Regardless of how much you earn. Desire say, “you need more”. “I want more. Give me more!” Rich or poor, no matter how hard we try, we will never fulfill our every desire. However, there is a difference between needs and desires. The key to satisfying needs is knowing the difference between needs and desires.

 What are desires? 

Desires are not a necessity. Desire is defined as a craving, longing, or yearning for something.  As when a pregnant woman craves a sour pickle. Or when you have a craving for ice cream, chocolate candy, or potato chips.  Neither satisfies a need. If you do not get it no one will suffer. Yet, the strong feelings that comes with desire compels us to satisfy it.

Then what are needs?

 On the other hand, need is defined as those things essential to life and health, such as food, water, clothing and shelter. Some have a problem distinguishing between desires and needs.

 Desire’s objective is to convince you to disregard your needs and fulfill your desires. Thus, we obtain desires at the expense of needs. This is what happens when, for instance:

• Desire compels you to go to the hair salon even though you have not paid your electric bill.

• Desire convinces you to throw a party, knowing you will not be able to pay your rent the following week.

• Desire says buy a $200,000 dollar home when you can only afford a $100,000 dollar home.

• Desire advises you to buy a car, when you know you cannot afford insurance, gas, or even general maintenance.

• Desire urges you to buy a Porche when you can only afford a Toyota.

• Desire pushes you to take a trip to Hawaii when you can barely afford to take a trip across town.

How do you master desire?

 Mastering desire requires that you have a plan.

1. For everything you earn, put a small portion aside. With patience and persistence, soon you will discover that you have enough for some of your desires. When you save you are increasing your capacity to fulfill some (not all) of your desires. Remember desires are unlimited.

2. Along with getting into the habit of saving, plan how you will spend the rest. In other words, yes prepare a budget. Include in your budget your basic needs such as food, shelter, utilities, transportation (etc.).  Also include in your budget a plan to pay your debts.

3.  Priorities your desires.  If you cannot fit the desire into your budget without cutting out your needs, then know that at this time you cannot afford it.

4. Finally, if you cannot afford it, do not cast aside your needs for the sake of your desires. Instead, include it in your savings and obtain it later when it is affordable.

 Our earnings are limited regardless of how much we earn, but our desires are unlimited. You will never be able to fulfill all your desires. So, chose wisely.