Needs and Wants

The difference between a need and a want is very personal. It often depends on the person and the situation. Some people's needs can be other people's wants. For example, one person may want to have a dog to play with, while another person who is blind may need to have a dog to help them go about their daily life.

Some things can be used to satisfy both a need and a want. For example, a radio can be used to listen to music (a want) or to listen for emergency information (a need).