I want. . . .

I want a gym in my basement.  Not a padded floor and a set of dumbbells.  I want an elliptical and a spin bike and bosu balls and stability balls and mirrors and weights, and a pool.  I want a big television and surround sound, so that I am always comfortable working out.

I want a dishwasher.  And a pantry big enough to stay organized when I "stock up a three month supply of non-perishables when they are on sale," just like all the frugal top 10 lists recommend.

I want Lasik surgery and not to have to wear glasses.

I want to Scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef and take a train across Australia and I want to see Europe and South America, and heck, in the summer I wouldn't even mind seeing Antarctica.

I want a garden, with many herbs and vegetables, and I want the green thumb to keep it all alive.

I want a week at Fitness Ridge so I can see what it's like to be a Biggest Loser.  I want a week at a spa so I can see what it's like to be primped and pampered.

I want a new wardrobe, and probably an appearance on What Not To Wear.

I want a pedicure.

I want books.  LOTS of books.  I want a room just for books.

I want a new car, a Nissan Leaf.  And a truck.  A really big truck.  A beater truck that can haul things and you would never notice a new scratch.   I want a garage big enough to house my Pontiac Aztek.   I want the cash to spoil my Aztek and have the seven-year-old hail damage fixed.

I want to eat out and not notice the prices. I want to eat out and have it be a meal that doesn't make me think "I could have made this at home for a fraction of the cost."  I want to know how restaurants justify charging $3 for a soda.

I don't want to spend my evenings clipping coupons, my Saturday mornings reviewing my weekly budget and spending, my Friday nights planning a grocery list that factors in sales, coupons and a menu plan.

I don't want to look at all the deals on new STUFF (cars, homes, electronics) and be so level-headed as to say "You don't need that.  If you really want it, you'll save up for it and that deal will probably STILL be there.  Or it will be a BETTER deal.  Or something new will be out you want MORE."  

I want to spend guilt-free, thought-free.

But I am happy I now have $5,000 in savings, for the first time in my life.

I am happy I am fully funding my retirement fund and may be able to see the world, guilt-free, someday, when I qualify for AARP discounts.

I want and I want and I want today, and it is hard at times to convince myself that the work of today and tomorrow and tomorrow's tomorrow will all pay off in the end.