Name:
Answer the following question before you watch the video or read the article
1. Describe 3 the items you currently spend money on.
Needs vs. Wants: A key part of creating a budget that works for you is distinguishing your needs
from your wants. Watch this video to learn more about the two. Then, answer the questions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyuU4wFIz3o
2.
When deciding if you should buy something, what can you ask yourself to determine if the item is a
need or want?
3.
Why do you think people spend so much money on their wants despite the financial costs?
CARTOONS: Needs vs. Wants
One of the foundations of creating a realistic budget that you can stick to is identifying what you truly
need and want. While this might sound simple, it can be difficult at times to recognize the difference
when you’re considering a purchase.
In this activity, you will pick one of the cartoons provided below and analyze how that cartoon depicts
the struggle of identifying what is a need versus a want.
Part I: Choose a Cartoon
Select one of the cartoons provided below to analyze.
Cartoon 1
Cartoon 2
Cartoon 3
Cartoon 4
Part II: Analyze Your Cartoon
Use what you know about needs vs. wants to analyze your cartoon and answer the questions below.
4. Which cartoon did you select?
5. In one or two paragraphs, write an analysis of the cartoon you chose and the message it conveys
about needs vs. wants. Use the questions below to guide your response:
 What message does this cartoon deliver about the struggle of identifying needs vs.
wants?
 How does this cartoon portray that message?
 Did you find this cartoon persuasive? Why or why not?
 Bonus: What other techniques could the cartoonist have used to make this cartoon
more persuasive?