Maslow’s pyramid highlights certain fundamental needs. Some are considered secondary, and in many people’s opinion, not very important. The debate about satisfying these needs rages on. Some people think it’s pointless to try to satisfy them, while others believe they’re unavoidable, and that you need money to satisfy them. What do you think?

I invite you to discover how to meet your secondary needs in this article.

Secondary needs: what are they?

The definition of secondary needs varies from one expert to another. In Maslow’s pyramid, they are defined as needs other than physiological and security needs (i.e., the needs of the last three levels). For example, owning a DVD, buying a luxury car or traveling every year are not really basic needs. These needs are secondary.

Does that mean your secondary needs aren’t really important? Not at all. To a certain extent, they are. But, since they’re identified as secondary, they shouldn’t take precedence over your most important needs. So, before you ask yourself how to meet your material needs, ask yourself this question: are my primary needs being met?

This question is crucial for a reason. According to psychologist Maslow, you can only devote yourself to secondary needs when you have no trouble satisfying your primary needs. If you do the opposite, you’ll quickly become frustrated. So the right question is: how can you effectively fulfill your primary needs?

The most urgent types of need

First and foremost, fill your most important needs. Consumerism may lead you to believe that you need a wide range of goods and services to be happy. But do you really?

“There’s so much money in modern society that no one should go hungry or be homeless. People attach too much importance to false values”.

Too much money doesn’t necessarily help meet those most important needs. Why not? Because these needs are quite simple, and can be summed up in 3 categories:

Eating
Housing
Clothing

Of course, I’m not saying it’s a bad thing to want to earn more money. I’m just saying that before you think about acquiring lots of secondary goods, make sure that the above-mentioned needs are met. In fact, we don’t necessarily need more than that to be happy. And it’s mainly these things that 3/4 of the world’s poorest people lack.

TAKE ACTION
To satisfy your main needs, you need to have a battle plan. Ask yourself: what’s really important in my life? Education? Pleasure? My career? As I mentioned earlier, your main needs are food, clothing and a decent home.

If you’re planning to own your own home, but can’t afford to, choose a rental. In the meantime, save some money to put together an application for a mortgage. Only then, when you have sufficient income, will you be able to buy your own home.

Another option is to stay with your parents if you’re young. This way, you’ll be able to raise the money you need to buy your own home more quickly. In this way, you satisfy an urgent need while thinking bigger.

On the other hand, if your income is falling, reserve your money for what’s really important: food. Use common sense: if your favorite restaurant is too expensive, don’t go there. Choose a less upscale place where you can eat to your heart’s content. Better still, get into the habit of cooking simple, healthy foods. This habit will be less costly and better for you in terms of nutrients and energy. Eating out is a secondary need. Eating well and to your heart’s content is a primary need.

BE WISE
Be wise about transportation too. The primary need is to get around. A car (or a subscription to a public transit service) is not an option. It’s a necessity. But what if you can’t afford the car of your dreams or first class on a train or plane? Well, make do with what you’ve got! The functionality of a means of transport takes precedence over its options. If you can buy a good-quality used car without missing out on the essentials, it’s a good deal. On the other hand, if buying an over-equipped car leaves you penniless to meet your main needs, it’s not a wise purchase. It’s simply an expression of pride.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY NEEDS: STAY BALANCED
If you want to meet your needs, make a distinction between primary and secondary needs. You need a place to live, so you need a house: but you can’t build your dream home on a small income.

What’s more, a study on the “happiness wage” shows something counter-intuitive: earning more money doesn’t necessarily make you happier!

So, if your income allows you to buy a small room, use the money you’ve got left over to spruce it up and make it a nice, comfortable cocoon. You’ll be satisfying your needs properly. If your income is higher, then it’s time to choose a bigger, more comfortable home. In any case, you should strive to live according to your basic needs first.

As a result, you’ll find it hard to meet 100% of your secondary needs. But that doesn’t mean you’ll necessarily be unhappy. The fact is, regardless of income, most people always want more and feel frustrated. Turn that around and be content with what you have. Satisfy your primary needs first, then think about your secondary needs. That way, you’ll never be frustrated. In fact, by satisfying your vital needs in the best possible way, you can enjoy life in a healthy way. In fact, some of life’s pleasures are relatively simple and accessible to everyone. These include hiking in the mountains, observing animals that contribute to happiness, a good meal with the family, playful arts such as painting and pottery, and a multitude of card or board games.

DON’T NEGLECT SECONDARY AND VITAL NEEDS
I’m not encouraging you to neglect the secondary needs that can become important, quite the contrary. Our situation is constantly changing. What was useful today often turns out to be accessory tomorrow, and vice versa. So analyze your needs constantly to make the right choices at the right time.

You can also analyze your current situation.

For example, you may need a car to get to work. If it’s necessary to buy one at the risk of reducing your income from food, you have to make that choice. Otherwise, you won’t have a penny left very soon! It’s all about balance. Sometimes, you have to choose between secondary needs that become vital and main needs that you can temporarily do without. In this case, you should satisfy your secondary needs first, but only if this effort is temporary.