Why do some people want more money than they need?
2006-11-07 04:23:54 · 6 answers · asked by Barbara Doll to you 7 in Social Science ➔ Economics
We are a very rich nation so I believe that we should be content with what we have. As far as entertainment and socializing with other people.. that's more of a culture issue. For example.. most of us go out to eat then go to a bar and listen to live music and drink a little. Why can't we just all get together at friends' houses, make our own food, and perhaps someone play the guitar?
I would be more content with that than being surrounded by strangers constantly. Your entertainment could be cheaper if you think of different ways to go about it. Also we have become so accostumed to buying things we don't need, the line blurs a little. We don't NEED ipods.. or the 5 dollar starbucks.. or the tommy hilfiger jeans.. or the huge house.. it's just stuff we think we need.
Find contentment in friends and family.
2006-11-07 05:29:26 · answer #1 · answered by nothingconstant 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure whether that's an Economics of a Psychology question.
First of all, your definition of what you need, isn't necessarily what my definition of what I need is. So you are asking why some people want more money than what you think they need, imposing your yardstick on them. To them their needs are just different from your definition.
Secondly, from the point of view of Economics 101, we have limited means but unlimited wants, and the wants are what drive us to accumulate.
Needs and wants are different; basic needs are stuff we need to live. However the distinction between needs and wants is not clear cut; it depends on many things such as climate, culture, standard of living you are used to.
And the last point is the key. Once we are used to something, it is no longer a want, but becomes a need. I need to spend $5 for a cup of coffee when I can get one for 80c albeit in a different cup and environment. I need to go to the pub at least twice a week even if I have cold beer and a hifi set at home...
Just look back at what your needs are today, compared to the years you were schooling, or were a poor student in the University...
How this relates to your question about being contented is that I might be contented if my needs are met, and have so spare for any want that might catch my fancy. However, as wants become needs, (and the list of needs grows), it's a race to achieve contentment. So even if all of today's needs were to be free, I'd find new needs by taking from my unmet wants...
2006-11-07 20:46:06 · answer #2 · answered by ekonomix 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NOTHING in life is free, I thought everyone knew that. People always want more money than they have or need so that they can buy more of what they have and need. Just watch people at a `free` buffet, see how some will be first to the table pile their plates high with everything that will fit on , and then leave some uneaten to be wasted, they wanted more and took more because, as my beloved grandmother Catherine used to say
"Their eyes are bigger than their bellies" !
2006-11-07 19:45:38 · answer #3 · answered by Social Science Lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's a good thought. Since we are American's no matter how much is free we will never be content with less money.
2006-11-07 14:32:27 · answer #4 · answered by Robin M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No because if our entertainment was free then the prices of other items would go up because the government would be losing money and since the gov. puts taxes on everything they have to bring in some of that money then through other materials....it's crazy really...lol.
2006-11-07 12:27:37 · answer #5 · answered by chris c 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NOT I... I rarely do anything entertaining that costs me money... spending time with my family is FREE and more fun than anything else out there.
2006-11-07 18:09:05 · answer #6 · answered by Kitty 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋