You can know the difference between what you need and what you want.

On one side of a piece of paper list things you think you need.  On the other side list things you could live without but you would like to have, things you want.

Think carefully about the things listed as needs. Ask yourself why you need each thing. Be honest with yourself.

Needs are things that are necessary for a safe and healthy life. Wants are things that add pleasure and interest to life.

If the needs items don’t measure up when you think about it, move them to wants.

Knowing the difference between needs and wants can help people make getting their needs met a 1st and more immediate priority while keeping an eye on their wants as a 2nd, perhaps longer-term goal.