Need vs Want vs Luxury

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What are basic needs?

Food. Clothing. Shelter. Cleanliness in all those things.

All too often in our society, we get bombarded by advertisements that show us products that go above and beyond the basics. We are shown products on a daily basis that enhance beauty, add bling, change smells and much more. And we are all human. We buy into it, we WANT those things, sometimes to the failing to meet our basic NEEDS.

It's easy to get caught up in those societal messages. You "must" have the newest, the fastest, the best. But it's so very important to remember that those things must come after your basic needs are met.

It's hard. We want to have fun, we want to have a name brand, we want to not have to worry about our money and still know where our next meal is coming from. The question we have to ask ourselves is: Can we afford it?

Need: Clothing
Want: GAP Clothing
Luxury: Walking in and paying cash for full price GAP Clothing and then going home to enough food to eat.

What is a want?

A want goes beyond the basic needs. It's a name brand vs the best price.

Wants are created by society. And we "buy" into it in more ways than one. It's only when we change our thinking that we break the cycle and begin to fulfill our needs more efficiently.

However, it's sometimes possible to get the name brand for the best price. That's where you have to stay actively involved in your shopping and budget to best make those decisions. We become savvy shoppers to do this. We obtain the wants by using coupons, comparing prices, getting creative and back to basics in our houses to have the things we want at prices below that of the needs.

What is a luxury?

Luxury is being able to have the wants, without concern for a price. And we all do it at some point. It doesn't have to be a Mercedes, or a week long spa trip. For people we are in the lowest income brackets, luxury can be as simple as a pack of gum you pay full price for. {But why would you when you can get it cheaper? More to come on that.}

If you are having problems meeting your basic needs, it's time to look at those luxuries and wants and start changing the way you think about them.

If the first thing you do when you get your paycheck is treat your family to dinner out, buy a case of beer or soda, cigarettes, run to the mall or other non essential purchase, and by the next week you are scrambling to pay a bill, feed your family or pay for gas to get to work....it's time to change the way you think.

Needs should come first. You can obtain wants at prices below needs if you put some effort into it. You can afford little luxuries if you work for it.