What Is Wants?

Wants are all the "extra-fun" things in your life that you really wish you had because they make you feel happy, excited, or super cool. These are the items that make your day more interesting, even though you would be perfectly fine and healthy without them.

For example, imagine you are walking through a store and see a brand new, shiny video game, a giant tub of double chocolate ice cream, or a pair of high tech sneakers that light up every time you jump. Those are all perfect examples of wants! You might also really want a ticket to see a big superhero movie on a giant screen, a brand-new set of colorful markers for your art projects, or a fluffy, oversized stuffed animal to keep on your bed.

Sometimes we want things because our friends have them and they look fun to play with, or because we saw a really neat commercial on TV that made the item look like the absolute best thing ever invented. Or sometimes when your in a friend group and everyone has a trendy thing except you, so you begged your parents to buy that thing so you will not feel left out.

Since most people don't have a giant mountain of money to buy every single toy, gadget, or treat they see, learning to identify your wants is like having a secret superpower. It helps you decide which things are your absolute favorites so you can focus on saving up your allowance for something truly special instead of spending it all at once on things you might forget about by next week.