Need vs Want
“Mom, I need…”
“Mom, I need some new Nintendo DS games.” “Dad, I need a new stereo for my car.” “Honey, the kitchen needs to be remodelled.” “Darling, the car needs replacing.” “We really need an overseas holiday.”
How often have we heard that word being spoken? Not so much the items themselves, but that word…yes, you know which word is being referred to here. The word “Need.”
Defining a True Need
The definition of the word “need” in the Oxford English Dictionary refers to something as being “completely essential, something that one cannot survive without.” I’m not sure if I’m perhaps missing something here, but since when were portable gaming consoles, designer clothing and expensive overseas trips classified as items that a person cannot survive without?
There are very few items in life that we cannot survive without. And no, we are not talking about that manicure or fancy restaurant dinner. Items which are classified as absolutely essential are food, shelter, clothing, transport and basic education.
Food is essential, yes. But a $100 meal at a restaurant is not essential. Fast foods and instant meals in a box are not essential.While it may be perfectly ok to indulge in a treat like this once in a while, making a habit of it will definitely blow your budget into oblivion. Not to mention that $100 would possibly be able to feed a family of four for close to a week. In most instances, preparing food and meals from scratch yourself is a lot cheaper than frozen dinners and fast foods, not to mention a lot healthier.
Preparing food from scratch is a great money-saver
Clothing is also an essential part of life.Designer clothing though, is not. Believe it or not, there are many times where non-designer brands actually outperformed their branded counterparts in the quality department. (I have in my possession a pair of store-brand trackpants that are 13 years old and still completely wearable).
In particular, children certainly do not need designer clothing, toys, shoes, backpacks or other branded items. I’ve seen countless babies and toddlers wearing branded clothing. This is an absolute waste of good money, because firstly, they are too young to actually read, so the designer label means sweet nothing to them and secondly, they grow so fast that within 3 to 6 months, they will grow out of the designer clothing just as fast as they will grow out of store-brand clothing. Playground equipment also doesn’t discriminate in that designer clothing will get just as badly soiled and ruined as store-brand clothing. Children cannot enjoy themselves and be children if they are constantly being told to be careful and not dirty their clothing or shoes.
Children (and adults) don't need branded clothing.
Collectible toys are also another headache on a budget-conscious parents’ list. Normally, marketers will promote them by means of an ultra-cheap ‘introductory offer.’ Once you’ve bought the first one, you don’t really give it a second thought until a fortnight later when your wallet is screaming after forking out some horrendously exhorbitant amount for the next one in the collection – only to discover that there are about six dozen of the blighters in the collection and the ads are telling your kids to “collect them all.”
Don't buy collectible toys for children.
Teach Children the True Meaning of the Word Need
On the topic of toys, since when did children need fancy gaming consoles, radio controlled cars, ipods and other electronic gadgets to make them happy or keep them occupied. Whatever happened to good old-fashioned getting off your lazy ass and playing outside?
Another topic which may ruffle a few feathers is that of expensive holidays. Don’t you find it strange (I know I certainly do) that the people who are always complaining that they never have money are always the ones who have to have what everyone else has? If the neighbours go to Disneyland, they have to take their kids to Europe, just to try and impress them.
If the neighbours do home renovations, you suddenly decide that your home renovations need to be bigger and better than theirs. Since when were additional TV lounges, games rooms, 4th and 5th bathrooms and second kitchens a necessity? Yes, they are nice to have, but they are not needs. A few decades ago, people actually shared a bathroom with their children (the horror! You mean they actually had to share things back then??) and simply ensured that the TV was off during dinner so that meaningful conversation could take place.
Sadly, I think many folk have forgotten the true meaning of the word need.
I’ve always advocated buying used items for children, especially very young children — used books, cribs, strollers, even used good-condition toys and clothes. They’re too young to appreciate “fine looks” and craftsmanship, and they’ll never know if their stroller was bought new or used. Why bother with the added expense?
I couldn’t have said it better myself, Paula. These days people put way too much emphasis on ‘decorating the nursery.’ I mean…c’mon, the baby doesn’t know any better as yet anyway…
In our city we created a toyary, a place where you can borrow toys. Families pay a membership fee. The volunteers at the toyary buy, repair, and clean the toys before lending them to the families.
We all love it! Children have toys that are new to them all the time, toys are used by a lot of kids instead of by one or two, and parents only pay a fee instead of having to buy new toys all the time!
That is also an excellent idea, Moira. Especially owing to the fact that children get tired of toys fairly quickly. That way, they have a constant variety of toys to use, and for a fraction of the cost of a single toy
We were so broke when we had our first kid that I bought a high chair, crib and car seat from garage sales. They were all innexpensive and in great condition. When I was done with them, I sold them at a garage sale for close to what I paid for them.
Kids are expensive enough without the designer labels and fancy brands.
You’re absolutely right, Bret. Especially at that age, kids will never know the difference between designer and used anyway. And often, the older stuff is a lot more sturdy than the flimsy designer cr*p anyway.
If you want me to advertise your brand name on my T shirt, you have to pay me for being your billboard!