Needs vs Wants

I think that students seem to think that there are so many additional items they consider needs. In my day the basic needs were food, clothing, shelter.  But students today seem to struggle with the idea of internet not being a basic need.  I have a daughter that recently moved out and is learning first hand about needs and wants. So far she is doing very well.  She also understands the concept of emotional purchasing.  I think it is important for students to have a basic understanding of needs and wants.  It is sometimes a difficult concept for students who have been given everything they have ever wanted.  

It is surprising what some people view as Need rather than Want. This course has talked about advertising, but one of the toughest sales pitches comes from the sales person (rather than a print or commercial advertisement) who does his/her best (usually following a memorized script) to convince a consumer that the consumer NEEDS this extra component or higher level of a product. The consumer wants a washer or dryer, for example, but the salesperson convinces him he NEEDS this digital version with 50 different settings +/-. Or any product with all the extra abilities and all the extended warrantees no one really needs. This is the world people of all ages experience. I especially feel sorry for older people or less informed people who don't understand and who believe that salespersons are correct in saying something is NEEDED. I feel so sorry for the consumer with little funding who has fallen for a high pressured sales pitch.