Americans' definition of needs vs. wants is changing on clarkhoward.com

Recently while waiting at an airport gate, Clark was recognized by a young woman who wanted to discuss her money difficulties and credit card debt with the consumer champ.

During the conversation, the young woman paused to take a call on her iPhone. When she returned, Clark asked her how much her iPhone cost each month. She sheepishly confessed it was $130/month!

The penny-pincher suggested it would be a no-brainer for the woman to start getting ahold of her finances by dropping the phone and getting a cheaper one. But she wouldn't consider switching; in her mind, her iPhone was a necessity.

However, the things we consider to be necessities are changing, according to the Social and Demographic Trends Project of the Pew Research Center.

Here are some stats that caught Clark's eye:

• 49% of Americans say a cell phone is a necessity
• 23% say cable or satellite is a necessity
• 8% say a flat-screen TV is a necessity
• Nearly 50% say air conditioning is a necessity
• Some 40% say a microwave is a necessity

And what changes are Americans making in their spending habits?

• Some 66% are shopping at discount stores
• 30% are spending less on cigarettes and alcohol
• 25% are reducing or canceling their pay TV
• 25% are going to a less expensive cellular plan
• Some 20% are growing their own vegetables and doing their own repairs on their cars or home

What's a need and what's really just a want in your life? Write in below and let us know!

What others are saying

Life Style
I am trying to enjoy my life within my budget. Life is short but I am living responsively.

Cell phone : Yes, for real emergency cases.
Microwave : Yes, quicker way to heat foods since time is money.
Cable : No, hardly find time to watch all local stations.
LCD : No, high maintainence
A/C : Yes, makes me feel better and work effectively at work and home.
Internet : Yes, basic speed costs me $10/month. In return, I quickly find info I need, helps me to shop online more effective in order to save on gas to the store.
By John @ 05/28/09 05:19:01 PMreport abuse
TP
Socialism Sam is right on about phones! Go USSA! Also, toilet paper is a luxury, but it is extremely harmful to the environment and a big source of global warming. The government should outlaw it, or create a tax on volume of usage. In our house, we are going green and discontinuing its usage; we just keep plenty of hand soap "on hand".
By Socialism Stan @ 05/28/09 03:32:33 PMreport abuse
raised frugal
I use my microwave more than my oven/stove to save on electricity. I purchased my microwave second hand, from a friend who was moving, over 8 years ago. Still works just fine. I buy MBT style athletic shoes for under $30 from the Avon catalog (Avon cobrands these with Curves, and they are GREAT shoes!). I buy clothes from Haband (hard to find less expensive quality casual clothing anywhere). I am raising my own tomatoes. I have no cellphone and no internet access at home. I don't smoke or drink (never did) and I stopped buying softdrinks - I drink mostly filtered water now (I got a Brita pitcher for Christmas once, long ago). When shopping online, I check coupon web sites first, to make sure I get a discount. I sign up for email newsletters from online & offline merchants I favor, in order to receive more coupon discounts in future. I do all my own laundry at home, no dry cleaning. I buy whatever brand of dry cat food is on sale (my cats are used to having their food changed often, so they gave up protesting long ago!). I have an old analog TV that weighs more than I do. I got free coupons for digital converter boxes and used them on a web site I found at dealtaker.com to order 2 free digital converter boxes, didn't even have to pay shipping charges. I borrow books, music and dvds from the public library. I download free audio books from netlibrary.com. My parents are avid gardeners and always have more food than they can eat, so I often eat dinner at their house. I swapped out the incandescent light bulbs for CFLs in the rooms of the house I use most, and my monthly electric bill was sliced almost in half as a result. I heat water for my tea in a hot pot, rather than on the stove, to save electricity. I use baking soda to scrub the sink and kitchen counters, instead of expensive name brand cleansers.... Well, the list could go on and on and on...
By vlh @ 05/28/09 02:55:55 PMreport abuse
reply to how did you?
I use the internet at the library or free wifi around town.
By mary @ 05/28/09 01:56:11 PMreport abuse
Microwaves are good stuff
Microwaves are not evil luxury items. They can be purchased from the basic to the do-it-all. But using the stove and oven is not cheaper... microwave ovens use less electricity that traditional cooking/heating methods and save time. In the summer it won't heat up the kitchen causing your family to be hot or the AC to run extra.
By Teague @ 05/28/09 01:31:24 PMreport abuse
cell phones
I have a cell phone but for emergency use only. It's a pay as you go with no toots and whistles. It's there if I need it for an emergency. If someone needs me they will just have to wait until I get home.
By mary sp @ 05/28/09 12:38:58 PMreport abuse
How did you..
post without having an internet connection Mary?
By ? @ 05/28/09 12:03:09 PMreport abuse
cutting costs
I ditched the cell, cut the cable and the internet. I drag a space heater around and don't have AC where I live.
I go to the beauty college. Only buy what I need at big discounts if possibe. I Plan my driving to save on gas. I try to reuse. I have used the same vacuume bag now 4 times. I do as much home repair myself that I can.
I love to travel and I hope I don't have to give that up, but I am good at traveling cheap. Running is my exercise, shoes Asics Gels,$44.00 at Kohls. I carry no debt. My house is free and clear too. My biggest expense is insurance and college tuition for my children. 2 done, one has 2 years left. Priorities.
By mary @ 05/28/09 11:15:27 AMreport abuse
Cell phones to dial for help
Pat, I would imagine that many people have died because they could not call for help in time. If you were in a bad car accident, wouldn't you wish you had a cell phone? If there was a witness, wouldn't you be thankful that that person used their cell phone to call for help?
By z @ 05/28/09 10:36:46 AMreport abuse
Necessities
The big change is people cancelling their traditional landline telephones.
By John @ 05/28/09 10:32:10 AMreport abuse
Cell Phones
If a cell phone is such a important safety item, how did we survive without them for the past 150 years?
By patdesign @ 05/28/09 05:02:32 AMreport abuse
Necessities?
I don't have a cell phone. Don't have cable. Don't have a TV. Yes, I use A/C, but I use it judiciously because I live in Texas, and in the past I've lived without A/C as well. I do have a microwave, but could easily live without it. These items aren't necessities. It's just that most people don't remember what it was like before we had these things.
By Laura @ 05/27/09 10:23:42 PMreport abuse
home
to keep my home with a better payment plan, having my tv so i can keep up yard and fix my house by watching home and garden showes.
By diane naylor @ 05/27/09 08:01:38 PMreport abuse
For me it's...
Cell phone (safety)
AC (we live in the dessert)
Toaster Oven (keeps things crisp)
Computer (how did we live/work without it)
By Linda @ 05/27/09 05:43:53 PMreport abuse
necessities
Of the above "necessities" I only agree with AC. However, I'd have to re-learn how to reheat with an oven! And how would I get my Saturday morning fix of Clark without a satellite?
By flinnie @ 05/27/09 05:00:04 PMreport abuse
Phones are necessities
Clark, Everyone knows that phones are necessities. This is exactly why we need government issued phones for all freedom loving Americans. It is both racist and homophobic to think, speak or act otherwise.
By Socialism Sam @ 05/27/09 03:58:14 PMreport abuse

Life Style

I am trying to enjoy my life within my budget. Life is short but I am living responsively.

Cell phone : Yes, for real emergency cases.
Microwave : Yes, quicker way to heat foods since time is money.
Cable : No, hardly find time to watch all local stations.
LCD : No, high maintainence
A/C : Yes, makes me feel better and work effectively at work and home.
Internet : Yes, basic speed costs me $10/month. In return, I quickly find info I need, helps me to shop online more effective in order to save on gas to the store.

By John @ 05/28/09 05:19:01 PMreport abuse

Socialism Sam is right on about phones! Go USSA! Also, toilet paper is a luxury, but it is extremely harmful to the environment and a big source of global warming. The government should outlaw it, or create a tax on volume of usage. In our house, we are going green and discontinuing its usage; we just keep plenty of hand soap "on hand".

By Socialism Stan @ 05/28/09 03:32:33 PMreport abuse

raised frugal

I use my microwave more than my oven/stove to save on electricity. I purchased my microwave second hand, from a friend who was moving, over 8 years ago. Still works just fine. I buy MBT style athletic shoes for under $30 from the Avon catalog (Avon cobrands these with Curves, and they are GREAT shoes!). I buy clothes from Haband (hard to find less expensive quality casual clothing anywhere). I am raising my own tomatoes. I have no cellphone and no internet access at home. I don't smoke or drink (never did) and I stopped buying softdrinks - I drink mostly filtered water now (I got a Brita pitcher for Christmas once, long ago). When shopping online, I check coupon web sites first, to make sure I get a discount. I sign up for email newsletters from online & offline merchants I favor, in order to receive more coupon discounts in future. I do all my own laundry at home, no dry cleaning. I buy whatever brand of dry cat food is on sale (my cats are used to having their food changed often, so they gave up protesting long ago!). I have an old analog TV that weighs more than I do. I got free coupons for digital converter boxes and used them on a web site I found at dealtaker.com to order 2 free digital converter boxes, didn't even have to pay shipping charges. I borrow books, music and dvds from the public library. I download free audio books from netlibrary.com. My parents are avid gardeners and always have more food than they can eat, so I often eat dinner at their house. I swapped out the incandescent light bulbs for CFLs in the rooms of the house I use most, and my monthly electric bill was sliced almost in half as a result. I heat water for my tea in a hot pot, rather than on the stove, to save electricity. I use baking soda to scrub the sink and kitchen counters, instead of expensive name brand cleansers.... Well, the list could go on and on and on...

By vlh @ 05/28/09 02:55:55 PMreport abuse

reply to how did you?

I use the internet at the library or free wifi around town.

By mary @ 05/28/09 01:56:11 PMreport abuse

Microwaves are good stuff

Microwaves are not evil luxury items. They can be purchased from the basic to the do-it-all. But using the stove and oven is not cheaper... microwave ovens use less electricity that traditional cooking/heating methods and save time. In the summer it won't heat up the kitchen causing your family to be hot or the AC to run extra.

By Teague @ 05/28/09 01:31:24 PMreport abuse

cell phones

I have a cell phone but for emergency use only. It's a pay as you go with no toots and whistles. It's there if I need it for an emergency. If someone needs me they will just have to wait until I get home.

By mary sp @ 05/28/09 12:38:58 PMreport abuse

How did you..

post without having an internet connection Mary?

By ? @ 05/28/09 12:03:09 PMreport abuse

cutting costs

I ditched the cell, cut the cable and the internet. I drag a space heater around and don't have AC where I live.
I go to the beauty college. Only buy what I need at big discounts if possibe. I Plan my driving to save on gas. I try to reuse. I have used the same vacuume bag now 4 times. I do as much home repair myself that I can.
I love to travel and I hope I don't have to give that up, but I am good at traveling cheap. Running is my exercise, shoes Asics Gels,$44.00 at Kohls. I carry no debt. My house is free and clear too. My biggest expense is insurance and college tuition for my children. 2 done, one has 2 years left. Priorities.

By mary @ 05/28/09 11:15:27 AMreport abuse

Cell phones to dial for help

Pat, I would imagine that many people have died because they could not call for help in time. If you were in a bad car accident, wouldn't you wish you had a cell phone? If there was a witness, wouldn't you be thankful that that person used their cell phone to call for help?

By z @ 05/28/09 10:36:46 AMreport abuse

Necessities

The big change is people cancelling their traditional landline telephones.

By John @ 05/28/09 10:32:10 AMreport abuse

Cell Phones

If a cell phone is such a important safety item, how did we survive without them for the past 150 years?

By patdesign @ 05/28/09 05:02:32 AMreport abuse

Necessities?

I don't have a cell phone. Don't have cable. Don't have a TV. Yes, I use A/C, but I use it judiciously because I live in Texas, and in the past I've lived without A/C as well. I do have a microwave, but could easily live without it. These items aren't necessities. It's just that most people don't remember what it was like before we had these things.

By Laura @ 05/27/09 10:23:42 PMreport abuse

home

to keep my home with a better payment plan, having my tv so i can keep up yard and fix my house by watching home and garden showes.

By diane naylor @ 05/27/09 08:01:38 PMreport abuse

For me it's...

Cell phone (safety)
AC (we live in the dessert)
Toaster Oven (keeps things crisp)
Computer (how did we live/work without it)

By Linda @ 05/27/09 05:43:53 PMreport abuse

necessities

Of the above "necessities" I only agree with AC. However, I'd have to re-learn how to reheat with an oven! And how would I get my Saturday morning fix of Clark without a satellite?

By flinnie @ 05/27/09 05:00:04 PMreport abuse

Phones are necessities

Clark, Everyone knows that phones are necessities. This is exactly why we need government issued phones for all freedom loving Americans. It is both racist and homophobic to think, speak or act otherwise.

By Socialism Sam @ 05/27/09 03:58:14 PMreport abuse

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May 27, 2009 -- Americans' definition of needs vs. wants is changing

What others are saying