My February Resolution

So most people do New Year Resolution's, but I'm a bit of a procrastinator, funny thing is that's not even one of my resolutions. Anyway, I have been thinking a lot about wants and needs lately and how I truly apply that to my life. A general conference article from May 1999 came back to mind, one that David and I had taken many quotes from and stuck them on our fridge, I think it's time to bring it back. The article is called Greed, Selfishness and Overindulgence (I tried to hyperlink this but I ma having technical difficulties) by Elder Joe J. Christensen of the Seventy.. Here are some of the quotes that we had written down:
"There, there, little luxury, don't you cry. You'll be a necessity by and by."

"How many truly great individuals do you know who never had to struggle."

"I choose not to give our children what I can afford to give them. I hold back for their sake."

"Children who always get what they want will want as long as they live."

"Fix it up, wear it out, make it do or do without."

"How much house do we really need to accommodate our family comfortably?"

So as I have been reminded of these it gives me new resolve to make some changes. I am by far not wealthy, but I have enough to share. Elder Christensen goes on to quote C.S. Lewis on being generous. He quotes, "I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare... If our charities do not at all pinch or hamper us,...they are too small. There ought to be things we should like to do and cannot do because our charitable expenditure excludes them." Reminds me of the widows mite.
He closes by adding "if we desire our families to live lives of depth and meaning, we must have the courage to examine honestly where our treasures lie and avoid the pitfalls that result from greed, selfishness, and overindulgence. Let us each remember:
First: Not to confuse wants with needs.
Second: Avoid spoiling our children.
Third: Live modestly and avoid debt.
Fourth: Be generous in giving to others."

So this outlines my February resolutions. I am going to start by following the first point, "not to confuse wants with needs" to do this I am going to live the extreme of that for one month. Kellie (my sister) has agreed to do it with me.
For the month of February we will not purchase one item that is not a necessity. If we don't need it we won't buy it. We have built in an exception ( I know, weak form the start) we will allow ourselves one food want (most likely something chocolate) a week. Lets face it we don't want to be crazy here. I figured if we could do it for one month it will show us what we really can live without so we can focus on more important things.