9/23/2008

The Need Meter


Wants. | Needs.

There's a line between them (literally and figuratively). Sometimes, that line can get blurred or glossed over altogether. How do you decide where that line is? How do you decide what is a need and what is a want? When does a need become an emergency? Better yet, how do you effectively communicate that to your spouse and others?

We have something that might just help with that... The Need Meter©.

Through years of research, experiments, and testing, Not the Jet Set Labs has developed this handy, pocket-sized device for determining and communicating a need from a want from an emergency. It's lightweight, drool-proof, impact and tantrum resistant.

Dishwasher-safe, the Need Meter goes anywhere! Car dealerships, electronics stores, even the cereal isle at the grocery store! Let's say you're online, looking at a sweet digital camera. Yours is ka-put, but since a friend lent you their old one, you are not without. What to do? Simply look at your Need Meter©, and think, "Do I really need this, or do I just want it really bad?"

1-7 is the 'Want' range, 8-10 are 'Needs', and 11 (yes, it goes to 11) that is what you call an 'Emergency'.


It slices and dices your whining, even makes Julienne fries! Sometimes it is a need. Many times it's just a want. Either is ok. Really. We just need to be honest about it - to ourselves and our spouses. Take that camera for example. Maybe you really want it, but you know it's a 'want' - that's maybe a 5 for you. Your wife looks at it and says, "But we have that one, it will get us by for now". It's more of a 2 to her. There may be something else that is far more important to her, say replacing a leaky faucet. That's an 8 to her. It will be tough to splurge on a digital camera when there is something like that showing up on her Need Meter©.

But wait! There's more! Reply now, and you'll not get just one Need Meter© - but 6 Need Meters©! Keep one in the car, one in the boat, one in the airplane, and one in your purse. Give one to the kid heading off to college, one to someone just learning to handle money, also makes a great wedding gift!

The Need Meter©.
Get yours today!

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Wonderful post! I love it when an important idea is presented with humor. Thanks for the grins and giggles ... I'll certainly remember your post ... and use it ... the next time I think I must have something.

Small Footprints
http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you need.

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