Needs and Wants: Shopping on Main Street

Lucy is twelve years old. She lives in Riverton with her parents and her brothers, Jack and Max. Since the summer, Lucy has saved $60 from her birthday money and her pocket money. She wants to buy wireless earbuds, because all her friends have them.

But winter is coming early this year, and her coat from last year is now too small. The sleeves stop above her wrists, and the zipper will not close.

On Sunday, Lucy and Dad walk down Main Street. At the clothing store, a plain warm coat costs $40. Then Lucy looks through the window of the shop next door. A pair of wireless earbuds costs $50. She stares at them for a long time, and then she says, "I want those so much!"

Dad does not say no. He asks, "What happens if you don't get the coat, and what happens if you don't get the earbuds?"

Lucy thinks about it. She says, "Without a coat, I'll be cold every morning, and I might get sick. Without the earbuds, I can still use my old ones. I'll feel a little left out, but I'll be fine."

Dad smiles and says, "Then you already know the difference between a need and a want."

Needs and Wants

A need is something you must have to stay healthy and safe. Warm clothes are necessary in winter. A want is something that makes life nicer, but you can live without it. When you are not sure, ask, "What happens if I don't get this?"

Even a need can be simple. A plain coat keeps Lucy warm, and a famous logo only adds to the price. Wants are not bad, because they make life more fun. But money is limited, so needs come first.

Back to Main Street

Dad says, "Let's check the numbers." The coat costs $40 and the earbuds cost $50. Together, that is $90, and Lucy has only $60. She is $30 short, so she cannot afford both.

Lucy buys the coat. At first, she feels a little upset, because she thought the $60 was only for the earbuds. But now she has $20 left, and the earbuds need $30 more. She makes a plan. Every week, she will save $10 of her pocket money. After three weeks, she will have the $30.

That night, Lucy walks home in her new coat, and she is warm. Three weeks later, she returns to the shop with $50. She says, "The earbuds feel even better because I waited." Dad says, "Good plan."