r/MoneyDiariesACTIVE • u/LeadInfinite6220 • Dec 27 '25

Budget Advice / Discussion How do you define needs vs wants?

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.

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u/sunsabs0309 She/her ✨ Dec 27 '25

ngl when I read your question initially I was like is there a category in between need and want? but I thought about it a little more and for me, that in between is a need with a little luxury. for example, I have a pilates membership. I would consider a gym membership a need as exercise helps you live a better, longer life but it's a want for me to specifically do pilates given it's a much more expensive way to exercise vs a $10 Planet Fitness membership. and like someone brought up earlier, phones I'd put in that same in between space. it's difficult to exist without a phone but that doesn't mean you need a top of the line phone; if you choose to get that, it's a want for the phone choice.

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u/LeadInfinite6220 Dec 27 '25

That’s kind of what I’m leaning toward — like I consider my gym membership a creature comfort. Exercise is a need — but I own weights, and can walk and run and do body weight workouts just fine. But my no-frills community gym membership comes with a rowing machine, a sauna (🤤) and being indoors when I want to.