I Want To Need It

We live in a society where we say, "I need..." when in actuality, we should be saying, "I want..." Our perceptions of needs are dramatic. Like when someone says, "I need coffee," before they start doing their errands. No, you don't need coffee, you want it. We've redefined what needs are and it's getting out of control.

I used to be one of those people. I used to say, "I need coffee...or a Dr. Pepper." And back then (I sound like an old lady) a large soda at McDonald used to cost $1.09. I would justify my want by saying, "It only costs one dollar and nine cents." And to some of you, you'd say, "It only costs a dollar and nine cents, what's the big deal?" Well, for starters, I didn't need a large Dr. Pepper. Second, sometimes it wouldn't just be a Dr. Pepper, it would be a full meal for myself and the kids. The same thing happens at a popular coffee place. What starts out as a $4 coffee turns into a $12 total for a coffee, chocolate milk, and a cake pop.

And I'm not saying you can't have delicious treats. I'm saying we turn our wants into needs to justify our wants to make us feel better by spending money we don't need or have to spend.

Does that make sense?

I'm not against buying a treat every now and then. What I am against is the inaccurate definition of need. I find myself saying need, too! And I believe it really goes back to us trying to justify our wants.

It's a lack of discipline, too. We want what we want. We won't let anyone, and heaven forbid, our spouse, to tell us, "You don't need that." It's a hard conversation to have, but it's one that's needed (this is a real need.) We let our wants become our needs and not only does that mess up our discipline but that messes with our finances, too. It's a vicious cycle.

Friend, we need to make wise decisions -- with our time, relationships, material items, money, etc...We live in a society that prioritizes material items. We've put an importance on things over people and we wonder why we feel lonely.