'Needs' versus 'Wants'

[piglet50]

our needs are about the same as others - shelter, food, water, good health, family close by, friends, a job.

our wants are basically more and better of everything else - tv, car, clothes, video games, etc.

the comment about the internet possibly being a need was interesting. it would be a more economical way of working, getting news, etc. but don't you think that if people cut out these other things and used the internet, the powers that be would make it so expensive to use that the "average" folks who have access now would no longer be able to afford it.

 

[NMAmy]

I grew up with a parent who lived through the depression/war years in a large family without much money. The difference between needs and wants was drummed into me from toddlerhood!

I grew up with two parents who lived through the depression so I got a double dose. DH grew up with two parents who lived through WWII in England and hard times afterwards. We're both pretty frugal as a result and live well below our means but this economy makes me want to tighten our belts even more.

Our needs are the usual...home, utilities, food, keeping our paid for cars in good repair, and I need a new pair of boots because winter in Michigan is coming and one of my boots from last year has a hole. Everything else is a want.

 

[happygirl]

needs
Clothes
Food
Electric
Propane
Health for myfamily

Wants
Everything else

 

[kinntj]

needs: food, car, shelter, and insurance.
wants: furniture for the living room, and everything else.

 

[punkin]

Needs: food, shelter, reliable transportation
Wants: eating out, house in really good neighborhood with fabulous schools, vacations, new car

 

[slo]

I NEED to have our house, food in my kids bellies, and clothes that fit on my kids bodies. I also NEED to provide anything else for my girls that is NEEDED in their lives.


I WANT some new clothes for me, I WANT to take my family to the movies w/o feeling guilty, I WANT to go on vacation in 2 weeks and not make it an economy trip (we are buying basically no souveniers and we are staying off property), I WANT to have a weekend get-away with just my DH, and the list goes on and on.


I own my own business, and people are just not shopping. Therefore, I don't get paid, because all store money goes to store bills - this is how this economy nightmare snowballs. When people don't spend money with me, I don't spend money elsewhere either for myself, or for the store, and then other businesses suffer, and then those businesses don't spend money, because they can't, and the snowball keeps rolling and getting bigger. These are truly tough times, and I'm white knuckling it all the way, while I hold on tight, and hope for things to get better.

 

[photobob]

Good question, I've been thinking about going through our budget to see where we may be putting to much money towards wants and try to curb that a bit. The needs have become more expensive, particularly gasoline and food, Alabama Power just increased rates by 8% this week and were trying to get 15%!
Needs:
God, family, food, shelter, transportation, career, *DVC

Wants:

IMAC, flat screened HD television, Canon 5dMKII, my son to graduate college on time, more DVC points, world peace, steak w/cream cheese mashed potatoes preceded by cheese soup and pretzel bread from Le Cellier

*Note that I have DVC as a need. I do consider vacation as a need. I truly believe that it is vital to my mental and emotional well being to take vacations. I don't mean just taking off work for a week and staying home, but a true vacation to escape for a week. No place affords me a better escape than WDW. Now I may watch my wants and needs while there, but being there is a need for me.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Basic necessities- food/water, shelter, transportation.

I need my car to drive around for groceries, school, to see our families, shopping. However, I would like to own a minivan or a crossover.

I need a new motor for my furnace, and it is going to get replaced this week. W need heat for winter.

The children need new winter clothes and winter jackets, and winter boots.

I want to go back to Disney World (last visit was 2005 in DL). Disney will always be there, so it's not like I will die if I don't go.

I want a heavy leather coat. What I have is more than sufficient to keep me warm this winter.

 

[shortbun]

Food- need
restaurant food someone else prepares and cleans up - want

world peace - need

 

[Belle1962]

Need:
food; shelter (and basic utilities); clothing, employment if you are not indepedently rich

Wants:
Steak instead of hamburgers; large house instead of smaller house-apartment; cable instead of basic tv; higher end "in" clothing; a job that pays---it might not be a job you like or a salary you want/used to have but if it's a job that pays money sometimes you can't be picky.


Wishes (stuff you would like/want but may not be realistic):
vacations; stay at home with kids and not work an outside job; the perfect job; private schools; extra curricular activities for kids and adults; internet (unless you need it for your job/job hunt); the latest technology in.....(fill in the blank);

 

[Mermaid02]

We NEED:
Healthy Nutritious food
a warm, safe home
safe vehicles to drive/ride in
to pay our bills without charging ANYTHING

We WANT:
to eat out
new cars
to go on vacation

 

[C.Ann]

Needs:

The continuation of my health care coverage - paid for myself.
Medications.
Food
Water
Basic clothing
Housing/home owner's insurance
Heat
Electric
Telephone for emergencies
Car (no public transportation)
Car insurance/registration/inspection
Gas for car
Continued income to pay for all of the above - plus taxes
---------------------

Wants:

Anything else is a "want" - not a "need"..

 

[EthansMom]

Needs:

Food
Roof over our heads (not necessarily a house)
Heat
Electricity
Health insurance (two kids with asthma & DH has other health problems)
Medications

Wants:

Vacations
T.V.
Kids' sports
Books

 

[GeorgeG]

From what I've read here most of you seem to have a pretty good grasp on reality. A lot of those in trouble right now have not been able to separate need from want and/or simplyy want more than they need and can afford.

For me, it's the basics just like all of you. I have just about everything I need and even a good deal of what I want. I've always known that I'll never have that 160' yacht I've always wanted, but that doesn't mean I can't have a few dreams. Other than the yacht, my wants are pretty simple and affordable for a guy in my situation. I'm having steak tonight, but I could be happy with a PB&J sandwich. As long as my pension and social security are safe I'll be happy.

 

[PaulaSB12]

I need enough money to pay the mortgage and bills, I want to go to Moscow to see the Bolshoi Ballet perform the Nutcracker (and I think I will have enough if I buy a cheaper car next year)

 

[Planogirl]

the comment about the internet possibly being a need was interesting. it would be a more economical way of working, getting news, etc. but don't you think that if people cut out these other things and used the internet, the powers that be would make it so expensive to use that the "average" folks who have access now would no longer be able to afford it.

Possibly... But maybe not as long as competition stays strong. With so many companies and different of getting Internet (even cheap dial up!) the costs may just stay low. At least I hope so!

 

[ZipaDeeDooDah]

From what I've read here most of you seem to have a pretty good grasp on reality. A lot of those in trouble right now have not been able to separate need from want and/or simplyy want more than they need and can afford.

For me, it's the basics just like all of you. I have just about everything I need and even a good deal of what I want. I've always known that I'll never have that 160' yacht I've always wanted, but that doesn't mean I can't have a few dreams. Other than the yacht, my wants are pretty simple and affordable for a guy in my situation. I'm having steak tonight, but I could be happy with a PB&J sandwich. As long as my pension and social security are safe I'll be happy.

 

[It's A Happy Day]

Looking at our life today:

Needs:
DH & my jobs so that we can afford the other needs (and some of the wants).
Our mortgage, electric, water, heating (gas) for utilitites.
Food & clothing - not too picky on either - doesn't need to be brand name, label.

Wants:
Cable (although there are days I feel like it's a need)
cell phone - don't have one but have started looking at different plans/phones
trip to WDW - hopefully next fall but because of needs we have put that off till then.