Needs vs. Wants
Needs keep you okay; wants make life fun — and knowing which is which protects your money.
The idea
A need is something you must have to be healthy, safe, and able to get to school or work — food, a place to live, clothes that fit, the bus fare. A want is everything else: it makes life better, but skipping it won't hurt you. The order matters, because money you invest can only come from what's left AFTER your needs are paid. The bigger you let your wants get, the smaller that leftover pile becomes 🛒
Words to know
- Need
- Something you must have to stay healthy and safe, like food, a home, or a coat in winter.
- Want
- Something that's nice to have but you'd still be okay without it, like a new game.
- Leftover money
- The money still in your pocket after all your needs are paid for.
- Invest
- Putting money into something, like a small piece of a company, hoping it's worth more later. It can also go down.
Try it — no account needed
True or false? Swipe each card.
Rent, food and getting to school are needs.
In the full lesson
- 1True or false
- 2Work out the number
- 3Make the call
Vine has 107 lessons like this one, each written three ways so a 7-year-old and a 17-year-old both get a version that fits.
Practice with real prices
Real market data, pretend money. Learn how investing actually works without risking a cent.
Start free