In life, people are faced with wants and needs everyday. We have many variables that we need to put in account when we decide whether or not it is a want or a need. The variables that we may face range from financial, social, or environmental.
Our lives run on money, it dictates the activities we do. When an individual as less of disposable income it influences wants vs needs. A computer that looks very cool/interesting may fall into the wants because of the amount of income you have. Then on the other hand the more wealth may look at the same computer and feel like the item is a need because they may need it for a different use, as well as having more income.
The next variable that we may look at is a social one. When you go to the store with your friends and they buy some food that you wouldn't normally "need" you may feel a pressure to buy the product. You may have a need to fit in socially. Wants may change into needs with social influence.
Finally there is environmental variables. After learning about our carbon footprints through this website I have found that I s tand back and think, "do I really need to do this? Or do I really want this?" As a society we need to get educated on wants vs needs. With this knowledge we will be able to make better decisions not just environmentally, but financially and socially.