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Wants vs Needs Personal Finances A Look at Personal Consumption  Do you ever just stop to ask yourself, 'Do I need this?' or 'What would happen if I didn't buy this?' Would it be missed? Do I have room for it? Will I still want it tomorrow or in a week. Would I rather have that money for something else? Is there something I've wanted which I could save this money toward purchasing? If you're making a cake you will need the eggs and flour. So the purchase is reasonable and clear since you cannot make the cake without the eggs or the flour. If you see a gorgeous black shirt that stops you in your tracks the answer might be a little more muddled. Especially if you absolutely must have it! How many black shirts do you already own? If you didn't buy this one would your wardrobe go without or would your pocket book go without if you did buy it? Our society is bombarded with consumerism to the point that our finances and how we think about and interpret personal finances has been skewed. With the rush to own things as a way of determining our identity and self-worth sometimes we forget who we are and what is really important in life. When we have more control over our personal finances people often find more personal freedom and security as a result. So while you might very well love that fabulous black blouse handing in the store window there is a strong possibility that you already have at least a couple equally fabulous black blouses hanging in your closet. If you don't make the purchase you will most likely be no worse off while still having additional funds on hand which will most likely make you all that much happier in your personal life. That feeling of contentment will go along way the next time you see an absolutely fabulous article of clothing in the window as you realize that you've just walked by it, loving how beautiful it is, appreciating the opportunity to see such lovely things and knowing full well that your closet is already filled with all the wonderful things you need and that your personal finances are smiling back at you for merely enjoying that window display and keeping your money. We need food, shelter and clothing. That doesn't mean we need to buy everything gourmet, a home that is financially beyond our realistic means, or the entire women's (or men's) department at Nordstoms. It means we need enough food to stay properly nourished, a home within our means, and enough clothing so that if we are wearing the same pair of pants day-after-day it's a choice, not because they're the only pants we own. Consumption can be a dirty word and an obsessive behavioral pattern in a person's life. It runs rampant in our society. Personal consumerism is worth looking at. Would you be any less of who you are if you didn't own that green polka dot shirt that you might wear once. One of the problems people run into is when they spend more than they have and simply can't get a handle on their finances. It leads them to seek help through traditional loans and sometimes even cash advances. Think before you spend what you don't have. Ask yourself if the purchase is a 'need' or a 'want'. Then choose your purchases carefully because chances are the Jones will be moving on anyway so what they have versus what you have will be irrelevant... as should always be the case. 
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