Why Do I Want Things I Don't Need?

I found a way around that thinking...a "workaround" lol which I learned
using recording software....
substitute "I don't need it" with "I love money"...........good luck with that. :)
 
 

The same reason you want things that you are told that you cannot have. I really don't know. 
 
Buying new toys is like a drug. It is addicting and helps to fill a void created by frustration (at least for me). 
...and HEY... need has nothing to do with it, if you WANT it.
Life is short. If you want it ... GET IT.
 
Get everything you want before you reach the point in life where realism and cynicism kill creativity.
 
J

craigb
I've found that the best way to deal with temptation is to give in.
 
(Of course I'm flat broke now so YMMV.  )

The funny thing about money is (in my experience) you spend it and you get more. However, you cannot hold on to money unless you have a LOT of it (at least I can't). 
Money will slip right through your fingers. If you don't buy stuff you want, you will buy other stuff and end up not knowing where the money went...
 
 

live for today, get it if you want it and if you can.
tomorrow you may not have the chance.
enjoy everything you can in this moment now.
 

craigb
I went into Party City yesterday while at the mall and asked where the hookers and blow were.
 
Boy that manager was rude...

Craig, you're doing wrong. PM for a number in your area.
 
Randy

 I don't know, for me upgrading Sonar is kind of a tradition.
 
 I haven't ever felt sorry I did it. I usually make use of at least a few of the improvments in the latest version. This year I know I didn't need it but I thought I might need it later so I jumped. One of my other DAWS already had the ARA feature and so that wasn't really a reason to pull the trigger. I don't yet have tons of VST3 plugs, so that really wasn't a factor as of yet. I wouldn't have jumped just for colors only, although I really like using color and it's a big improvment. Take lanes look pretty good .I didn't really need Addicitve Drums but it was nice to get it. I am glad to see Cakewalk working hard to keep Sonar on the cutting edge and I'm willing to support that effort.

You know, the time we spent traveling is the time I spent buying the most stuff. Mostly software/plug-ins.
 
I'm thinking that one of the reason is that I spent quite a bit of time upstairs in the software forums and kept up to date with all the latest stuff over at KVR. For me, that's a very effective formula if I want to artificially create needs. 
 
Another reason was that I was on the road and couldn't really get the things that I needed, so I compensated. I must have tested and bought almost every amp sim known to man that runs on Mac, when what I really needed was actual hardware.
 
Since we moved into this house, I've re-evaluated my priorities. I think that with the exception of 2 Waves plug-ins that I had wanted for a very long time and had been waiting for a deal to purchase, I've pretty much stuck with what I had.
 
I guess it helps to try to determine what you really need instead of shopping around for anything that you can see yourself maybe using or that could possibly help fix a problem which has a totally different solution. 
 
For me, one of the reasons I bought so much stuff is that I wasn't happy with my guitar sound. I'd buy tape emulators, vintage compressor emulation, EQs, and tons of things to compensate for an inadequate recording chain.
 
Since I've moved the focus to hardware, it helped me determine what I really needed and wanted. The fact that those things are more expensive than your average plug-in make it easier to hold back from just wasting money on stuff I don't need.
 
Obviously, one could question whether or not I really "need" the Gibson SG I've recently ordered when I have a couple of totally fine Epiphone at my disposal and a US strat. Then again, I see that as buying what you really want every now and then. Otherwise, you often end up wasting as much on cheaper alternatives up until you get what you really want, anyway...
 
I'd been wanting a Mac forever when my wife finally gave me the push I needed to buy one - to this day, I still believe it's the best move I'd made in all my computer-related life. Recently, I thought about scoring an old POD XT to replace my older POD 2. My wife suggested what I really want, so I went for the HD. Again, best decision I could take. And I'm hoping/expecting it'll be the same for the SG. :)
 
By the way, since I've placed the focus on hardware, I got so disconnected from the software-buying urges that I haven't even upgraded to Logic X which came out in July! And I'm in no hurry...

craigb
Yep.  This is how it starts.  How long will it be until they have to look for a larger house to hold all the new gear?  Stay tuned. 

Actually, getting the Gibson was one of the few things I wanted to take care of before 2014 because if it all goes as planned, a mini someone could very well enter our lives - the time I spend on music as well as the budget allocated to it would be given a much lower priority. ;)
 
As you probably remember, when I went throughout the cancer tests earlier this year, I'd promised myself that I would buy myself that Gibson I really wanted. The SGJ was kind of cheating myself out of that promise because it's not even 1/4 of what I would have paid for the Les Paul I wanted. But it'll be good enough. :)
 
So that's something I wanted to settle BEFORE. Along with our Mac upgrades and the new Jeep my wife wants. After that, budget and time and attention will likely have to shift towards something/someone much more important. :)

bitflipper
Why do so many Southern Californians drive trucks you need a ladder to climb into? Huge knobby tires, floodlights across the roof and a rollbar. Freud probably has an explanation, and it probably covers music software too. Something about being taken off the tit too soon.

Heh.. you should come to rural south Georgia. The badge of honor seems to be driving around with the truck completely covered in mud except for where the wipers cleared a spot. Another thing, in really cold or really hot weather, you can always tell who it is with the thumping bass you can hear a block away. they will be the only car with all the windows rolled down. I think Freud might have something to say about that too. I know that I do... probably not the same thing though.

Rimshot
A mini Rain?  That would be wonderful Rain!  

 

Woudn't it be more like a light drizzle?

It's a good point about hardware.  You can see it and touch it.  It takes up space.  You eventually have to do something with it--eve if it is just to sell it.  Plug-ins can get used a couple of times and forgotten about because "Hey, it's only disc space." 
 
Best wishes for a Little Rain in your future. 

Thanks folks!
 
Me I'd be hoping for a girl - even though I'm sure I'll be worried sick for the rest of my life any minute she isn't in visual contact range. But, obviously, whatever comes our way...
 
Julien - the Axe FXII is indeed awesome, but, in all honestly, I'm very happy w/ the POD HD. If I can't lay down a decent guitar track with that, I'm too blame. Otherwise, I could always re-record everything w/ actual amps and cabs and mics over at my brother-in-law's (real) studio. :)
 
 

paulo
The things that you actually need are usually quite boring. Think of it as not being boring.

+Whatever I can get.

I think wanting new things is just like a drug.  You keep thinking about it and the desire grows and grows.  Once you have it - the excitement starts to where off and the cycle starts all over.  Learning to be happy with all you have is a good thing.  Using the toys you own to their maximum is also rewarding.  I wish I had a new Telecaster but can't make it happen now that my son is getting ready for college.  I could also use a new 16" crash cymbal because the one I own for 35 years cracked!  I would also love to have a Fender Deluxe Reverb.  Oh, and there's a motorcycle in my future somewhere.  The list just keeps going on and on!  
 
Ok, back to work.  
 
Rimshot