What do you consider a necessity?

[marycaym]

But, our 14yo daughter is now getting an off-label cancer treatment in an attempt to halt a disease that is taking her vision. When we discussed it with her doctor, it didn't even cross my mind to think of it as anything less than absolutely necessary. Your comment just brought this to mind and made me realize how quickly my priorities changed.[/B]

Indimom, totally OT but is your daughter getting Avastin? We have been going through a very similar situation with our 14 year old the past year and she was given Avastin 3x injected directly into her eye.

 

[englishteacha]

I agree that necessities are food, water, and shelter. They are needed to survive. When it comes to a personal budget, those must come first. In a government budget, the necessities are different, and I can't even begin to figure out what those things might be.

I know, personally, that we can get by on very little, because we've done it. I have friends who have lived in their cars during tough times (and no one would have known it, outside of a few close friends), I have friends and family who are living with many people under one roof, because that's how they can afford to keep their family clothed and fed and with a place to live.

For "Luxury needs", those things beyond food, water, and shelter, I have a few that make my life a lot more comfortable. We need at least one vehicle. We have 2, but we know if we had to we could be a one-car family. We need some sort of phone, and for my DH's work we need the internet. And for my own personal sanity, I need a way to keep clean, and to clean my clothes, but I can certainly make do with a bucket and water if need be.

It would be difficult to give up dining out or ordering take out. We live in a very rural area far from family and our closest friends. To see our loved ones we have to drive at least an hour, usually more, and if the budget were really tight, we'd have to decrease our visits (which aren't all that often to begin with.).

 

[indimom]

But, our 14yo daughter is now getting an off-label cancer treatment in an attempt to halt a disease that is taking her vision. When we discussed it with her doctor, it didn't even cross my mind to think of it as anything less than absolutely necessary. Your comment just brought this to mind and made me realize how quickly my priorities changed.[/B]

Indimom, totally OT but is your daughter getting Avastin? We have been going through a very similar situation with our 14 year old the past year and she was given Avastin 3x injected directly into her eye.

Wow, you nailed it. Does your 14yo have POHS or is it another condition that causes CNV? Our daughter got her first Avastin shot five weeks ago. She is scheduled for two more, and then we take a break to see if it holds. She had two PDTs, which helped for about a month, but then it started leaking again. We're hoping this will work better.

How strange to meet another parent on here with a such a similar situation and timing. Our daughter started with this last year also (August or thereabouts).
How is yours doing since the shots? Any improvement?

OP, sorry for the OT. Just amazed by the coincidence. I haven't met anyone else with a child getting this treatment.

 

[wtrmlnlabs]

That is just off the top of my head. I just don't understand what the "extras" are that people are so keen for the government to cut. I need it all.

I'd say the "extras" that can be cut include:

health care for life if you serve even one term in gov't.

being paid outrageous amounts of money for a job and then still getting the perks of free vehicles, gas, meals, hotels, etc even if not necessary

sending an entourage of a kazillion people along on trips because the first lady "needs" someone to do her hair, pick her clothes, do her make up (I don't really know what these people are all for I'm exaggerating a bit, I hope you get my point)

Giving food stamps, medical care, unemployment, cash assistance, to people that don't have to prove they're not on drugs, don't have to prove they are actually trying to find a job...

I do not keep up with all the junk the gov't does because it'll just make me very angry. This is just a quick off MY head list of things the gov't could cut down on.

 

[drcmk]

I'd say the "extras" that can be cut include:

health care for life if you serve even one term in gov't.

sending an entourage of a kazillion people along on trips because the first lady "needs" someone to do her hair, pick her clothes, do her make up (I don't really know what these people are all for I'm exaggerating a bit, I hope you get my point)

Giving food stamps, medical care, unemployment, cash assistance, to people that don't have to prove they're not on drugs, don't have to prove they are actually trying to find a job....

Except that most of what you've said isn't true. Elected officials have to meet the same retirement criteria as other federal employees. Michelle Obama has the same number of staff members as every other modern first lady and they are primarily secretaries (and she doesn't get paid a dime for all the work she does and isn't permitted to earn money). I'm not resentful of people that need food stamps or unemployment. I'm grateful that I don't need it now and that it would be there for me if I did. If our government spent a little more $$ on education, I'm sure there would be less demand for food stamps and unemployment.

I still think that government is a necessity and I'm grateful to have been born into the USA government.

 

[JoiseyMom]

Food = yes is it is a well balanced meal, safe food and clean drinking water; no to eating out, organic all beverages other than milk for a young child and foods that are costly (lobster, steak, brie cheese, etc.).

Clothing = yes it it keep me warm in the winter, is needed for my job, keeps me cool in the summer and is not expenseive; no = to designer clothing, extensive amounts of clothing (5- pairs of shoes) and getting a new wardrobe each year.

Shelter = yes to a safe and secure basic home; no = to large homes that have more room than is needed.

health care = yes to basic health care (infections, broken bones and the like); no to plastic surgery, cancer treatments that only extend your life for a short time or are considered experimental.

Car = yes if the car is a basic car that is used to get to and from work, grocery stores and doctors. ; no = if the car is loaded and not needed to get around.

Cell phone = yes if it is needed for your job and only what is needed; no to everything else.

Internet = yes to basic access because you can work with it and search for a job; no = to high speed internet to watch vidoes or play games.

Cable = yes to basic cable, as it is cheap entertainment; no to anything else.

Vacation = yes one needs time off from work; no to going some place and not airline tickets.

Wow...sorry to say you, in my opinion have a warped sense of needs and wants. Where I live I can buy steak on sale for 2.00/lb or less, that is the same price I pay for ground beef and not expensive.

Cancer treatment to saves one life even if experimental (which is how all treatments start out) are a need. If you get cancer or your child and you don't want them to live an extra few months...well I guess that is your choice. I am sure the majority will fight fight fight to live depending on the circumstances.

Internet is not a need, unless that is how you do your job from home. Otherwise, if you are looking for work, there is the public library.

Cable is a want, get rabbit ears and you have TV channels. Want cheap entertainment...play a board game or rend a 1.00 DVD.

Vacations....they are so want based it isn't funny! No one needs a vacation to survive and live. Are they nice yes...do we feel we need them oh, absolutely....but not at the cost of other real needs, like food, shelter, water, heat and clothing.

 

[Sorsha]

Except that most of what you've said isn't true. Elected officials have to meet the same retirement criteria as other federal employees. Michelle Obama has the same number of staff members as every other modern first lady and they are primarily secretaries (and she doesn't get paid a dime for all the work she does and isn't permitted to earn money). I'm not resentful of people that need food stamps or unemployment. I'm grateful that I don't need it now and that it would be there for me if I did. If our government spent a little more $$ on education, I'm sure there would be less demand for food stamps and unemployment.

I still think that government is a necessity and I'm grateful to have been born into the USA government.

 

[GinnyEmma]

I agree with your list. Right now for husband's job he has to have the cell, texting and Internet. The rest of us don't need it.

 

[williamson_ja]

Okay, so by your definition, the following are 'luxuries' I don't think 99% of the people in the USA are going to classify these as luxuries:

Electricity
Running Water
Sewage System
Public Education System


For my family, internet IS a necessity. My Husband works at home as a computer system designer and without Skype, the internet, teleconferencing etc, he wouldn't have a job.

I would say that the public school system is optional.... I homeschool my kids. It costs the government over $10,000/ year to have a child in public school. I can tell you that it doesn't cost anywhere near that much to homeschool. I probably spend $300/year per child. I know you guys are talking about ways to budget your own money, but look at the bigger picture and see that it costs everyone less to do it this way. It's not WHY I homeschool my kids. I just wanted to make a note that public schooling is definitely optional!!

 

[herdtoDisney]

Let me tell you what I think is a 'necessity' right now-a working washing machine

Wow. Dont' know what you've got till it's gone Budget buster too!!!

I suppose people went fine for centuries without it, but they weren't expected to wear clean clothes on a daily basis. I also work full time and can't be hanging out at the river pounding our laundry on rocks

I have been running between my folks (let me use their machine) and the laundromat for a week now (so I can keep caught up) and the part won't be here till at least Thu-and here's hoping it is the actual fix.

I really miss my machine I could live without the cell phones and microwaves and toys and all but sheesh, we need clean clothes in our society.

 

[GinnyEmma]

lol, you've got a point there. My washer is thumping like crazy. It vibrated the shelves off the wall. DH flipped it and still can't figure out what is wrong with it.

 

[herdtoDisney]

I had a top-loader that lasted for years, then when we moved 6 years ago, the buyers wanted it. So I went out planning to buy another, and the salesman talked up the front loader.

I got it. It actually does save a LOT of water. Unfortunately, it stopped working last week and it's not just mechanical parts like the regular machines. We had to order some computer part-which dh 'thinks' is the culprit-and he has to put it in. Had I called repair, it would probably be several hundred dollars. If this fix doesn't work, I might replace it-Lowes has a top loader energy star model for $640-something.

I just think it should have laster longer than this. I was all about energy efficiency but I might end up losing the whole thing thereby negating any savings I had.

 

[Colleen27]

I would say that the public school system is optional.... I homeschool my kids. It costs the government over $10,000/ year to have a child in public school. I can tell you that it doesn't cost anywhere near that much to homeschool. I probably spend $300/year per child. I know you guys are talking about ways to budget your own money, but look at the bigger picture and see that it costs everyone less to do it this way. It's not WHY I homeschool my kids. I just wanted to make a note that public schooling is definitely optional!!

It is only optional for families in a pretty narrow range of circumstances, though - specifically those with the education, patience, and free time available to homeschool effectively.

 

[GinnyEmma]

I had a top-loader that lasted for years, then when we moved 6 years ago, the buyers wanted it. So I went out planning to buy another, and the salesman talked up the front loader.

I got it. It actually does save a LOT of water. Unfortunately, it stopped working last week and it's not just mechanical parts like the regular machines. We had to order some computer part-which dh 'thinks' is the culprit-and he has to put it in. Had I called repair, it would probably be several hundred dollars. If this fix doesn't work, I might replace it-Lowes has a top loader energy star model for $640-something.

I just think it should have laster longer than this. I was all about energy efficiency but I might end up losing the whole thing thereby negating any savings I had.

Oh no! That was why my dad traded in his hybrid. The savings were negated by the problems.

 

[wtrmlnlabs]

Gov't necessity, yes, my point was arguing that PP felt that they don't need to cut costs. I won't argue further as I have no interest in arguing politics, but wanted to point out that although I'm generally grateful for the gov't we do have, it certainly isn't free from spending our taxpayer money on wants over needs and that it doesn't have areas it can cut out.

 

[richmond282]

I am looking at this like I have lost a job or had a significant income decrease. What would I absolutely need to provide?

Shelter- electricity, water, BASIC landline phone. I would sell my current 4 bdrm home and move into a much smaller place if necessary
Food- basic groceries, no eating out, no extras
Transportation- We have no public transportation here, so some sort of vehicle would be necessary. I would sell 1 of our 2 cars (the one with the car loan) and keep the one that is paid for.
Clothing- as the need arises, but it would be a bare bones budget

If I had to just survive, I think I could make it with just those things. I think it's interesting that everybody says they must have their cell phones. I grew up without a cell phone (as did most of you I'm sure). I didn't get my first phone until I had been working for several years. I survived. I'm sure if I had to revert back to no cell phone, I could figure out how to do it. Same with the internet. I could always go to the public library to use their computers if necessary.

 

[drcmk]

I would say that the public school system is optional.... I homeschool my kids. I probably spend $300/year per child. I know you guys are talking about ways to budget your own money, but look at the bigger picture and see that it costs everyone less to do it this way.

But it is in the interest of our country to ensure that every child is well-educated, so that every child grows up to be a responsible voter and financially independent. Do you really think that every parent/family has the ability to home-school their children and do it well? Some parents HAVE to work full time and some parents, for one reason or another, would not be good teachers. I'm sure you agree that it takes intelligence, education, dedication and a great deal of effort to home school your children well. In our area, I see many parents "try" to home school their children and then send them back to the public schools a year later and well below grade level.