Needs versus Wants

This tool provides a graphic illustration to convey the idea that many of our major life decisions are based on our wants - not our minimal needs. Therefore it doesn't make sense to target the least possible effort to accomplish our desired goals.

Clicking the screen will reveal images and a slider for transportation, housing, and education (in succession). The slider starts in the middle and can be adjusted left or right by dragging the slider's thumb, clicking the slider's track, or clicking on the desired image.  The transparency of the needs vs. wants images will reflect the selection (fully visible = selected)

Today we're going to talk about Life Insurance.  First, I want you to understanding something. I look at life insurance a whole lot different than most people. Most people see life insurance as a need product - you buy it because you need it to protect you from something, just like you did your car insurance and homeowners. I don't see it as that at all. I think it's a want product - let me explain.

We've got needs on the left and wants on the right.

Would you say the car you drive is closer to needs transportation? I mean it's just one step up from having to take a bus? Or wants, knowing there are nicer cars than the one you have, but actually picked it out and chose it. Is this a wants decision or a needs decision?... (usual response wants)

The house you live in, would you call it HUD housing, as in the federal government looked at it and said "that's a house"; is that what you chose? No, it's a wants decision isn't it?

The education you plan to provide for your children, would you say that all you're willing to consider is what the federal government and your state dictate meets needs educational requirements or are you going to send them to schools of choice?  Which one are we at there? Needs or wants?

Now... let me get this straight, as long as you're here, your kids are going to go to the best schools. They're going to ride in the safest cars, and when they come home, they are going to come home to the finest homes in the neighborhood. But in the event you're not here, we need to do a needs analysis and try to figure out what's the least amount you can do... that doesn't make any sense does it?

No math is presented on this screen.