The first step in budgeting is separating expenses that are essential for survival (Needs) from those that improve your life but aren’t necessary (Wants).
Category | Needs (Essentials) | Wants (Non-Essentials) |
Food | Basic staples: Atta (flour), Daal (lentils), vegetables, cooking oil. | Eating out at a fancy restaurant; daily high-end coffee shop visits. |
Shelter | Rent for a modest home; basic utility bills (electricity, water). | Upgrading to a much larger, unnecessary apartment; expensive cable TV package. |
Health | Basic medicines; vaccinations; necessary check-ups. | Expensive cosmetic treatments; unnecessary supplements. |
Transport | Bus fare; petrol/CNG for necessary travel to work/school. | Buying a brand-new car when a reliable used car is sufficient. |
Social/Culture | Necessary gifts for mehndi/shaadi (wedding) events; Zakat (required charity). | Buying multiple expensive new jora (outfits) for every small gathering. |
💡 Action Point: When you look at an expense, ask yourself: “Can I live without this, or is this necessary for my health and security?” Needs always come first.
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Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s