"The Wallet Test: A Story About Needs, Wants, and Desires"

Let me introduce you to Meera — a bright, ambitious 28-year-old working in the heart of the city. Meera had just landed her dream job at a multinational firm. The pay check was fat, the office had glass walls and great coffee, and life — at least on Instagram — looked perfect.

But beneath the surface, Meera was drowning.

Despite the six-figure salary, she ended each month with an empty wallet and rising credit card bills. she wasn’t living pay check to pay check. She was living dream to dream — new sneakers, high-end gadgets, exotic weekend trips. It was only when a bank rejected her car loan due to her rising debt that she had a sobering moment.

That night, Meera sat down and asked herself a simple question: Where was all her money going?

In the quiet of that evening, Meera remembered something her grandfather once told her:

“Your wallet will always tell you your priorities. Are you spending on what you need, or on what feeds your ego?”

So Meera started doing something radical — her categorized every expense.

• Needs — Rent, groceries, medical bills, her commute to work.

• Wants — Ther gym membership her rarely used, Friday dinners with colleagues, her OTT subscriptions.

• Desires — That premium smartwatch, designer shoes, and her last-minute trip to Bali she had put on EMI just to post beach pictures.

  
  

She was shocked.

It wasn’t that She was earning less. It was that She was spending mindlessly — choosing validation over value.

Ther next month, Meera did something different. She cut out all impulse purchases and stopped using her credit card for anything other than emergencies. She allowed herself a small budget for wants — a nice dinner or two, and some entertainment — but nothing more.

Within six months, she was out of debt. Within a year, she had saved enough to make a down payment of her own apartment.

But more than the numbers, something deeper had changed. Meera had found peace of mind. Because now, she controlled her money — her money no longer controlled her.

The money lesson everyone should learn from Meera isn't just about budgeting. It's about awareness.

We all have needs. We all crave wants. And yes, we all dream of desires. But the real power lies in knowing the difference.

So the next time you're about to swipe that card or click “Buy Now,” ask yourself:

• Is this a need, a want, or a desire?

• Can I afford it without borrowing?

• Will this purchase bring me lasting value — or just momentary joy?

Because at the end of the day, your money should serve you — not the other way around.

Master the art of intentional spending, and your wallet will stop whispering stress — and start speaking freedom.