Money Wonders
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Spending & BudgetingBudgeting

Needs, Wants and the Gray Zone

Rent is a need. A bigger apartment might not be

Rent is a need. So is food. Then why does your month feel so expensive? The answer hides in between.

You'll find out

  • Which purchases are really needs
  • Where a want hides inside a need
  • Why the same car changes basket

Why it matters

Every budget starts by telling needs from wants, and most of a month is neither.

About 3 min6 interactive slides · 5 questionsLesson 28 · Zone 4

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Previous lessonThe Ice KingNext lessonThe 50/30/20 Budget

More in this zone

  1. 29BudgetingThe 50/30/20 BudgetHalf for needs, a third for wants, a fifth for the future
  2. 30PricingWhy Prices End in .99$4.99 feels a lot cheaper than $5.00
  3. 31Recurring CostsThe Subscriptions That Never SleepSmall monthly charges add up to a big yearly bill
  4. 32Spending PsychologyThe Pain of PayingCards hurt less than cash, so we spend more
  5. 33Delayed GratificationThe Marshmallow TestKids offered one treat now or two later showed how hard waiting is, and later studies found the setting matters as much as willpower
  6. 34Smart SpendingCost Per UseA $200 coat you wear daily can cost less than a $40 one you never do
  7. 35BudgetingWhere Did My Month Go?Your spending, drawn as a picture
  8. 36Retail DesignThe Gruen TransferMalls are designed to make you forget why you came

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Money Wonders

Learn how money really works. A learning game by TCK Systems.

Also by TCK SystemsTech WondersBig ideas for curious minds.

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Zones 20

  • 1Origins of Money
  • 2The Rat Race
  • 3Business Basics
  • 4Budgeting Basics
  • 5Compound Interest
  • 6Debt & Credit
  • 7How Banks Work
  • 8Inflation Basics
  • 9Risk & Insurance
  • 10Stock Basics
  • 11Bond Basics
  • 12Index Funds
  • 13Rent or Buy
  • 14Crypto Basics
  • 15Bubbles & Scams
  • 16Money & Happiness
  • 17Gold & the Dollar
  • 18Pay & Benefits
  • 19Starting a Business
  • 20Lifestyle Creep

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