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Illustrated Dinner

Needs Vs. Wants

Needs Vs. Wants 

Needs (examples)

  • clothing

  • shelter

  • food

  • water

  • toiletries

  • education

  • healthcare

 

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How do you tell the difference between the two?

Wants (examples) 

  • smartphones

  • playstations

  • toys

  • CD's

  • TV

  • jewelry

  • vacationing

Venn.jpeg

Needs

Both

  •  Things in life you can't live or participate in certain things without 

  • Things that make your life much easier,  comfortable, and survivable

Wants

  • Both are useful to humans

  • Things in life that you wish for, or desire, but can function without

  • More than what you need (ex: if you need a form of transportation to go to work, a "want" would be an expensive sports car)

However, not everyone has the same needs, or even wants. One's needs can even be someone else's wants. 

  • Ex 1) James is on a professional soccer team, and needs a jersey with his team's logo on it. Eric, a student-athlete playing for his middle school soccer team, is a fan of James's soccer team, and wants to buy the same jersey that James has. In this situation, James's need is Eric's want. 

  • Ex 2) John works for a tech company and is required to select a specific IT approved/company provided new laptop. William, a scientist wants this computer for his personal research as well as his leisure. In this situation, John's need is William's want. 

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