Differences between necessities, comforts, and luxuries and how they have changed over time

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Differences between necessities, comforts, and luxuries and how they have changed over time

Wants are divided into necessities, comforts and luxuries. There are differences between the two in that; necessities are needs, while comforts and luxuries are wants. Necessities wants are necessary for maintenance of life that an individual cannot do without. These include, shelter, food and clothing. On the other hand, comforts and luxuries are needed to sustain life and improve standard of an individual life. Example of luxuries includes expensive houses, television and cars. However, person’s needs, comforts and luxuries have drastically changed depending on financial situation, country economy and individual taste.  Over a time, these wants have changed in their different necessities.

For instance, water is a commodity required for survival. However, some people may prefer soda to water although not a necessity for survival. This is ironical because many people prefer taking soda despite of complications it causes on kidney and other organs in the body. Therefore, water being a vital commodity that purifies the body it has been ignored by many thus being replaced with soda.

Necessities have changed over a time in that it has advanced into luxuries. Sixty years ago, families had what was required for survival this included, simple houses, food, and clothes, which were mostly traditional dresses, made from sisals. However, this has changed over a time. For instance, this classification has improved to the point it has been classified as luxuries. The things that were classified as simple necessities have changed to absolute expensive houses, clothing and shelter.

The luxury of one-generation may be a necessity to another generation. For instance, electricity was a luxury to our ancestors but to our generation it has become a necessity to extend of many businesses operating with electricity. Having financial differences between the rich and the poor, what is considered as a necessity to the rich is considered as luxury to the poor. For example, rich have considered car as being a necessity to the point many have highly prioritize it. Contrary, poor have regarded it as a luxury.

As individuals, we need to make choices in which want or need that yield the highest satisfaction. Choices have led many to prioritize one thing that is viewed as a luxury to what is regarded as basic commodities. Over a time, an alcoholic have preferred to go without basic commodities like food in order to satisfy his craving for alcohol. Additionally, a drug addict has used a lot of money on drugs compared to basic requirements. All these people are making demerits choices on enjoying one commodity at the expense of another.

Scales of preference have made many to satisfy some wants before paying attention to others. Economists have argued that, each individual has his own scale of preference through which his wants are arranged in order of priorities. For instance, on the addicted cigarette smoker, cigarette may be his or her first priority whereas eating well may be placed lower within the scale. Wisdom of prioritizing wants have not been important thus many opting to satisfy first what should be placed lower in the scale.

Through advancement of technology, our lives have changed. For instance, advancement in communication has contributed too many individuals having an access of phones, computers just to name a few to enhance effective communication.

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