Skip to main content

Teaching Kids the Difference Between Need and Want

1 min read
Teaching Kids the Difference Between Need and Want

Learning the basic difference between need and want is a skill that your child will carry with him or her well into adulthood. Knowing how to differentiate between the two can help both with your budget today and your child’s future financial success.

Teaching the difference between need and want can be difficult in some circumstances. As a parent, you want to enable your child to have everything they want in life. However, it’s also important to learn how and when to say no to your child, too.

The perfect opportunity to teach your child the difference between need and want is when they ask you for something new.

Do you need this item?

A “need” is something that you absolutely cannot live without. Examples of needs include:

  • Food and water
  • Transportation
  • Shelter
  • Clothing

A “want” is something that you would like to have, but you could survive without it. Examples of wants include:

  • Candy or soda
  • Toys
  • New sporting equipment
  • Designer-brand clothes

When your child asks for something new, answer their request with this simple question: Can you continue living without this item? If the answer is yes, then this item is not a necessity.

How to determine if something is a need or a want

PBS Kids suggests having your child write a list of the things that they believe are necessary for their day-to-day life. Then, ask them why they believe these items are necessary. Ask your child to write down a list of the things they want as well, and ask why he they want these items. Guide your child to adjust their mindset if they have categorized anything incorrectly.

For example, if your child says that they need a brand-new, designer-label jacket to stay warm in the winter, point out that while it’s correct that a jacket is a necessity, the designer-label is a nice-to-have item, rather than a requirement.

Was this article helpful?
0%
100%
View All Lifestyle & Parenting Tips Articles

Swipe to see our products & get a free quote

Term Life
Term Icon

Term Life Insurance

Adults 18-70

Flexible coverage at a price that’s right for you.

Whole Life
Whole Icon

Whole Life Insurance

Adults 18-70

Keep it for life and build cash value.

Guaranteed Life
Guaranteed Icon

Guaranteed Life Insurance

Adults 50-80

Coverage for adults between 50 and 80 years old.

Accident Protection
Accident Icon

Accident Protection

Adults 18-69

Help protect loved ones without busting your budget.

Grow-Up
Grow-Up Icon

Grow-Up® Plan

Children 14 and under

Valuable protection that grows with your little one.

College Plan
College Icon

Gerber Life Insurance College Plan

Children 18 and under

Safe, secure and easy way to help pay for college.

Term Icon

Term Life Insurance

Get a free instant quote

Your quote

Get a Free Quote

Have you used tobacco? *

* Indicates required field
** Currently not available in New York

Still want to learn more, view our product page for more information.

Whole Icon

Whole Life Insurance

Get a free instant quote

Your quote

Get a Free Quote

Have you used tobacco? *

* Indicates required field
** Currently not available in New York

Still want to learn more, view our product page for more information.

Guaranteed Icon

Guaranteed Life Insurance

Get a free instant quote

Your quote

Start here. It's easy!

Let us customize a Guaranteed Life Insurance quote just for you.

* Indicates required field

Still want to learn more, view our product page for more information.

Accident Icon

Accident Protection

Get a free instant quote

Your quote

Get a Free Quote

Just enter the state you live in to get an instant quote.

* Indicates required field

Still want to learn more, view our product page for more information.

Grow-Up Icon

Grow-Up® Plan

Get a free instant quote

Your quote

Get Your Free Quote Now

See how little it costs to help protect your child

* Indicates required field

Still want to learn more, view our product page for more information.

College Icon

Gerber Life Insurance College Plan

Get a free instant quote

Your quote

Start here. It's easy!

Tell us about yourself, and we'll customize a plan just for you:

Child's Age *
Relationship to Child *
Your Age *

* Indicates required field

Still want to learn more, view our product page for more information.

Get inspired with our free e‑newsletter for parents

Get our free parenting e‑newsletter with:

– Parenting advice

– Money-saving tips

– Life insurance blogs

No thank you

By signing up, you agree to occasionally receive emails from Gerber Life. Unsubscribe at any time. View our privacy policy.

We’d like to notify you about updates, videos, new products and more.

Notifications can be turned off at any time in your browser settings.