Learn about what's important to you and, if applicable, what’s important to your spouse.
Download, print, and complete the Financial Needs vs. Financial Wants worksheet as directed below.
Be sure to distinguish between the things you consider needs and wants:
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Complete this exercise by yourself, alone.
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If you’re married, have your spouse complete the exercise alone.
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Complete the exercise a third time together, compiling both of your lists and agreeing on needs, wants, and priority
levels until you both feel you are "pulling in the same direction.".
Consider these concepts
Limitations
Everyone has limitations. Limitations of time and money are the most commonly discussed. Even a wealthy person has limitations on
income and assets. It is a fact of life. If we put undue focus on these limitations, we then buy into the destructive concept of scarcity.
Scarcity
Scarcity is simply a misguided focus on our limitations. If we put undue focus on these limitations, we then buy into the destructive concept of scarcity.
Sufficiency
Sufficiency is an appreciation for the resources that we do have and a mindset that there is always enough, and to spare. It’s an attitude
that we have sufficient for our needs.
Embrace sufficiency
Reevaluate the results of the activity with the concept of "Sufficiency" in mind. Is there anything that you would change or think
of differently? Keep a completed copy of your final exercise available to remind yourself of what’s important to you.
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