I need this. I need that. And that. And that and that and that!  Pick up any magazine. Walk through any mall. Everywhere we go, we are convinced that we cannot possibly go on unless we have this. And that. And all the other things too.

 So how does one determine a need from a want? 

One strategy I read about recently was asking yourself, “Did Grandma have it?”

So, you want that new 6 oz laptop that records dvds, turns your lights on as you come in the door and makes toast for you each morning at 6:04 am?  Well, did Grandma have one?

Or what about that nice, shiny new car?  Imagine yourself in the driver’s seat. Some beautiful member of the opposite sex will be racing to sit beside you in the machine of art.

Did Grandma have one?

Your friends tell you, you must have this and that and this and that too for your new baby. Your baby cannot live without the latest Brainy Einstein ExerBouncer and ThingAMaBop.

Did Grandma have one?

This strategy would work well for people like me, who don’t have interest in gadgets or cars (although, I just LOVE yarn and I KNOW my Grandmas had it!!)– but, this is just one strategy. Check back throughout the month for more ways to resolve to live frugally in 2009!