 or whatever.
12. Pet grooming/walking -- Hobbsie is gone, but he groomed himself and my friends did any petsitting I needed.

Also borrowed from her : which other things do you think belongs on a list of newly invented necessities but which you, personally, are doing without?

I think cleaning services can be popular. I used to have one once a month, but I've cut down on that to like every 4 months or so. My place just doesn't get that dirty. And the biggest motivator was that it was an easy cost to cut.

And unfortunately all I can think of are luxuries not on the list that I do enjoy. Things like Netflix and eating out with excessive frequency. The later is something I'm always berating myself to cut down on.

A lot of my friends and family travel to exciting places for vacations, but I haven't done that so much, though I'd like that to change. It's why I took that trip to Paris a couple of years ago; it was my first real vacation in many years.

Comments

[lietya.livejournal.com]

Maybe it's because I'm a picky eater, but my take is that you can't help what you like - if you won't drink water unless it's bottled, then you're keeping yourself hydrated and healthy by investing in what is a necessity for *you.* No more guilt. ;)

I did notice that the list included some things which carried "interesting assumptions" (I imagine because it was gathered by observation, not so much because people were actually presuming everyone has these things) - people who are not cohabiting will probably only need the one car, not everyone has kids, and not everyone has a lawn.

I'd love a cleaning service... and that's a good point about fancy/expensive vacations, too.

[verbicide.livejournal.com]

Well, I really appreciate your perspective on my bottled water love. It's really true love, too! And it is really my only option for staying hydrated. I'm even picky about which bottled water I like. I prefer Evian and Fiji. :)

And that's true about the assumptions. Another one I thought would be interesting is multiple computers. I have three at my disposal--a desktop, a personal laptop, and a work laptop.

And cleaning services are so freaking awesome!

[lietya.livejournal.com]

I like Poland Spring, myself. ;)

Hmm, that's a good one! You - and a lot of people - do have way more computers than there are people, though I can see how it happens. Especially since you have the sort of job where a laptop IS a necessity.

[mixed-up-media.livejournal.com]

Yeah, we're also pretty bad about the eating out. :)

Mine/ours are:
--cable TV (I definitely agree with you on that one--it's well worth the cost--though we did do away with the movie channels when we got the DVR)
--second car
--cell phone
--clothes (by which I suppose they mean "more/fancier clothes than you really need just to be decent in public"; otherwise it's hardly a *new* necessity!)

I would add to the list: laptop with WiFi.

[trailer-spot.livejournal.com]

What I find problematic is when people constantly buy new versions of things they already have. Owning a cell phone and a car (laptop, TV set, etc. you name it) if you have to is okay, but I don't think it's necessary to buy a new one every year or two to have the latest model to own a more current "status symbol". Or buying an expensive iPod if a simple mp3 player would be more than enough when it is only rarely used.

[verbicide.livejournal.com]

It's true. It's one thing to update when you really need to versus chasing the latest shiny.

Although, I love my iPod and I guess that was a luxury I felt was worth the expense to me versus buying a random mp3 player. (Although I use mine constantly.)

[verbicide.livejournal.com]

I totally agree about clothes. There's a difference between necessity and fashion maven!