'What do you NEED it for???'

Throughout my growing up years and well into my adulthood, I carried around the thought that there had to be a need for something I wanted. "Why do you need it?" or "What do you need it for?" was echoed throughout my childhood and I found myself making sure I passed it on to my own kids. "Daddy, would you get me ______ ?" would usually bring on the 'family' response. Growing up under this condition, I seem to have developed a sixth sense. Every time I think of something I want, the need to justify its purchase follows right behind.

As I look around the roads and see all those 4WD Utility Vehicles it makes me wonder how many people told themselves how good it would be to own these when it snowed. I remember telling myself that I could finally do a family budget if I got that PC. Boy, did I convince myself how badly I needed that first PC. For a while, I was able to convince myself of the need to get a new car every two or three years. I became a pro at convincing myself and all who asked, of the need for my most frivolous purchases.

Last week I purchased and installed an Iomega ZIP Drive in my PC. I became aware of the product via my interest in the stock market and having invested in the company. The drive is a 100 Mb 'Floppy' hard disk/storage/back-up device all in one. It has an incredible amount of uses and is being hailed as the next standard for the PC and MAC.

Right now, owning this product reminds me of when I first received my drivers license. I can remember enjoying the experience so much that I would ask family and friends if they needed me to drive them somewhere or pick something up for them. I'm asking people if they need any large files copied or stored. The drive acts just as if I had another hard drive on my system as is just about as fast. I even had my choice of two colors. The design and functionality of the product reminds me of some of the Microsoft stuff I have bought recently. I bought them because I just had to have 'em. Of course, I heard the haunting question from a few people, "Why do you need it"

I almost got caught looking for valid reasons to justify my purchase. Luckily I caught myself and decided that I didn't have to justify owning the product. My response caused some interesting expressions on their faces. I don't need it, I just wanted it. No other reason than I thought it would be fun to own. Just like the time I bought my first motorcycle. I was the first person I knew to own a CD music player. Was I laughed at when I told my questioner's that they would all have one in the future. I didn't need it I just wanted it. Nobody ever told me that it was OK to buy something even if I didn't NEED it. How Come?

Announcement: Due to time constraints, as of this column, we will be posting every month as opposed to twice a month...