We All Have Needs


64 Comments
Our Freaking Needs

For day-to-day expenses, we’ve learned to live peacefully with our freaking budget. For the most part, we get along and stay out of each other’s way. Our relationship has been on auto-pilot for enough time that we’ve got a good feel for each other each month. Sure, we occasionally get tangled up by going slightly over our grocery budget or having a higher than expected water bill, thanks to Baby Girl’s I-will-pee-on-you crusades. But those are tolerable.

You might be asking yourself: then why is your stupid blog called Our Freaking Budget, bozoface. (I’m taking great liberty in assuming you care to ask questions about our blog AND that you’re an eight-year-old who calls people “bozoface.”) Great question! Outside of our routine and expected expenses, we have other material “needs” that our budget requires us to prioritize. So sometimes, that haircut, pair of shoes, LEGO Expedition Shuttle set (for Baby Girl, duh), minor car repair and other “needs” have to be prioritized. And that means that our budget holds us back from getting some perceived necessities.

Here’s a sampling of some of our needed items that keep getting passed over thanks (no thanks) to our freaking budget.

Johnny’s Need

Johnny's Need

New Pair of Vans Shoes – $40 – I’m from the West Coast, so I’m fiercely loyal to Vans. Since age six or so, I’ve always owned at least one pair of Vans. They’re cheap, they’re simple, they’re just normal shoes. As you can see above, my current pair has seen better days. Joanna gave them to me five years ago for our very first Christmas. My aged pair now provides more-than-adequate ventilation, excellent access to rain water, and little-to-no heel support.

What’s the hold up: They still do their job! And I kinda like the look. I feel like it’s an unnecessary expense until they become open-faced shoes. But come to think of it, that could look pretty cool, too…

Joanna’s Need

Joanna's Need

Chicago Cutlery Knife Set  $106 – In our engagement haze, we neglected to put knives on our registry list. But someone swooped in and saved the day and got us a basic starter set. And for the last six years, they’ve done their job. Ish. They’re not the sharpest or sturdiest, but they’re fantastic for slicing open Amazon boxes. That’s what knife sets are for, right?

What’s the hold up: Again, they (sorta) do their job. And other not-so-great kitchen items have always edged them out on our list: new cookware, mixer, utensils. So until one of us loses a limb, they’ll likely stay in the budget “need” cellar.

Baby Girl’s Need

Sally's Need

Baby Einstein Jumper – $90 – Our baby is one needy lil’ baby. And for now, we wouldn’t have it any other way. We love holding her and spending time with her. But there’s one little problem: she’s a freaking butterball. She weighed in at 17 lbs. yesterday at her 4-month appointment, ranking her in the 98th percentile. Which validates why our arms and backs constantly feel sore. I got a better workout holding her for two hours in church on Sunday than any P90X regimen. That said, we think it might be time to upgrade her play situation and give our ripped muscles a break.

What’s the hold up: Why in the world would we give up our own personal trainer? Seriously though, it’s not an anticipated expense and it’s a lot to shell out for a single month’s budget. We’ve also got a trip to visit family on the horizon which will use up a lot of our Everything Else budget (which you can read more about here) for the next month.

Persie’s Need

Persie's Need

Scratching Ramp – $16 – Is it weird to anyone else that we house wild animals in our homes? Domesticated schmomesticated — they’re freaking animals. In our homes. On human furniture. I can’t be the only one that thinks that’s weird. Anyway, since we have a wild animal living in our house, she needs things to scratch and we’ve been needing to get Persie a new cardboard ramp for a while. I don’t really understand why she needs something to scratch, but I’m just a dumb human.

What’s the hold up: We’ve got a lot of human needs that seem to be percolating to the top of our priorities right now, especially since we added a new mini-human to the brood. And so Persie has been finding new, creative ways to risk her lives entertain herself . Our neglect toward her is temporary and whenever our Everything Else budget opens up a bit, we’ll throw it in with an order of litter. Because she’s a WILD ANIMAL that digs a hole for a bathroom.

Such is life on a budget. If you have “needs” that have to get in line until your budget is ready for them, then you’re doing things right. And just when you think you can’t hold out any longer, just remember you’ve got fellow budgeters right there with you.

So weigh in fellow Internet-ers: who’s got the greatest need? Is there something your freaking budget or Debt Monster has been holding you back from getting? Or are we a petty group that needs to learn a thing or two from an old-timer who walked uphill both ways in snow to get to school?

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64 Comments

  • Reply Elvin @ Journey To Millions May 7, 2013 at 7:45 am

    Seriously? Obviously, Johnny should get that new pair of shoes!

    Anyway, last weekend, my wife and I talked about our freaking budget. She has this urge to go on shopping but having second thoughts about it because we don’t want to overspend – usually we overspend on shopping. She said that two different personas were shouting at each other giving her some migraines. Until we realized that part of human beings’ needs are food, shelter, clothing etc. We will not survive without them BUT aside from that we also need to fulfill our wants. So, in case we need something, I think we need to allocate budget on it. In my case, a new 1TB hard drive for our movies. 🙂

    • Reply Joanna May 8, 2013 at 1:49 am

      You and your wife are very smart to balance your needs and wants and to keep it in a budget. You’ll be able to hold as many movies as you want with a TB!

  • Reply Sarah @ Pretty Providence May 7, 2013 at 8:19 am

    HAHA oh my gosh. I also neglected to put knives on my registry when I got married 4 years ago, and no one swooped. Guess what? I still don’t have knives because I just don’t want them as badly as I want other things! Although, the few hand-me-down knives we have scrounged up to use are SUPER dull now, you know, from all of the Amazon box-opening, and I think they are beyond repair. I think the time is coming that I will have to splurge. I have a feeling cooking will be a ton easier, but right now I’m kind of in blissful ignorance. These dull knives are all I’ve ever known.

    • Reply Joanna May 8, 2013 at 1:53 am

      Precisely! You said what I meant to say — I just want other things more! I’m at the end of my rope now, though. Anyone who’s come over to our house and baked or cooked with me tells me good knives I should get, haha. It’s getting kind of shameful.

    • Reply Mia May 8, 2013 at 10:20 pm

      Try Santoku knives! All we had for awhile was a cheap knife-block set, you know the kind where they all have serrated edges and are kind of bend-y… We were gifted this Santoku set of 3″, 5″ and 7″ blades (http://pinterest.com/pin/51017408250494658/) a few years ago, and I can’t tell you how amazing these have been. It wasn’t expensive either, maybe $40 for the whole set. Check out Amazon’s best-selling Santoku knives and pick out a couple of the cheaper ones, I bet they’ll be great! (http://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/home-garden/14309871/?ref=sr_bs_1)

      • Reply Johnny May 9, 2013 at 3:11 pm

        Awesome! There are some really cheap options. Thanks for the heads up.

  • Reply Sabrina May 7, 2013 at 8:36 am

    We have so many “needs” on our list, it’s not even funny.

    Ok, ok, some of those are not “needs” but instead wants, no matter how much I say I “need” them. HAHA!!!

    Seriously, a need for us is a set of knives. Just like you guys, we have a very basic not so sharp set, but they do the job, so we haven’t taken the plunge and there are other household items that end up being more of a necessity than the knives. And we’re working on saving for when my husband graduates college in a few years so we can move. Since it will be a huge move, and we want living expenses for a few months once we arrive in our new state (that has yet to be determined), that is definitely a priority over a new knife set. lol

    • Reply Joanna May 8, 2013 at 1:59 am

      It gets really awkward when a visitor is helping me prepare dinner and they say, “Do you have a sharper knife I could use?” and my response is, “Umm, that’s my sharpest one, actually.” Haha! But like you said…. so far other priorities have taken precedence. You, Sarah@Pretty Providence, and I should all band together and form the Dull Knife Owners Club.

  • Reply Brian May 7, 2013 at 8:37 am

    Who needs new shoes? I have a pair of flip flops that are held togeather with duct tape and they are my favorites!

    oooh that Baby Einstein bouncers is nice… we have one like that at my parent’s house (purchased it from one of my wife’s co-workers for $30!).

    17Lbs! Holy Crap!… Our little guy is only 19.3 and he is 11 months. Of course he was six weeks early and then dealt with never ending ear infections from December until April (tubes to the rescue!).

    • Reply Joanna May 8, 2013 at 2:38 am

      Knowing Johnny, he’ll probably resort to duct tape to keep me from throwing his shoes in the trash can. Boys.

      Our little girl’s eating for two or three babies right now, so I think she’s the odd one out! And poor little guy. Ear infections are no fun. Johnny had tubes when he was younger, and he’s none the worse for wear. 😉

  • Reply Wendy May 7, 2013 at 8:45 am

    Seriously check out Craigslist or garage sales for one of those bouncers for baby girl. Most come nearly all the way apart so you can wash (and/or sterilize) all the pieces before she uses it and you’ll save a big chunk of change!

    • Reply Susan K May 7, 2013 at 9:16 am

      I just found your blog and am now following. I have some advice, if I may!

      -go Craigslist or consignment for the bouncer. I know this is REALLY hard with a new baby. I’m now two babies deep, and looking back at all the money I wasted on new stuff for boy #1 makes me weep. I’m not saying buy dirty or broken, just buy used. Savings: $65

      -home goods, Burlington coat factory, or other such place if those aren’t near you, carries high end knives for $10-15. Buy one or two and take good care of them so that you never actually lose that limb. Savings: $90

      -totally with you on the wild animal thing. We have two miniature lions, and now and again I wonder what on earth we think we’re doing. They’re in our HOUSE. Anyway, I have found that a cardboard scratcher can be replaced with a …wait for it…piece of cardboard. Like an old box. Or scrap of carpet. It’s especially attractive to the lions if it’s hung vertically. Savings: $16

      -shoes? I say go for it. You just saved a bundle!

      Thank you for a great inspirational read.

      • Reply EmilyHG May 7, 2013 at 9:56 am

        I am seconding the advice to get a used bouncer. We had a hand-me-down bouncer with our first, but it is with another cousin now that we have our second. I bought one at a consignment store for $35 and I plan on consigning it when we’re done with it. I should be able to get $20 or so for it, so it’s really only $15 to ‘rent’ it for six months. Not bad!

        • Reply Joanna May 8, 2013 at 2:46 am

          Not bad at all, Emily! I think I’ll definitely go the gently used route. What would I do without these awesome tips from all you awesome moms?

      • Reply Joanna May 8, 2013 at 2:44 am

        Welcome!

        We need to hire you as our personal financial adviser, Susan! You just saved us a boatload! I did check Craigslist for the bouncer today, and I found some good options for $45… pre-negotiation :).

        I never would have thought to check a place like Burlington for knives. Good call! You are just full of awesome ideas!

    • Reply Joanna May 8, 2013 at 2:39 am

      I checked today, and you’re so right! Thanks for the advice, Wendy!

  • Reply JW_Umbrella Treasury May 7, 2013 at 9:11 am

    We held off on buying a new computer for far too long. My husband and I both had computers that we pushing 7 years old. They were unreliable and so slow. In fact, the browser on my laptop is so old (and unable to be updated) that most websites redirect me to their mobile platform. It was getting to be humorous…except for those times we felt like throwing our computers out the window.

    We finally broke down and ordered a new computer last week. It was almost $1200, which was more than we planned to spend and a lot of money for one month. But it really was necessary.

    • Reply Joanna May 8, 2013 at 2:48 am

      It’s crazy how much technology has advanced in 7 years, especially with computers! I mean, the first iPhone hadn’t even come out 7 years ago, if you can believe it. Your purchase was definitely a splurge-worthy one! New electronics are the best — enjoy!

  • Reply Daisy @ Young Finances May 7, 2013 at 9:38 am

    LOL. I love the cat’s need. It is a need, after all, where else is a lion supposed to sharpen it’s claws? Those shoes are in atrocious shape, but hey, the grunge look is in, right?

    • Reply Joanna May 8, 2013 at 2:51 am

      Oh, if we’re not careful, she’ll find places… door frames, our couch. Yay.

      And don’t encourage, Johnny! I don’t want him to think for a second that those shoes are still acceptable for wearing! 😉

  • Reply debtperception May 7, 2013 at 9:53 am

    Haha, great post! I really want the cat scratching ramp and the cutlery set too! I have a defected cutlery set that my grandfather got for free when he worked at a casino many years ago. They suffice but the knives are pretty freaking dull. I have two kitties who aren’t declawed and we just moved into an apartment with carpeting, which is brand new and heaven to them, not so much to our deposit. I like how the one you want is slanted. I’ve seen on pinterest how you can make your own flat scratching pads and since I have a lot of boxes from the move, I want to try to make my own.

    • Reply Joanna May 8, 2013 at 2:54 am

      I need to learn more about DIY scratchers! That seems like a very good idea, especially at the rate our kitty wears out her scratchers. And she loves scratching the carpet, too! All cats are the same, I swear.

      And if your knives are nice otherwise, maybe a knife sharpener would suffice!

  • Reply Jake Erickson May 7, 2013 at 10:08 am

    These are great examples. There are always sticking points in every budget. My wife and I generally disagree when it comes to a little bit more major purchases (bike, Ipad, GPs, etc.). We normally agree (or don’t care as much) about the smaller purchases.

    • Reply Joanna May 8, 2013 at 2:57 am

      Yup, don’t get me started on bigger purchases. Coming to an agreement on those is always quite the arduous process! 🙂

  • Reply Emory May 7, 2013 at 10:21 am

    We had an interesting run in with “needs” two months ago when my husband signed a contract to play indoor football. He suddenly realized that he “needed” those knee braces and ankle braces and thigh pads and other goodies he had saved then tossed after six months of non-use. Fortunately we were able to carefully prioritize our budget in such a way to make these expenses work. Unfortunately, it meant that I had to go without a new pair of running shoes that I kind of wanted. Such is life though!

    On a more serious note though, we have had to do some creative prioritizing with our medical expenses. Basic things like dental exams, a visit to the optometrist, and well-woman checks have been the bane of our existence lately. Mostly because it is a big cost up front until the insurance or doctors office is willing to reimburse. Again, with some creative budgeting and prioritizing we have made these expenses work over the last several months, but what a pain for our poor budget.

    • Reply Joanna May 8, 2013 at 3:03 am

      It sounds like you guys are super disciplined with your budget, Emory, which is awesome to hear! Few people would give and take like you did with getting those running shoes. Way to stick with your budget!

      And I hear ya on the medical expenses… Johnny and I both have extensive dental work coming up that we’re spacing out over three months so it fits the budget and doesn’t hit all at once

  • Reply Anesha May 7, 2013 at 10:29 am

    I say OFBaby needs the bouncer. I have a one year old that LOVED his. Plus to get your monies worth out of it (because she’ll only be in it for a few months) you want to stick her in it as soon as you can. We purchased ours off of craigslist for half the price (was only used a few times by previous owner) then sold it for $5 more that we bought it for. BAM! You’ll thank me when you’re able to get work accomplished without hearing a screaming baby whine to be entertained.

    If you are worried about purchasing something for your child from craigslist, consider these few things:

    1. The toy companies know that babies drool, poop and spit up on everything so they design them to be taken apart to be laundered.

    2. Wash all fabric material as soon as you get it home.

    3. Clorox (or clorox anywhere for the OFBaby) will kill anything

    4. You’re saving the item from the dump/landfill. And you can always resale or donate!

    5. Plus you get to look at the item prior to buying, so if they live in a dump with hoarder tendencies and rat crap everywhere…you’re not obligated to buy! 😉

    I would prioritize the rest as…shoes, knives and cat. Unless the cat is destroying things you’ll have to replace. Then it will cost you more in the long haul.

    • Reply Joanna May 8, 2013 at 3:07 am

      You had me at “without hearing a screaming baby whine to be entertained.” Our girl is so at that stage right now! Good to hear your baby loved his. Aside from reading reviews, I hadn’t heard from any real moms whether the bouncer was worth it.

      You make a compelling case for buying the bouncer used, Anesha! I’m totally going to do it… and the sooner the better. Way to hustle and sell yours for $5 more!

  • Reply Mrs PoP @ planting our pennies May 7, 2013 at 10:29 am

    Shoes. That’s what we’re getting for Mr PoP, though he wants a pair of all stars since his current lifting shoes have enough holes in the soles that he needs to avoid walking through puddles to prevent his feet from getting wet inside.

    • Reply Joanna May 8, 2013 at 3:08 am

      That is a dire situation, indeed! I have never come close to having shoes get that worn out… boys will be boys, I suppose!

  • Reply Erin @ Red Debted Stepchild May 7, 2013 at 10:43 am

    Pots and pans! Against my better judgment, I cheaped out on pots and pans and ours freaking suck. We are saving for a move so those are on the back burner (haha!) for now.

    And I totally think Johnny should buy the shoes. Five years for $40 shoes? You definitely got your money’s worth.

    • Reply Joanna May 8, 2013 at 3:11 am

      Haha, loved your back burner pun, Erin. Our pots and pans are bad as well, but that’s another story for another day, haha. My poor kitchen is in quite a state.

      And, yes, we all want Johnny to stop wearing those old shoes!! We should start a petition.

  • Reply My Financial Independence Journey May 7, 2013 at 10:58 am

    I need a new laptop because mine is freaking antediluvian at this point. I also need a real vacation. Both are being held up because I am ridiculously cheap.

    I also need a carnivorous plant to catch the fruit flies that hitchhiked in on the other plant I bought. This is being held up due to laziness.

    You need those knives. Buy the knives. Also skip the cardboard scratching pad and get your kitty something made with sissle rope. It will cost a bit more, but last way longer.

    • Reply Johnny May 8, 2013 at 3:09 am

      Woahhh. A carnivorous plant?! You definitely need to get on that and do a blog post on it. With video. That sounds freaking awesome.

      Good tip on the sissle rope. In NYC we wrapped our hot water pole with it and she loved scratching it. Maybe I’ll DIY something with it.

  • Reply Grayson @ Debt Roundup May 7, 2013 at 11:11 am

    We need to purchase more clothes for our son. He just keeps growing out of them and we can’t keep up. It has gotten ridiculous.

    • Reply Brian May 7, 2013 at 12:16 pm

      I have been told this will be a problem for a long time… and can get pretty bad during the teenage years.

    • Reply Johnny May 8, 2013 at 3:06 am

      Our 4-month old is now maxing out 6-12 month stuff. She’ll probably be able to fit in Joanna’s clothes in a few months, so there’s that I guess. 🙂

  • Reply Sarah May 7, 2013 at 12:51 pm

    I think the biggest “need” we have right now is a larger TV. Right now we have about a 29″ television, which worked just fine in our double-wide trailer. But since then we have moved into a new house with a giant living room and a giant sectional, so our little TV doesn’t quite fit in with the rest of the large-ness in our house.

    Of course, it works just fine for me. But my husband insists that he just. can’t. see. anything. anymore. and that we need to fork out the $$$ for a 46″. Maaaaybe when we get our tax return next year, but I’m not making any promises! 🙂

    • Reply Johnny May 8, 2013 at 3:05 am

      We were totally in this boat about a year ago. We had had a 27″ our entire marriage and we wanted something newer and bigger. But there was no way we could justify it as a need. And then one day out of the blue, it stopped working. In normal situations, I’d be really upset, but I was surprisingly positive about now NEEDING to get a new TV. So we went down to Costco, found a great deal on a 46″ and the rest is history. 🙂 So whatever you do, don’t accidentally bump your old TV off the entertainment center. 😉 Kidding. Don’t do that.

      • Reply Sarah May 8, 2013 at 11:13 am

        Hahaha that’s great! I think when we do definitely decide to go for a bigger TV that we will travel to a larger city that has a Best Buy/Costco/other stores that aren’t WalMart. Maybe we can at least find a great deal that won’t make me feel so bad-haha!

  • Reply Rob May 7, 2013 at 1:45 pm

    Hey Johnny (aka: “bozoface”), not wishing to em-bare-ass you but did you just let the cat out of the bag (and I’m not referring to Persie here), when you mentioned Baby Girl’s name (ie., Sally)? 🙂

    I seem to recall that in a blog comment from some time back that, for privacy reasons, you guys wanted to keep her name strictly as “Baby Girl”. Anyway buddy, you secret is safe with me and I won’t tell a soul – not even Joanna! 🙂

    These days the only thing that I’ve been delaying in getting is a new paved driveway as ours has seen better days. But wot the hell, it’s only 40 years old and, despite all the cracks and grooves in it, as in the case with Johnny’s shoes, it “still does the job”! 🙂

    • Reply Johnny May 8, 2013 at 3:02 am

      I just wanted to test you… You passed. 🙂 I’ve almost blown it 4 or 5 times over the last few months, so it was only a matter of time. Oh well.

      I seem to remember my dad patching up our asphalt driveway every summer. It looked awful, but it did the job. I think I’d have a similarly tough time justifying spending money on it. So long your car doesn’t have to dodge 10-ft. potholes, it’s fine.

      • Reply Rob May 8, 2013 at 6:49 am

        Well our driveway doesn’t have 10-ft potholes (yet anyway) but long ago I gave up on trying to maintain it. It’s still pretty smooth, if a tad worn with lots of small crack lines in it. I leave it like that just to tease the door-to-door scam artist contractors who come to my door each summer offering to install a beautiful new driveway for us at a real good price – yeah sure! 🙂

        Btw, “Sally” is a beautiful name for your little one. You guys should regularly use it, since we’re all on first name basis here! 🙂

  • Reply The Norwegian Girl May 7, 2013 at 4:24 pm

    Some decent quality open summer shoes! Definitely a need!

    • Reply Johnny May 8, 2013 at 2:57 am

      Thank you for your sympathy for my needs. 🙂

  • Reply Chris May 7, 2013 at 6:26 pm

    I neeeed new dress shoes. I neeeeed new shoes. I’m going on my 5 year mark too and these ol’ Adidas just ain’t kickin’ like they used to. That being said, shoes are expensive. At least dress shoes are expensive. I usually get the discount shoes but they just don’t last very long. I’m thinking about saving up and splurging. Shoes are essential to comfort so why not spend the extra dough. I mean, I have no problem buying a $50 shirt that I wear once a week but suddenly $150 shoes that I wear 5 days a week 9 hours a day is too pricey? Priorities…

    And you totally can’t keep a secret. Was that on purpose?

    • Reply Johnny May 8, 2013 at 2:56 am

      I didn’t even want to touch my dress shoes on this post. I bought them seven years ago at a thrift store and I love them. But they’re absolutely hammered. Shoeshine probably can’t salvage them. I only wear them once a week for church, but I’ve been long overdue a new pair. But I’m in the same boat. Too expensive to replace. But if you’re wearing those things every day, you should go for it man. I’m a huge proponent of spending proportionate to the amount of time you spend with it (i.e., mattress budget = higher than normal).

      That “secret” blunder is the reason I shouldn’t write posts after 2am. I’m surprised I didn’t blow it sooner.

  • Reply MomofTwoPreciousGirls May 7, 2013 at 9:06 pm

    Bouncer- I agree with others on garage sales and Craigslist. We registered for a bouncy seat and a saucer and got both however, my daughter used a chair at daycare that she LOVED! I found it at a neighbors garage sale for $5 and she preferred it over hers! As long as check for recalls (bookmark on your iPhones!) and you wash everything it should be fine…I know it’s so hard when it’s your baby to go with used! They just grow so fast, that they don’t get much use out of a lot of things…and they lose interest with different stages. In addition, if you plan on more kids, stick with neutral gear. Guarantees you get more use out of it!

    I imagine you guys have a clothing portion of your budget…get new shoes, Johnny! However, I would keep the old ones for kicking around or working on projects so the new ones stay newer longer! My husband used to have a pair of shorts that he had from 8th grade (we were in our 20’s) that were so worn they had no seam in the netherland…it was like a skirt!

    When baby girl gets older, watch Curious George (I actually like it) there is an episode about making a cat happy with recycled items!

    I could care less about knives (budget doesn’t allow for steak dinners anyway…what else are they good for?!) however, my kitchen NEED is a Kitchen Aide Stand Mixer. Alas, the cost is more than all yours, so not happening anytime soon. And it sucks!

    • Reply Johnny May 8, 2013 at 2:50 am

      Awesome, awesome advice. All of it. Minus getting new shoes. 🙂 But I like that you didn’t tell me to throw them out like someone I know whose name ends in “oanna.”

      Love the baby tips. Thanks for the experienced-mother wisdom, as usual.

  • Reply Diane May 7, 2013 at 11:24 pm

    Yes, we all have needs… and I must have needed a good laugh because I’m totally laughing out loud at this. Especially the part about living with wild animals IN YOUR HOUSE! and on the furniture. No, I don’t think that’s weird at all… we live with 2 cats & 1 dog. I’m sorry, but scratching boards & cat litter are actual needs that must be met. Otherwise, your good furniture (not the IKEA stuff) will soon be shredded and/or smelling really bad!

    Johnny, break down & get yourself a new pair of Vans~ I have 2 sons, so I know that’s a totally legitimate need. But keep the old ones too! Knives can probably wait.

    Check with your friends… maybe someone has a bounce seat you can borrow for Sally? Babies outgrow that stuff so fast… it’s a shame to have to buy one if you can borrow it. Or check craigslist.

    The main need I’ve been putting off is dental work… expensive & no fun! But I just got a Dental Plan so I’m going to get it started. I’d rather buy Vans… 😉

    • Reply Johnny May 8, 2013 at 2:46 am

      You’ll think it’s weird one day… just you wait. We’ve always got plenty of cat litter on hand. We’re NEVER without that. More for our sake than Persie. She’s already venturing to furniture, so it really is something that needs to happen ASAP. Probably this week, in fact.

      Like other’s have mentioned, we’re going to turn to Craigslist for the bouncer. But we don’t mind buying one because we’ll be keeping all of this stuff for the next 1, 2, 10 babies in our future. So we’ll save a little dough getting it used and then squeeze every penny’s worth out of it with future kids.

      Dental work is the WORST. Joanna and I actually just went through this process and we’re glad it’s over. Take advantage with that dental plan and good luck!

      • Reply Diane May 8, 2013 at 12:22 pm

        If you’re planning on more babies (10?! OMG) AND you have room to store things, then buying the bouncer is definitely the way to go! Hope you can find just what you want. A happy baby makes for happy parents!

  • Reply jesse.anne.o May 8, 2013 at 12:09 am

    Persie’s scratcher! It is a need for cats and if they don’t have an appropriate area to scratch on, they might start scratching on your furniture or carpets or acting out otherwise. I just use the refill flat scratchers for my cardboard ones. You can get 2 for $10 or so. If your cat will only use the incline ones, that won’t help you but if she will use the horizontal ones, it might be the cheaper option.

    • Reply Johnny May 8, 2013 at 2:40 am

      The scratching has already begun on the furniture, so this probably will end up being the first on the list. I actually think there’s a flat refill that fits our ramp, so we’ll probably order it this week. And we should probably give her nails a trim while we’re at it. Her pounce playing isn’t quite as fun when her nails break your skin. 🙂

  • Reply KC @ genxfinance May 8, 2013 at 3:18 am

    Lol, I do that as well. Hold things up. I mean, if they are still serving their purpose, why buy a new one right?

    • Reply Johnny May 9, 2013 at 3:12 pm

      Duct tape and I go wayyy back.

  • Reply Vanessa@cashcowcouple.com May 8, 2013 at 10:55 am

    We just got a knife block for our wedding. We are so excited to use it. I’ve had enough with chopping veggies with a steak knife and opening avocados with a butter knife. Enough is enough!

    • Reply Johnny May 9, 2013 at 3:23 pm

      Maybe Joanna and I can renew our vows and register all over again. Man, wedding gifts were the best! We had what seemed like a never-ending supply of Target gift cards… miss those days.

  • Reply JMK May 8, 2013 at 11:48 am

    We cook because we have to, not because we love to, but I have to say good quality knives make the whole process more pleasant and safer. We used wedding money to invest in quality knives ($25-60 each 28 years ago). We’re still using them. We also invested in a sharpening block and good knives hold an edge better and can be resharpened into a better than new edge repeatedly for years. I don’t see any reason that we’ll replace these knives in our lifetime.
    I don’t love cooking, but a good knife makes all the everyday chopping and slicing go a lot better, The right knife (and sharp) means you never mush a ripe tomato, and it’s actually faster to slice/chop a cabbage for coleslaw than to get out the food processor and clean it afterward. We received two food processors as gifts. We immediately returned one, and the other has pretty much collected dust in the back of an awkward corner cupboard ever since. I’m no chef, but good knives make you look like a much better cook!

    • Reply Johnny May 9, 2013 at 3:30 pm

      Knives probably are one of those kitchen investments that you can keep forever. That’s how Joanna talked me into getting her a Kitchenaid mixer for her birthday a few years ago. What sealed the deal for me on that was that I remembered my mom’s Kitchenaid and how she was always using it and never needed to replace it.

      Thanks for the tip on the sharpening block, too.

  • Reply Halsy May 8, 2013 at 7:15 pm

    I think your baby girl needs the jumper! Our girl loves her rainforest jumperoo! However,she’s off the growth charts tall so she is pretty much outgrown it! It was a good 8 months use though! Wow, 17 lbs…your poor arms and back! my daughter is a light weight at about 18.5lbs at 11.5 months.
    Daughter needs umbrella stroller…decided to bite the bullet and it’s part of her birthday present. Husband NEEDS new running shoes as his are THREE years old! He doesn’t know it yet but that’s going to be his bday present next month. I need summer shorts that actually fit for an upcoming vacation,but the husband and baby girl just got some summer clothes(lets be honest mainly baby girl got some clothes)so that ones not in the budget .

    • Reply Johnny May 9, 2013 at 3:33 pm

      I’m all about combining needs with holidays and special occasions. I would much rather receive new Vans for my birthday than ordering some today. Then, at least, I feel like there’s a reason for the “splurge.” Hopefully you end up with some extra dough in your budget at the end of the month so you can snag your summer shorts.

  • Reply Well Heeled Blog May 10, 2013 at 12:07 pm

    Can a chubby little Welsh Corgi puppy be a NEED? The hold-up is that I currently have no job, no house, no yard, and therefore no way to supporting said puppy. ONE DAY (soon, hopefully)!

    • Reply Johnny May 13, 2013 at 1:23 am

      Joanna somehow convinced me that a cat was a “need” a few years ago. That spawned new budgets needs like cat food, littler, etc., so make sure you look at the big picture before bringing a little Corgi home.

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