Difficulty: Explorer (Level 1)
Walking into a mall, you see shops selling tasty treats, colourful clothes, shoes, toys and more. It can be overwhelming to see so many options – especially if you do not have much money in your pocket.
Knowing the difference between “wants” and “needs” is key to shopping responsibly.
If you need something, it is important for everyday life. This includes food, clothes and stationery for school. If you want something, it is not essential. This includes snacks, toys and games. Some items fall in between – you need to eat food every day, but if you already have food at home, do you need to buy snacks from the convenience store all the time?
Having “wants” and “needs” is a normal part of life. But buying things you want should not come at the expense of things you need. Instead, you can save up money to afford what you want.
Is it a want or a need?
Fill in the chart below with a few things that you want or need to buy. If it falls in between, put it in the middle column.
Comparison shopping
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Pick one item from your list of wants and needs, and fill in the table below.
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Use the internet to look for prices.
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Try going to a nearby mall and looking for it there. You can ask the shop workers if their store sells what you are looking for.
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Then, compare the prices and choose the best option.
