Needs Versus Wants in This Economy

It is hard to ignore the fact this economy is bad when the economy spills over into our needs and wants. The economy has not been as bad as it is now in the last 30 plus years. Most people who still have their jobs will turn a blind eye to the economic problems. How can you ignore the financial state of the United States when you cannot purchase the specific products you want?

Everyone has needs and some needs turn into wants. Is wanting a specific product a true need? We all need shoes. Do we need slippers or are slippers considered a want? For argument sake, let's say slippers are a need. Since you need slippers any slippers should work. Let's say you want a specific kind of slipper. The specific slipper then becomes a want.

The economy is so bad that lots of leisure items, such as a specific kind of slipper, are no longer readily available. Shopping for leisure items for Christmas turned into shopping for what was needed.

Check the local Wal-marts. They used to sell fuzzy, character, and print slippers. Wal-mart has not had these items since early last year. It is not that the slippers are just a Christmas or seasonal item; they are no longer sold because of costs and demands. Only items that make a high profit are still being made. The items that are bought the most are the ones that are being kept.

I was searching for fuzzy bear slippers for myself. Wal-mart no longer carries the slippers that are not just plain slippers. If you look in the children's section for slippers, you will find only the most popular slippers available. The economy is so bad my wants have changed to needs or maybe my needs changed to wants. I needed a pair of slippers and I wanted bear claw feet. My bear claw slippers became a want because they were not a necessity. I had to settle for regular slippers if I needed a pair of slippers. Needless to say, I am one of those people that will do without if I am not going to use the alternative.

The number of expensive jeans that are available has also dwindled. The stores are stocking up on the less expensive clothing that will make a profit and are still being purchased. Even the high end stores have changed their inventory. Where can a person go to buy what they WANT and need? EBay may be one of the only places a person can turn for their materialistic desires.