I'm Genuinely Curious If You Think Of These 15 Common Things As Wants Or Needs

Tell me what you want and what you really, really need.

When you're making a plan for your money (aka a budget), it's a good idea to categorize your expenses into wants vs. needs. Doing this can help you prioritize what's the most important to you, and it's a very personal process. But it can also be really eye-opening to see how others divvy up their cash.

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Some expenses, like food and medication, are pretty obviously needs — you literally need them so you can live. Other things, like just-for-fun shopping trips and takeout, clearly fall into the wants category. But some expenses fall into a gray area where they might be either wants or needs, depending on where you live, what kind of work you do, and other personal circumstances.

For example, I have a $15-a-month gym membership that I see as more of a need than a want. Exercise plays a huge role in managing my anxiety, and I don't have space to work out at home. Plus, I have a history of skin cancer, so I need to be really careful about how much sun exposure I get. Because of these factors, having an indoor place where I can work out is super important to me. So I chose a basic gym with reasonable rates, and I go several times a week to get my money's worth. 

Thinking about how I categorize my wants vs. my needs got me really curious to know how other people see their expenses. So I rounded up some common purchases that could really go either way, depending on what *you* personally need.

For each of the items on this list, take the poll to let me know if it's a need or a want for you. There are no right or wrong answers, just honest ones.

Is there anything I missed? Share any other common expenses that could be wants but are needs for you in the comments! And just a reminder: Be curious but not judgmental about what other people need — you never know where others are coming from or what they're going through.

Looking for more stories about life and money? Check out the rest of our personal finance posts.