DAY 26: Wants and Needs 77/90

Despite their many similarities, the words “want” and “need” have two completely different meanings. Still, people consistently interchange them in conversation like two pairs of the same shoe in different colors. If only it were that simple.

Wants are what we desire. People, places and things we wish for but aren’t necessarily essential to our daily lives. Needs, however, are the things that we absolutely cannot live without. For instance, you may want that fly Armani jacket or those Manolo boots you saw in the store window the other day, but you definitely don’t need either—especially when the three other jackets and pairs of boots in your closet will do you just fine. On the flipside, you need to go to the grocery store and buy formula for your baby. Those might not be the best examples, but hopefully you see my point.

As a child, you’re often told what you can and can’t do. You might want that new Power Rangers action figure, Barbie doll or whatever toy kids are into now, but mom (and hopefully dad) will be quick to tell your spoiled little behind that you don’t need it. You might not want to go to school (or work), but if you’re ever going to make something of yourself you need to get your butt up and go. After all those years of parental restrictions, one of the greatest joys of adulthood is the freedom to do what you want when you want (within reason of course). But still, there has to be a clear line drawn in the sand between what you want and what you need.

Not sure if it’s just in American society or just Capitalism in general, but I feel as if people have their priorities twisted. We’re so focused on keeping up appearances and acquiring “things,” that we forget what’s more important and ultimately priceless.

Let’s be 100% real, how many people reading this knows (or is) someone that continually messes up their credit by buying things they want instead of what they need? Okay, maybe you did need a new car because the last one died on you, but did you need to get the 2009 model with all the bells and whistles or would the cheaper 2000, or even 2004, model have served you just as well? Ladies, how many pairs of shoes and handbags do you really need? Fellas, how many pairs of white-on-white Uptowns and fitted caps do you really need? Couldn’t some of that money you spent on those frivolous items have gone to paying off that student loan or starting the nest egg for that down payment on your first home?

Get your priorities together, people. Really sit down and analyze what the words want and need mean. Right now, I want to go and buy a new phone, but I know I don’t need to (despite all the folks that laugh at the fact I still have a Sidekick). What I need are things like air, water, food, shelter, love and peace of mind. These are things that I cannot live without. My life has been and will continue to be fine without the latest new gadget or accessory. Think about that next time you use the word need in place of the word want—would your life cease to exist without that thing you just said you wanted so badly? Or would you continue to live just as comfortably as you were before?

Now I’m not saying to let go of your hopes and dreams, or to not treat yourself every once in a while, but don’t overdue it, especially if you’re only hurting yourself in the long run. I know it’s hard to tell yourself no sometimes, but every once in a while you have to. Just because your credit card isn’t maxed out (yet) doesn’t mean you have to push it to the limits. Pace yourself, and really think about what you really need as opposed to always focusing on your wants. Matter fact, take that a step further and check yourself when you say need about something that’s actually just a want. It’s funny how two four-letter words could be so close in meaning, but still so far apart.

So think about what you want to do today and do it if you can, just make sure you take care of your needs first.

I’ll holla.