Nowadays there are gadgets to help you do almost everything from managing your weight to storing your sweaters in a plastic vacuumed bag. There is GPS technology to provide verbal directions as you drive, remote controls that start your car, personal alcohol detectors, radar detectors, hands free speaker phones, and machines that allow you to track other people as they drive. There is even a lane changing alarm that reminds you when someone is in your blind spot.

At some point, you really have to ask yourself, when is enough, enough? How did people managed to live without all these seemingly essential toys? The reality is that people lived without these toys because they are, for the most part, unnecessary expenditures that advertisers have convinced us we need. And yes, in some limited cases, these toys can be justified, but more often than not, they are useless extras we could easily live without.

Ask yourself some questions before buying anything falling into the ‘toy’ category. Questions such as:

• How will his item improve my life?
  Will the item improve your life? Will it really allow you to work or drive more safely? Will it make you more efficient or help you make more money? If an item will help you to be more efficient, cut costs and generate more income, it may be a wise purchase. A cell phone, for instance, is typically a must-have item for salespeople who could lose valuable sales if they are unable to respond to calls quickly. It you work at home, however, a cell phone’s value is questionable.

• How new is the technology?
  Is the price likely to drop drastically in the near future? (Most new technology drops in price a few months or years after it is introduced). Is the technology tested? Will you be able to get technical support if a problem occurs? These are all important things to consider.

• What motivated you to want this item?
  Did you see the item in an ad or see a friend’s and then suddenly realize you need something you didn’t know existed only moments before? Consider your motivation carefully before buying an item to ensure you are not simply trying to ‘keep up with the Jones’.

We are all children at heart. It is easy to get distracted by a new toy – and to rationalize our “need” for it. But do we really need a house full of useless objects, or do we need to build financial security for ourselves and our families? That does not mean that as “grownups” we don’t have fun with toys – but it does mean that we make our toy choices as responsibly as possible.