Eenie meenie miney mo, are wants needs tho?

With all the pleasures and comforts of the world readily available, one is sure to be lured into spending money.

Your “wants” can often trick your brain into thinking that they are “needs”.

Almost every time that you see something you like, your inner child and adult brain try to tear you into two. The child tells you to go for it and treat yourself, while the adult tells you to check your wallet twice before pulling out a bill.

Before you can make the right call, you’ll need to define what a “need” really is. This will vary from person to person but, it’s always helpful to consult science for answers.

Some people prefer to define need as “anything required to sustain life” [Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs]. Of course, it becomes more flexible depending on the situation. For example: For me, as a college student, owning a laptop computer and a decent mobile phone has become a need for me, rather than a want.

Other people might prefer to define need as “something that is needed in order to live or succeed or be happy” [Merriam-Webster Dictionary].

Some might like to play video games often or shop for new clothes at the mall whenever there’s a sale. Others prefer to go on an adventurous trip to the beach, go mountain climbing or have an unforgettable “walwalan” session with friends.

Whatever you find desirable or fulfilling may be your perception of “needs”. However, every “need” and “want” has monetary value. So, if you can’t control yourself from spending too much, you just might clean out your wallet in no time.

Differentiating your “needs” from your “wants” won’t only save you a lot of money, but it will also give you a sense of power and control over your life.

There are several ways to control yourself from spending too much on “wants”.

You could monitor your spending by keeping the receipts, jot down where your money goes, and create a budget plan [and stick to it]. Identifying the root of the problem is one of the first steps in solving the problem itself.

So every time you get the urge to watch the new movie or buy the largest-sized milk tea, think twice.

At the end of the day, having the strong will and dedication to balance your spending for your “needs” and “wants” will be up to you. If you’re still dependent on your parents like me, you better save the spending ‘till you land a stable job. After all, great success requires greater sacrifice.