#wantsversusneeds

WORDPLAY:  The Falsehood Between Our Wants Versus Needs

What is the difference between a want and a need?  If you asked yourself, what do you mean difference?  Aren’t they the same?!?    You have openly embraced the lies we tell ourselves regarding the things we want and need.  We live in a world where the very clear line between wants and needs has become increasingly blurred. In today’s materialistic society, the two are used interchangeable, and we often confuse what we want with what we need.  I too have fallen prey to the interchangeable nature of my wants and needs.  In my adult life I am continuing to learn the difference and often correct myself when I cavalierly say, for instance, “I need a pair of black slacks.” That statement couldn't be farther from the truth considering that I have at least 5 pair of black slacks, not counting the black pantsuits that I have acquired.  But if I am being perfectly honest, I probably didn't need the first pair of black slacks that I earmarked as a necessity when I made the purchase. Though the fashionista in me believes that a pair of black slacks is a necessity and should be a staple in everyone's wardrobe, the reality is that this purchase would fall in the want category. If we get right down to brass tacks, as the saying goes, there are people who only have one pair of pants to their name, which they must wear every single day. So needing another pair of pants, even in that staple color, was not a need, especially when I have several pair of pants in varying colors.

So what is a want versus a need?  According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a want is a desire to possess or do something; to wish for. Synonyms include hope for, aspire to, covet, wish and fancy.  Conversely, a need is something that is required because it is essential or very important; expressing necessity or obligation; circumstances in which something is necessary, or that require some course of action. I am quite sure that I will get some resistance here, but a need is something that is required for life, namely air, food, water, clothing and shelter. These are basic needs that every human being requires in order to sustain life.  So boys and girls, no matter how you attempt to justify it, everything else is a want. Everything? Yes, everything.  Admittedly, there are things that make our lives and lifestyles much more convenient, and truly add to our quality of life in some basic way.  These things are so vital to our lifestyle that it is considered a need.  For instance, transportation, while not essential to sustaining life, is a need for many.  Indeed, in a city with more than 8 million people, and over 20 million statewide, New York comes to a virtual halt when something occurs to disrupt the mass transportation system. The buses, subways and railroads provide 2.73 billion trips each year to New Yorkers – the equivalent of about one in every three users of mass transit in the United States.  Millions rely on mass transportation to commute to work daily, as well as obtain some of their basic needs, such as groceries. Others, such as myself, rely on an automobile for their vital transportation, therefore I would also classify this as a need.  

Now I feel compelled to clarify a point.  As stated above, I rely on a vehicle for transportation.  I was fortunate enough to have two cars when I was working in the law: a shiny, new luxury sedan, and a less sexy, much older practical vehicle. Now that I am an entrepreneur on a budget, I had to take stock of my wants and needs and admit that two cars was not necessary.  Oh, but it didn’t just stop there because I had to further assess whether I needed my beautiful, pricey, shiny toy, or if I just needed something reliable to get from point A to B.  So with much lament at first then slow acceptance, I decided to let go of the new car, with all its creature comforts and bells and whistles, and keep the practical vehicle.  If I’m truthful, I was ambivalent about making the choice until I was faced with the prospect of not having a car at all when I thought the practical car was going to need very costly repairs.  When those repairs turned out to be minimal, it became crystal clear that the luxury vehicle was a want and not a need. The thought of having no transportation, and relying on others to take me to meet my basic needs was unnerving. All of sudden I was just giddy to have an older, less sexy, practical  vehicle to get from point A to B.  I say this to caution that a very legitimate need can be converted into an unnecessary want when we attempt to justify purchasing or keeping an extravagant item in the name of necessity.  I get around just fine in my practical A to B car.