Comments on: Wants & Needs Revisited

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By: Canadian Personal Finance Blog » Blog Archive » Random Thoughts During a Halowe’en Pandemic

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:58:11 +0000

[...] Vaz-Oxlade writes about a horrifying topic of Wants & Needs revisited I want to be rich, but I need to get out of debt first, that is scarey (that some folks don’t [...]

By: Donna

Donna — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:57:19 +0000

Great post. I have crocheted since I was about 10 and a friend’s mom taught me. Took me years to pick up on knitting but I can do scarves and dishclothes. My Mom doesn’t do any of the crafty stuff and doesn’t know where I get it from. I did take up quilting about 10 years ago and have a stash that is nuts. It’s all put away right now. I think from time to time of getting rid of it, but time has taught me that the “bug” will bite and then I’d go out a buy more. Well at least now I’d think it through before actually going out to buy it. I also picked up on beading jewellery and that was costly. Lots of containers full of goregeous beads at my house. Found through that venture that I prefer wire working to stringing. Now if only I could find the time to spend to work on some of these projects.

Gail is right on the money with regards to the associated costs to these things. If you are not careful, they can sky rocket. I’m glad that now we are on a budget, the cc’s are no longer being used and I really think two or three times before making purchases that aren’t on the budget.

Thanks for all the wonderful comments here.

By: Monica

Monica — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 03:18:23 +0000

Knitting and sewing while both crafty, I’m not sure if being committed to one will show your commitment to the other. As an example, I’m a big knitter and tried to get my friend to knit. She did for a bit, but it wasn’t really her thing. Sewing she got really into and does all this amazing work. Me? I’m not much of a sewer.

I also don’t know how much cheaper knitting would be compared to sewing. In the long run knitting can cost much more depending on the materials you use. If you can afford it and it’s within your budget, investing in something more expensive that is better quality will last longer. I’m also one of those people who spend more on better yarn because if I’m spending 50 hours knitting it, I want to enjoy knitting with it and wearing it.

By: Frugal Dreamer

Frugal Dreamer — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 03:12:51 +0000

I think that I need to learn how to REALLY consider my purchases better, I mean, REALLY consider them. Think them over. Weigh out the pros and cons, etc…

Even something as ‘minor’ as a dinner out.

It frustrates me how quickly I whip out my cash.

By: Marie

Marie — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 02:42:06 +0000

“tigerlily says: Actually, Marie, many computer board components are manufactured overseas, by poorly paid women in factories”
And they are fixed in North America! Working in research laboratories I saw men building boards and exchanging components of boards. They do very careful work doing so. Research equipment is expensive and little money is given to do it. The $1.49 component is affordable on the $200 + board.

By: Catherine

Catherine — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:18:22 +0000

Keep at the knitting Gail. It’s very therapeutic…look how it helped Madame Defarge!
But, don’t ever think it is a lot cheaper. Ever know a knitter with a ’stash’?
However it’s very portable and I have a really simple 101 baby afghan pattern I’ll send you. New parents love them and think you are amazing.
I can sew very simply. Don’t even think of giving me a pattern to cut out – bias? phewt! But, I’ve made Victorian crazy quilts with oodles of hand embroidery and trinkets. Talk about a labour of love. I’ve also hooked rugs and have three my Mom made and one her great-grandmother made.
I know a man who does beautiful knitting, crocheting, and especially rug hooking. Another who does fine woodworking. Everyone marches to a different drum. Just listen for the beat…..

By: Lena

Lena — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:10:16 +0000

I am a knitter and think it’s a great way to relax-not to mention keep my hands out the money and cookie jars! I usually buy my yarns on a per project basis so that I stay focused and finish my project. Plus it helps from turning my home into an alpaca farm. For all the crafters on this blog, if you want to make a few extra bucks-or buy something handmade, go to Etsy.com (it’s like ebay but for handmade gifts). Happy knitting!

By: tigerlily

tigerlily — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:57:26 +0000

Actually, Marie, many computer board components are manufactured overseas, by poorly paid women in factories. And the details in woodworking and other machining require attention to detail and meticulousness – I don’t disagree.

I also agree that it was a big generalization. I even said so! In no way did I question the ability of men to focus on tasks and produce fine work.

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:52:50 +0000

Well, this post is right up my alley! I made my first dress at 8 years of age. Yep, laid my 3 year old sister on mom’s yellow chenille bedspread, traced around her, cut it out and sewed it by hand – while mom, dad, my aunt and uncle were playing cards!! When Darlene pranced around in her new dress, everyone busted out laughing and I burst into tears!! But, looking back, my mom wasn’t mad (which is why, I am sure, that I am still at it), it WAS funny, and Darlene wore that thing till it fell apart!!! I am now 52, and have graduated to wedding dresses, and much more. My talent has always been encouraged, and has always helped me make ends meet. Gail, if you do decide to embark on this venture, here’s another ‘hidden’ cost you might not have thought of – all those acquaintances who can’t thread a needle. You will be bombarded with ‘Can you…?”, at which point you will have to decide if you want to use up your free time to help a ‘friend/relative’ with shortening a pair of pants, and if you do, are you going to charge for your time?? My mother-in-law told me 15 years ago to never take my machine out to do another person’s mending for less than $5. Diz, I only charge $8 for hemming dress pants, $10 for jeans, and $12 for cuffs. Wish this community supported $15/20 hemming!! *pol and Dana, my machines have always been a home fixture, and my three sons can all sew. The boys have won prizes at fairs, and the youngest took great pride in wearing his homemade clothes to high school – a really cool pair of black cord pants and a full length black velvet “Matrix” coat. The girls think it’s cool!! Right now, I am on my second ‘little black dress’ for co-workers going on holidays. The first dress needed boning, which I just happened to have in my collection of supplies. I can relate to Gail’s list, because looking at my ’supplies’ I shudder at the money I have invested, because I ‘might need it someday”. Something people don’t consider is that I (or another seamstress) am the one to make the trip to the store to pick up product to do your sewing. I now factor the expense into my bill. I love sewing and can’t imagine not sewing. But, as some posters have said, the good old fashioned Singers are the best. I learned to machine sew on my Grandmother’s Singer treadle machine – I still have it, but now it is covered with a lace cloth and my bell collection. I have a Singer serger, which allows me to finish seams similar to factory made. I have had this machine for almost 20 years, and paid $1,000 for it. About 7 years ago, I attempted to start a home-based sewing business, and invested $8,000 in a Husqvarna Designer I computerized embroidery sewing machine. Men know the Husqvarna name – lawn mowers, chain saws, etc. Extremely high quality. The good part was that I could go online and download upgrades to my machine and have all the new features. The bad part, now, is that the floppy disk port is obsolete, and I need to upgrade to a USB stick port. This will involve having all my embroidery patterns, which are on floppies, transferred to a USB stick also. My machine also has two touch screens; one of them needs to be replaced, as most of the features aren’t connecting anymore. So, while I don’t regret buying this machine, I need to save up about $700 to return it to it’s former glory. For now, I use it the same as any other basic machine, with the exception of about 500 built in stitches, and the most amazing buttonhole attachment! I decided to sort out my fabric collection – it now covers a 5 ft x 9 ft ping pong table, and a bazillion rubbermaid totes underneath it, and bits and pieces more in other hiding places. I have come to the realization that I will not live long enough to find a use for each piece, and will be trying to sell them to other addicts/sewers. Since I recycle jeans into quilts, everyone I know gives me their cast offs, and I hate to say no. It’s no wonder I have to live in such a big place! I need the room for my stuff. I also sew and knit, and have every size of needle and hook ever produced, except when I need it, and can’t find it! Of course, it goes without saying that I also have boxes and boxes of wool and crochet cotton, just in case. I can crochet in the dark, knitting I have to pay a little bit of attention, but I enjoy both, and find them relaxing hobbies. For the record, it isn’t always cheaper to sew your own clothes, unless you are a ‘hard to fit’ size, but the sense of pride in modeling your own creations is priceless. Everyone should know the basics of sewing, but many don’t. My son’s friend has a twin sister, who brought D.J. her work pants and a card of buttons, for HIM to do her mending. I suggested he teach her how to do it herself, and he sadly shook his head and said “I tried”. I guess he has a source of future income as well, **chuckles**…. Gail, do what is right for you, only you know how much time you have available, and believe me, sewing can become addicting!

By: Girl Makes Cents

Girl Makes Cents — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:29:10 +0000

This post is funny timing. I have always wanted to learn how to machine sew. I told my mom on Tuesday that I was thinking about asking for a sewing machine for Christmas so I could learn. She said that was silly because I could just use hers and she would teach me. So she gave me a quick lesson on the basics. On Friday I made a baby’s quilt!! No I did not take a lot of time making it perfect but the top is complete, and I must say that I feel a sense of accomplishment already. I went to Fabricland yesterday and bought some fabric to make either another quilt or some pillowcases. I think it’s a great life-skill to have!

I have knitted before, I learned in university. Just the basics though, I knitted a scarf. It was fun but in university it took me a long time to complete! I have heard that crocheting is easier than knitting. Whatever you choose, I think you should definitely take on a new hobby. Even if you only get to it a couple of hours each week, when you accomplish your project you will feel so good about yourself, and that is what it’s all about!

By: Amber

Amber — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:22:20 +0000

I knit and I sew, but I will say that knitting has many advantages. It is less investment up front. And also, it’s much more portable. You can take your knitting with you wherever you go, if you’re so inclined. Plus, it’s the right time of year for a nice cozy scarf.

By: Natalie

Natalie — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:08:49 +0000

Take up cross-stitch. $30 you’ll be entertained for a year and if you only have 15 minutes to spare, you can work on it. Plus, people hang on to the cross-stitch someone they love made for them. Clothes go out of fashion. If you ever contemplate scrap-booking, keep in mind, they’re the first thing binned when you die! Nobody wants someone else’s picture albums. ( I learned this cleaning up estates for a lawyer!)

I spent 2 weekends considering spending scads o’money I did not have on something super expensive that was a super good buy and in the end I finally came to my senses and didn’t. What a waste of good energy. I feel foolish for wrapping up all my energy in salivating over a WANT, but at least I don’t feel foolish about wrapping up all my money in it.

By: Marie

Marie — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:42:59 +0000

tigerlily wrote: “men don’t seem to have small fingers and small-tool dexterity for knitting/crocheting”
I always find it interesting when people say things like that because I have men being very meticulous around computer board components and the details in woodwork and machining can be significantly more demanding than knitting.
It is all up to the individual’s interest.

By: tigerlily

tigerlily — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:27:27 +0000

I used to crochet (like knitting but one needle) when I was broke and commuting by bus alot and it was a great way to make xmas gifts (shawls, scarves, nothing too fancy). People LOVED them. It made commuting go fast and there were a few years where I didn’t even enter a mall in the last 3weeks before xmas.

LOL I tried to teach my husband to crochet and he made it through a scarf but was very frustrated. Boy, can he make a great meal, though. It’s a big generalization, but men don’t seem to have small fingers and small-tool dexterity for knitting/crocheting. In the same way that I don’t have the upper arm strength.