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home › economic survival tips › Spending › Shopping Therapy › Wants VS Needs

UNDERSTANDING WANTS VS. NEEDS

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Before you hit the mall or your favorite online store, you need to understand the difference between wants and needs.

Wants

The item is probably a "want" if it is possible to delay buying an item, substitute something less expensive, or to use something you already own.

Wants are discretionary expenses — things you might want but don’t need to live. Almost every experience and activity, from after-school sports to “shopping therapy” is a want, such as:

  • eating out

  • going to the movies

  • new clothes bought just because they’re the new style, when your older clothes are still stylish and functional

  • cable TV

  • cell phone ring tones

  • text messaging

The good news is that the cost of “wants” is completely within your control and you can choose not to spend money on these activities and things.

Needs

On the other hand, if the purchase is for something necessary to survive, it’s likely a “need.”

Needs are the items or costs you need to live:

  • rent or mortgage payment

  • transportation (car loan, public transportation pass, etc.)

  • utility bill

  • food

  • basic clothing such as jeans without a designer label, especially for children

Even within this category, however, are different levels of wants and needs. For example, a winter coat when it is snowing outside is a need, but a new shirt to change up your wardrobe is a want. Cooking inexpensive meals at home is a need, eating out at fast-food restaurants or getting take-out is a want.

Some of these costs — housing and transportation costs, for example — are regular and predictable each month and you don’t have a lot of control over these amounts unless you refinance a mortgage or buy a less-expensive car.

Think Before You Spend


Before you buy something, ask yourself, “Do I need this item, or do I just want it?” You may be surprised at how many things are actually “wants.” Here are some other questions to run through if you find yourself about to buy a "want."

If you have found that spending your money on wants makes you feel good so you forget your troubles for a while, remember how you feel when the bills arrive. Usually the euphoria is long gone and you’re left with worry at paying bills you can’t afford.

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