If you’re like many people, you’re in the dark about your finances. You pay your bills each month and do your best to prepare for the future. But the truth is, there’s only so much money to go around and preparing for the future can be overwhelming.

One of the most important building blocks in establishing a firm financial foundation is determining the difference between “wants” and “needs.” Sounds simple, doesn’t it? A “want” is something you don’t require for basic survival and a “need” is something you must have to live. Yet, sometimes it can be hard to tell where a “want” begins and a “need” ends – especially where immediate family is concerned. Financial health is all about the choices you make over the long term.