Page 12 - Book5E

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of your extended family. Take a computer for example. If you use a computer extensively to make a living, perhaps as a software developer, graphic designer, airline reservationist, medical transcriptionist, or advertising writer, then a computer is without question a necessity. On the other hand, if you only use it to play video games or balance your checkbook, then it’s likely a “nice to have” that you could live without. And on those occasions when you need a computer, you can access one at the library.
Or consider a television. Is it a need or a want? More often than not it’s a want, but one many people can afford. The problem arises when we think we need an expensive plasma screen TV with the accompanying cable or satellite channels and on-demand movie selections.
Also keep in mind that distinguishing between needs and wants isn’t limited to big-ticket items like a computer or a TV. Like the old saying goes, a little hole can sink a big ship. Espresso coffees every morning, ice cream, concert tickets, lottery tickets, going out for lunch most days, candy bars, magazines, chewing gum—they all add up. And all these out-of-pocket, spur-of-the-moment purchases, though seemingly