Needs and Wants

by Bushtots

What is the difference between a need and a want? Wants are things that are not vital to your well-being. Needs, on the other hand, are things that without which you will barely survive. Needs include things such as shelter, oxygen and food. Here is a fun way to save and learn how to spend money on things that you need instead of things that you want.

Activity: Penny Harvest

You can save anything from between five cents to one rand a day to put into a piggy bank or jar. It may not seem like a lot of money, but over time you can save a substantial amount especially if you ask your brother(s) or sister(s) to save with you. Near the end of each term or year you can count the money with your mum or dad. This is also an opportunity to learn math skills, e.g. estimation, counting strategies, counting money, trading up to different denominations of change, or arrays. After totaling the money, figure out what your room needs. Then figure out what you want e.g. an ice-cream party, new board game, or fancy stickers. Should you spend the money on what you need or what you want?

Tune in next Saturday as we continue the discussion and offer some tips on how to save your money for the things you want.