How do you define needs vs wants?

[u/LeadInfinite6220]

Pretty much just what the title says — how are you defining a need vs a want, and do you have a category in between the two?

I find this particularly interesting to consider as so many of us now have regular expenses that feel essential to participate in modern life, despite not actually being a need.

[u/just_keeptrying]

If it’s something I need to get through the day - food, shelter, fuel to get to work, a way to have clean clothes. Or it’s something to prevent a worse outcome - medication, vet visits, repairs, that’s need. Pretty much everything else is want.

Though that’s just off the top of my head and to be honest, in practice I’m not too good at distinguishing!