Over at the larger families blog, we’re discussing gratitude throughout the month of November. What are the things in our lives that we’re grateful for? How can we become more grateful for what we have? How does a sense of gratitude help cultivate a sense of contentment in our lives? Always good topics to dwell on even when it isn’t November, though of course it helps to have Thanksgiving as a reminder.

So I have an issue, wait, not even an “issue”, because that makes it sound more major than it is, and this is merely a hiccup–nay a sneeze–in comparison to a true ISS-YOO. Basically the minor issue is this: I did a survey that would put me in the running for a week-long test drive of a brand-new minivan. To my surprise, they contacted me for a further interview, and I was eventually selected to participate in the test drive. There’s no obligation, financial or otherwise, and the vehicle…well, it looks pretty sweet.

Yet, I’m hesitating. And here’s why: I don’t really need a brand-new minivan, especially not one with as many bells and whistles as this one has (though of course I love me some bells and whistles!). Even in a year or two, when we start looking to replace our current minivan (it’s a 1999 with well over 180,000 miles on it…sooner or later it’ll be time) do I need one with seats that swivel around, satellite TV in the back, tables that pop up out of the floor?

Even if we could technically afford the tricked-out model–and not having done the numbers on paper I don’t know if we could do so comfortably–do I need a vehicle that costs more than our entire combined current debt (including student loans?) That costs the amount of a good downpayment on a house?

And even IF we decided that the price tag was worth it…that our family would benefit enough from all the bells and whistles and gadgets to make it worth while (after all, those swively seats might make road trips way more survivable)…or maybe if we decided to opt for a more affordable stripped-down model…well, the fact is that our current minivan is still alive, kicking, and quite functional, and we don’t expect to be looking for another car for at least a year. Wouldn’t trying out a newer, nicer car for a week just put it in my head that I “need” something I don’t really need?

I could convince myself that it would just be fun to drive around in a car that’s not yet marred by the scent of stale french fries and bits of paper everywhere, and play with all the gadgets and features. And that’s true. But somewhere it would allow a small, discontented voice to take hold in my head and tell me that what we have isn’t quite good enough…that we’d be happier with something newer, better, or flashier. I have nothing against new or flashy things. In fact, I quite enjoy new and flashy things. But if I’m happy with what I have right now–and I’ve never been anything but happy with our current vehicle–then why risk putting it in my head that I “need” something else?

Or maybe I’m just wayyy overthinking this and I should try the darn thing out and get over myself. I don’t know. What do you think?